Literary Analysis
 Refreshing our Literary
Analysis Writing Skills
Introductory Paragraph
AG STATEMENT: Your “hook” to grab the reader’s
attention
Background Information: Provide author
name & title of the book, info on
characters, reference to prompt, etc.
Thesis: What are
your main points?
YOU NEED 2!!!!
Let’s look at the
st
1
prompt:
 Considering the qualities that make-up
an epic hero, discuss whether Odysseus is
an epic hero.
 Be sure to define the term “epic hero” in
your essay.
Brainstorm
Going back over your notes, jot down some ideas
about what an epic hero is.
Then, pick (2) qualities that you might want to focus
your paper on
Still Brainstorming
 Hero is usually tested in some way to prove his/her
worthiness
 The hero undertakes a journey or dangerous voyage,
demonstrating traits – such as courage, loyalty, and
honor.
 Hero is charged with a quest
 Cycle must reach a low point where hero nearly
gives up or appears defeated
For example: If I were to write my paper arguing that Odysseus is an epic hero
AG Statement: There are those who prove their heroic stature
by physical strength alone and there are those who do it by use
of their mental abilities and perseverance despite the adversities
that they are faced with.
Background Info: The definitions of an epic hero is one who is
tested in such a way that as to prove himself as worthy,
courageous, and loyal. In Homer’s Odyssey,
Thesis: Odysseus exemplifies these qualities of an epic hero as
he is challenged not only physically but mentally in his quest
for home.
Some tips for Thesis Statements
Answer the prompt completely in the thesis. If you do not,
your essay will not be focused on the prompt.
In spite of the fact that the thesis is a theory of yours, do
not use the words “I believe” or “I feel” in the thesis (or in
the essay). It weakens your argument.
If your thesis has several parts, state it in the same order
you plan to present it in the essay.
Let’s look at the 2nd prompt:
 Choose one character from The
Odyssey to characterize.
Brainstorm
Pick a character to focus on and come up with (2)
personality traits
For example: If I were to write my paper about the
CHARACTERIZATION OF TELEMACHOS
AG Statement: The valor of a man can be represented in a
culmination of his maturity as well as an ability to be brave in
the face of danger.
Background Info: In Homer’s Odyssey, many characters prove
their bravery with their minds regardless of their physical
strength.
Thesis: Telemachos demonstrates his courageousness and
valor as he comes into adulthood and learns how to use his
strengths in the face of mockery and danger.
Let’s look at the 3rd prompt:
 Using characters and events from The
Odyssey, discuss a prevalent theme.
Brainstorm
Going back over your notes, jot down some of the
themes that are prevalent.
Then, pick (1) that you want to write your paper on
For example: If I were to write my paper about the THEME OF HOSPITALITY
AG Statement: The culture of America today greatly differs
from the culture of Greece in Homeric times. People were
generally trusted back then and it was customary for them to
invite in strangers to have a meal.
Background Info: Homer depicts characters to be generally
rewarded for showing good hospitality, or xenia, but to be
punished for expressing poor hospitality. In Homer’s The
Odyssey,
Thesis: characters that follow Greek rules give benevolent
hospitality, while those that do not follow present malicious
hospitality.
Let’s look at the 4th prompt:
 Discuss the role of women.
Brainstorm
Going back over your notes in the novel, pick a
female character to focus on and come up with 2
reasons what role she has.
OR
Pick (2) female characters and describe their roles.
Let’s look at the 5th prompt:
 Discuss the role of the Gods
Brainstorm
Going back over your notes in the novel, pick two
Gods to focus on and their roles
OR
Pick (1) God and describe his/her (2) major roles in
the story.
Body Paragraphs
TOPIC SENTENCE
TRANSITION & LEAD IN
CONCRETE DETAIL
COMMENTARY
COMMENTARY
CONCRETE DETAIL
COMMENTARY
COMMENTARY
CONCLUDING SENTENCE
Sample Body Paragraph on CHARACTERIZATION
Telemachos proves himself to be a courageous man in the face of mockery and
danger. For instance, when weary of his hospitality being abused by his mother’s
suitors, Telemachos goes before the council and pleads, “Let me be, my friends!
