Writing an Effective Literary
Analysis
I.
The Bare Essentials
- Thesis statements
- Research
- Outlining
- Quotations & References
- Proofreading
- Formatting
II. Basic Organizational Template
- Overall structure
- Introductions
- Conclusions
III. Style
- Diction
- Sample errors
IV. Final Checklist
I. The Bare Essentials
The word “analysis” comes from two Greek words:
- ana, which means “throughout”
- lysis, which means “a loosening”
Analysis, then, means a loosening of the parts
throughout; it is an examination of the separate
elements making up a larger unit. You are being
asked to analyze a major novel and discuss its
theme.
I. The Bare Essentials
In your essay, you are being asked to analyze a
major theme, breaking it down and explaining with
evidence from the novel how the author develops
this idea. Ultimately, what is the author telling us?
You must develop an original thesis, or controlling
argument, that will serve as a roadmap for your
essay. Generating a thesis statement requires
careful thought and reflection.
Should you develop a thoughtful thesis, you are on
the right track to writing an intelligent and
purposeful essay.
I. The Bare Essentials
State your thesis: Your essay should have some point
to make; it’s not just a book report or a collection of
random thoughts.
(How do I do this?)
Do the grunt work: Major essays require research—
so go to the library and find what you need. Spend
quality time brainstorming and/or webbing.
(How do I do this?)
Don’t rehash the plot: Your teacher has already read
the work on which you are writing.
(How do I do this?)
I. The Bare Essentials
Cite specific references and quotations: Most
paragraphs in the body of your essay will contain at least
one example from your primary text—properly introduced
(How do I do this?)
and explained.
Find a proofreader: Ask a parent or classmate help you
spot the mistakes in logic, grammar and spelling that your
computer cannot catch.
Get the format right: Teachers expect a certain look for
finished essays. Know what’s expected and follow the
(How do I do this?)
guidelines.
II. Organizational Template
Paragraph #1: INTRODUCTION
- Lead sentence: broad subject
- Transition: identify author & title of work
- Thesis statement: limited subject and narrowed focus
Paragraph #2
Subtopic with
supporting
evidence
Paragraph #3
Subtopic with
supporting
evidence
Paragraph #4
Subtopic with
supporting
evidence
CONCLUSION
Reinforce thesis statement
- draw a conclusion
- clinch the argument
NB. Your paper is certainly not limited to three body paragraphs. Consider the
above paragraphs as representations of major points; each single point will
probably be developed in several sub-paragraphs.
II. Organizational Outline
An outline is a very effective means of organizing
your analysis. It virtually guarantees you stay “on
track” developing your thesis.
HOW? Click here!
II. Organization of Introductions
An effective introduction functions to attract
the reader and provide him with a controlling
idea for the rest of your argument.
Consider three distinct roles for the intro:
1. It provides a “lead” into your discussion
2. It makes transition into introducing the
focus of your paper (the literature).
3. It identifies a thesis or controlling
argument for your paper.
II. Organization of Introductions
Strategies for Leads:
1.
Quotation
2.
Provocative statement
3.
Question
4.
Point to the significance of your
subject
5.
Generalization
6.
Challenge a widely held opinion
7.
Definition
8.
Personal anecdote
II. Organization for Paragraphs
Statement of situation,
event, or concept
(POINT)
Write in paragraph form
with STYLE!
Quotations or details that
demonstrate the above
point(s) (PROOF)
Interpretation and
discussion of the
importance of these points
and supporting evidence
(DISCUSSION)
Remember: you can build your paragraph
with the following techniques:
- definitions
- anecdotes
- examples
- comparison
- analogies
- contrast
- quotations
- cause and effect coorelations
(S)tatement of concept, assertion, belief
Consider ways to reinforce your main points.
Perhaps you could incorporate allusions or
figurative devices. Perhaps you could make
references to outside quotations.
II. Organization for Paragraphs
____________________________________________________
(Q)uotation or evidence that supports your assertion above. This may
include paraphrased material, including actions and/or outside research.
(I)nterpret and explain. The paragraph should stylistically examine the significance of the
above details as they relate to your topic sentence at the top of the page. The emphasis of
this paragraph is to analytically support your own observations with direct evidence from
the novel. You should always keep in mind your thesis, or controlling idea, and how these
paragraphs develop the thesis.
(S) The Honia River and backpack help to symbolize the incessant nature of
time.
From an essay on Ngugi
wa T’hiong’o’s short
story “The Return”
II. Organization for Paragraphs
____________________________________________________
(Q) Kamau approaches the river to drown himself out of rage and
frustration. The backpack falls in to the waters. He watches it float away,
and stops himself from trying to rescue it.
