Overview
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtTZwtOhPCM
 This video outlines:
 The two different approaches to quoting (Peppering and
Block Quotes)
 How to introduce a quote
 How to format a quote
 How to analyze or explicate a quote
Literary Analysis
 What to include in literary analysis:
1.
2.
3.
Statements expressing the student’s own ideas about the text.
Evidence from the text to support these ideas (either
summarized, paraphrased, or quoted).
Analysis of how the evidence supports the student’s
interpretation.
Ideas
Evidence
Analysis/Explication
Example of the 3 Components
of Literary Analysis
Prince Edward’s descent from riches into poverty also attacks the
supposed benefits of poverty. Edward, sheltered from violence all his
life, is suddenly thrust into a brutally violent world. In fact, while
Tom enjoys casting off his beatings onto a whipping boy (Twain 76),
Edward’s initial experience of poverty is of receiving a “sounding box
on the ear that sent him whirling to the roadway” (Twain 19). When
Edward desperately searches for Tom’s home, expecting to find
welcome relief from the cruelties he has suffered, he unexpectedly
encounters more violent suffering. Not only is Edward beaten by
John Canty, but he witnesses the beating of Tom’s sisters and mother
as well (Twain 48). The home is associated with familial protection
and love. That Edward, his mother, and sisters are attacked in such a
place, and by a family member nonetheless, destroys the last sense of
security and peace of the poor. Violence invades their home lives,
leaving them with no escape from brutality.
When & Why to Quote
 When the language in a quote is especially compelling in
proving your point
 Benefit:
 Literary analysis requires you to look closely at a text’s
language
 Specific support = more convincing
 For example:
 What type of quotes would you look for if you were trying to
discuss the significance of machine imagery in Cuckoo’s Nest?
Less is more
 Peppering method:
 Specific words
 Specific phrases
 Good for linguistic patterns
 Example:
 While Twain’s depiction of this social inequity, through
Huckleberry Finn, is not as harsh as his portrayal in The
Prince and the Pauper, there are times when the grim reality
of Huck’s destitution becomes apparent. For example,
his dress is described as the “cast-off clothes of fullgrown men” and “rags” (Twain 51). His hat is “ a vast
ruin” and his pants have “fringed legs [that] dragged in
the dirt when not rolled up” (Twain 51).
Sometimes More Text is
Needed
 Quoting entire sentences or multiple sentences
 Sometimes a word or two just doesn’t cut it
 Must use “sandwich” or “hamburger” method
 Example:
 Furthermore, instead of being cast out by society, others tend to
his every need. For instance, an excessive number of people
dress him: “[A] shirt was taken up by the Chief Equerry in
Waiting, who passed it to the First Lord of the Buckhounds,
who passed it to the Second Gentleman of the Bedchamber,
who passed it to the Head Ranger of Windsor Forest, who
passed it to the Third Groom of the Stole…” (Twain 71). This
list extends for another seven lines. Twain’s exaggeration here
highlights the excess attention the wealthy receive, thus
sharpening the contrast of the rejection of the poor.
Hamburger Method:
Overview
Introduce
Quote
Analyze
*Hamburger Method = Evidence and Analysis (of Literary Analysis)
Graphic Representation
Literary Analysis
1. Your
idea/interpretation
Topic Sentence or
development of idea in topic
sentence
2. Evidence (H.
method)
1. Introduce
1. Quote
3. Analysis (H.
Method)
Discussion of how
quote proves your
idea
Step 1: Introduce
 Provide Context
 What is the basic scene?
 Under what circumstances does the quotation appear?
 Is a character speaking? Which one? To whom? Why?
When? About what? How is he/she speaking?
 Is this narration? If so, what is the narrator describing?
Introduce: Example
When the Holy Grail finally appears to Lancelot at a
secluded chapel, he is only able to glimpse the religious
vessel. For the majority of the Holy Grail episode,
Lancelot remains in a dreamlike, immobile state
(Context): “Whether because he was so overcome with
fatigue or because he was weighed down by the sins he
had committed, Lancelot did not move or react at all
when the Grail appeared” (326).
Introducing Terms
Add
Remark
Exclaim
Announce
Reply
State
Comment
Respond
Estimate
Write
Point out
Predict
Argue
Suggest
Propose
Declare
Criticize
Proclaim
Note
Complain
Note
Observe
Think
Step 2: Quote
 Quote using either:
 The Peppering Method  More fluid
 The Block Method
Step 3: Analyze/Explicate
 Your explanation of how the quote proves your
idea/argument
 Most important part
 DON’T let a quote stand for itself
 Relies on assumption
Analysis/Explication:
Example
(IDEA) For example in The Quest for the Holy Grail, of the Vulgate
Cycle, Lancelot’s love for Guinevere prevents him from successfully
completing the adventures of the Holy Grail. (INTRO TO QUOTE)
When the Holy Grail finally appears to Lancelot at a secluded chapel,
he is only able to glimpse the religious vessel. For the majority of the
Holy Grail episode, Lancelot remains in a dreamlike, immobile state:
(QUOTE)“Whether because he was so overcome with fatigue or
because he was weighed down by the sins he had committed,
Lancelot did not move or react at all when the Grail appeared” (326).
(ANALYSIS) Interestingly, the text cites Lancelot’s “sins” as a
potential cause of his stupor. His greatest sin is, of course, his affair
with the married Guinevere. Thus, his love for her prevents him from
securing the Holy Grail.
Your Turn!
 We will practice the skills of Literary Analysis and
Explication together with the worksheet I gave you.