Leave me alone to be worn out by my bitter sorrow – unless I must suppose that
my father Odysseus, my good father, was a cruel man and ill-treated the nation,
and that is why you are cruel and ill-treat me . . .” (23). Though aware of the
malice of the men trying to win Penelope’s hand, he appeals to them peacefully
and calmly. Instead of reacting on impulse, he takes a chance, standing up to them,
hoping to rid himself of the intruders. Additionally, Telemachos finds a ship and
crew, and steals away to find news of Odysseus. Choosing to take action rather
than resign himself to whatever his fate may be, he demonstrates his bravery as he
sails toward the unknown. Speaking of his plot to no one but his trusted nurse, he
must depart from his mother and his country in order to take control of what is to
come which is not only mature but courageous. Telemachos’s courage is
undeniable and his ability to have faith is outstanding.
Sample Body Paragraph on CHARACTERIZATION
 As time passes by, Telemachos begins to demonstrate exceptional
maturity. For example, when King Menelaos insists that he stay in
Lacedoaimon for a while, Telemachos politely turns down the offer,
explaining that he must return to his crew in Pylos (56). Telemachos
would love to stay with Menelaos, but his newfound maturity teaches
him the courage and responsibility to continue his journey. His
blossoming mind finally understands that sometimes work must come
before play. Furthermore, instead of accepting the generous gift of three
horses and a chariot, Telemachos says, “‘If you should offer me a gift, let
it be something for me to treasure; but horses I will not take to Ithaca…in
Ithaca we have neither wide roads nor meadows; it is a goat-country,
much pleasanter than a horse-country”’ (56). Any man would accept
Menelaous’ gift without thinking twice, but Telemachos looks deeper
into the situation. He nobly refuses to accept the horses because he
knows that they would go to waste in Ithaca. With each new day,
Telemachos becomes more mature, and his wisdom grows at an even
more alarming rate.
Sample Body Paragraph on THEME
 In The Odyssey, most of the characters provide generous hospitality to guests
as a way of life. For example, when Athena comes to Telemachos’ home in the
form of Mentes, Telemachos tells his guest, “Good day to you sir. You will be
welcome in our home. Refresh yourself, and after you have eaten and drunk
you shall say what you have come for . . .” (14). Telemachos shows kindness to
a complete stranger and lets him eat before questioning him, making
Telemachos a wonderful host. Ironically, this person is actually Athena, who
then rewards Telemachos by helping him on his journey, a result of following
this rule of generosity. In addition, when Odysseus ends up on the shores of
Phacacca, King Alcinoos goes to give Odysseus food, shelter, and a transport
back to his home. Alcinoos gives Odysseus, a wondering foreigner, a feeling
that he is someone special enough to be hailed by the Phaicians through his
exceptional courtesy. Alcinoos goes beyond the norm and places Odysseus on
his son’s seat, a sign of Alcinoos’ complete trust in Odysseus. While most
characters follow this tradition of hospitality, others do not.
Conclusion
The Conclusion
Re-state Thesis
Sum up main points
Tie back in with your title
Weaving Commentary
 Blending concrete details and commentary in a body
paragraph.
 It involves shorter quote "fragments" connected with your
opinion.
Example + Verb + Explanation or Significance
(CD)
(CM)
OR
Starting commentary → supporting quotes → ending commentary
Weaving Commentary
(Concrete Detail)
(verb)
 The act of hurling the pearl into the sea suggests that the beauty of the
soul cannot be bought. (Commentary)
Weaving Commentary
 In The Odyssey, Telemachos understands that hosting a guest is a great
honor. He says, "I'd rather die, yes, better that by far than have to look
on at your outrage day by day: guests treated to blows . . ." (255).
 To host a guest is a great honor, so much that Telemachos tells the
suitors that he would "rather die" than see "guests treated to blows"
(Homer 353, 355), a sign of how sacred the guest is to his host.
