Skeleton Analysis:
Creating a Solid Thesis
What is your point in writing the thesis?
 What is the author’s overall message/intent?
 What is the Metaphorical Significance of the book?
 How do you connect the author’s meaning/metaphor
to your reader?
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An example
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On the surface, Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is
a story about a young boy's quest for his own brand of
freedom. However, upon closer reading, Twain clearly uses the
journey of Huck Finn to illustrate that our personal morality can
be at odds with the morality of society. If we are honest with
ourselves, we will invariably know the difference between moral
right and wrong.
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What does this thesis tell you in terms of:
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Metaphorical significance?
What the author’s direction is?
What to look for in terms of support?
Perhaps the most memorable trait of
any species of bean tree is its remarkably deep
roots. Despite it’s stable nature, the bean tree suffers greatly
when Mother Nature drastically changes its course. There are
countless ways by which a bean tree can lose its life, still its deep
roots stay in tact and somehow, every year, it breathes life again.
In Barbara Kingsolver’s The Bean Trees, nature’s cycle of rebirth is
paralleled with the repeated death and resurrection of Turtle
Greer.
Organize your Skeleton
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Thesis Statement: Must be written as analysis
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Quote #1
Support statement (analysis…tie into thesis)
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Quote #2
Support Statement (analysis…tie into thesis)
Quote #3
Support Statement
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Quote #4
Support Statement
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Conclusion
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Literary Criticism
Literary criticism analyzes, interprets, and evaluates works of literature.
Authors present us with work that can have multiple meanings, expecting us to
consider thoughtfully--to interpret. Noted authors often have a body of
criticism attached to their work. Critics evaluate and debate the ideas of fellow
critics.
When looking for criticism, check for:
~Credentials of the writer
~ Quality of the sources--journals,
books, Websites
~ Opinions supported by evidence, relating to:
Characterization Voice Style Theme Setting
Technical qualities of the writing (artistry, style, use of language)
Interpretation
Complex ideas and problems
Relationship of work to the time, or social, historical, or political trends
When looking for criticism, AVOID:
Plot summaries, SparkNotes, Pink Monkey, etc.
Casual posts on discussion groups
The works of other students
Author biography