EA 1.2 Literary Analysis Paper
What is literary analysis?
Literary analysis is examining and evaluating a work of literature. As with any close examination,
you must break down the text into smaller parts in order to examine different elements of the text.
When you look at the smaller parts of the text, it will help you understand the text better as a whole.
The ultimate goal of analysis is to break down the text into small parts, examine each part, and then
make a bigger conclusion about the text as a whole.
When analyzing a short story, it might include identifying a major theme in the story. Then, you
will show how the author is able to suggest the theme through the mood of the story, the symbols used
through the story, the attitude and dialogue of the characters, etc.
Objectives
After reading the short story “Harrison Bergeron,” you will write a literary analysis essay that
examines three to four literary devices and the importance they play to a larger idea or topic in the
story.
You will choose a “stance” on either of these stories, or what you will set out to prove.
Example: The battle between good and evil in “Old Man Gone” shows the danger of excessive
selfishness.
In the short story “Old Man Gone”, the writer is picking out details in the text to support the
danger of excessive selfishness. They will show this through three or four literary devices.
Requirements
Your paper will include:

An introductory paragraph
In your introductory paragraph you will introduce your ONE focused, central idea. You will also
introduce your THESIS statement.

Body paragraphs (3-4)
Each body paragraph is used to build support for your thesis. You will do this by using 3-4 literary
elements we covered as supporting evidence. *each literary element should be separated into its own
paragraph (mood, tone, setting, irony, diction, imagery, organization, syntax, POV, theme, motif,
allusion)

A concluding statement
Give your readers a sense of finality to your paper. You will restate your thesis in different words and
likely go over your main points. Do not introduce a new idea or topic. You want to leave your readers
with a sense of conclusion at the end.

MLA Citations (both in text and a works cited)
Part-By-Part, Piece-By-Piece: Literary Analysis Components
Introduction
In your introductory paragraph you will introduce your ONE focused, central idea. You will also
introduce your THESIS statement.
The introduction should try and get the attention of your reader. Open your introduction with a
hook: a quote, a startling statement, a provocative question, an anecdote, or a combination of these.
You may also want to include some background information that is important to your thesis so your
reader won’t be confused. Lastly, it is important to give the title of your short story and state the
author’s name.
Thesis Statement
Included in the introduction is the thesis statement. All roads lead to the thesis statement! It is a
declarative statement that gives the purpose of your essay. It is the point you are trying to prove
throughout your entire essay! If you do not write a good thesis statement, your essay stands no real
chance 
Your thesis statement is best given at the END of your introductory paragraph.
Body Paragraphs
Your body paragraphs are used to build support for your thesis statement. First…
 Topic sentences: One professor told me, “Every topic sentence you ever write should be able to
point back to your thesis statement!”
A topic sentence is usually the first sentence in a paragraph. The topic sentence gives one of your
topics (in this case a literary element) and describes how it is related to your thesis. The topic sentence
does two things:
1) Ties details of the paragraph to the thesis.
2) Ties details of the paragraph together.
Within your body paragraphs you will have summaries, paraphrases, explanations, quotations, and
specific details to support and develop your topic sentence. Each topic sentence will likely be about a
literary element (ie: how mood in “Harrison Bergeron” works to support your thesis statement). Then
throughout the body paragraph, you will prove how mood in “Harrison Bergeron” works to support your
thesis statement.
Conclusion
Your conclusion will want to give your readers a sense of finality. You will want to go over your
main points. Also, it is wise to restate your thesis but in different words. Lastly, help your readers see a
“bigger picture.” This means give them a final farewell and thoughts to think about. Do not introduce a
new idea or topic. However, now that you have broken the text down piece the text back together for
your readers and help them see it through a new, clear lens. Tell them what that lens should now look
like after their new, clear understanding of the text you have given to them!
The Title
The title is an important part of a literary analysis paper. It is important to get your reader’s
attention with your title. Be descriptive, yet allusive in your title. Give hints as to what your thesis may
be!
Examples: Fluid Concepts of Loyalty in Shakespeare’s Othello
“The Secret Lion”: It’s Hard to Grow Up