____________________________________________________
(S-Q-I) The final leg of Kamau’s journey occurs at the Honia River, a symbol of the incessant and
unstoppable nature of time itself. Kamau plans on drowning himself in this river out of rage and
frustration for Muthoni’s actions and his village’s seeming rejection of his status as a hero and
survivor of the war. Yet in fumbling with his pack (really an artifact from his past life before being
interned) and losing it in the river’s current, Kamau is struck by the epiphany that he would be wrong
in killing himself. The image of the flowing water helps him realize time and tide truly wait for no
man. It would be wrong to have expected Muthoni and the rest of the village to wait for his long
return. Lives inevitably must be lived and peace must be made with the past. The river symbolizes
this fact for both Kamau and the reader.
(S) Guilt can be an extremely compelling force in an individual’s life
From an essay Robertson
Davies’ novel Fifth
Business.
____________________________________________________
II. Organization for Paragraphs
(Q) “The little Madonna was a bee in my bonnet, and I wanted to see her,
and quite unreasonably I kept hoping to find her” (118).
____________________________________________________
(S-Q-I) The fact remains that Dunstan Ramsay is consumed by his guilt over the snowball affair
with Mrs. Dempster—so affected, in fact, that he is compelled to try and make Mary Dempster into
a saint. He believes Mary is responsible for three miracles, something the Catholic Church demands
of a person in order to be canonized. As he lay wounded on the battlefield in Passchaendale
Dunstan believed he had seen the image of Mrs. Dempster on a statue of the Madonna, and that she
had miraculously saved him from dying. Desperate to objectively prove this miracle, the reader
understands it is really Dunstan’s guilt that is compelling him; that the “bee in his bonnet” is none
other than his hope to get Mary canonized and thus remove the burden of his part in the premature
birth of her son, Paul Dempster.
(S) Bob Dylan helped instigate positive social change in america through the intelligent—and
sometimes provocative lyrics of his music.
From an essay on Billy
Joel’s “We Didn’t Start
the Fire”
THESIS: The fire referred to in the chorus of this song is literally the
social strife that has plagued America since its inception. Yet artists
like Bob Dylan have worked as catalysts for popular social change,
Organization for Paragraphs
and through music have made peopleII.rethink
their opinions on race
relations and war with other nations.
____________________________________________________
(Q) Songs like “Blowin’ in the Wind”, “Masters of War”, and “A Hard Rain’s a Gonna Fall” present
powerful images and themes related to ending racism and embracing the idea of American pacifism.
(S-Q-I) Bob Dylan is recognized as one of America’s master songwriters, with his music covered
more than any other popular artist working in the last fifty years. It is not just the caliber of
musicianship that defines Dylan, however; rather it is the fact the lyrics of his music have helped
instigate positive social change within America—particularly in improving relations between whites
and blacks and in redefining America’s predilection to make war on other countries. Consider the
song “Blowin’ in the Wind”, first released in 1963, and currently ranked by Rolling Stone Magazine as
the 14th greatest song ever recorded. Through a series of rhetorical questions on subjects
concerning peace, war and freedom, Dylan darkly hints that the answers to America’s greatest
problems are obvious, and that people need simply to open their minds to embrace these truths. For
example, he writes in the second verse:
Yes, how many years can a mountain exist
Before it's washed to the sea?
Yes, how many years can some people exist
Before they're allowed to be free?
Yes, how many times can a man turn his head
Pretending he just doesn't see?
The answer my friend is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind.
II. Organization for Paragraphs
The comparison of a mountain eroding into the ocean to that of white America’s
continuing tradition of subjugating its black citizens is a powerful way of suggesting how
long it has taken the country to accept African Americans as equals. Dylan questions
how much longer we can ignore such hatred and remain complacent to such bigotry.
Remember: at this time in American history, black citizens like Rosa Parks were still
being sent to sit at the back of the bus, and black schoolchildren like Melba Pattillo were
having acid thrown into their faces for attending desegregated white schools. Dylan’s
“answer” to these questions seems almost darkly religious--for the wind to which he
refers at the end of each verse could be interpreted as some kind of plague or
punishment. The message is dark: America must wake up and fix its social problems, or
face the inevitable consequences. Whatever the true meaning of such lyrics, clearly
there is more of a reason for Joel to reference Dylan in his song other than the fact his
name rhymes with “Berlin” and “Bay of Pigs Invasion”! Dylan’s songs were incredibly
popular then, and remain influential in 2012.
II. Organization of Conclusions
Don’t forget about the power of
your conclusion. As a final
paragraph (or set of paragraphs),
the conclusion should both
summarize your argument and
make a final point concerning the
thesis.
Click here for examples of conclusion
strategies:
III. Style Matters!
• Choose an appropriate level of diction: use
language that is comfortable for you, your
teacher, and your classmates. Avoid:
- Slang and colloquialisms
- Flowery language
- Vague abstractions
IV. Final Considerations
The steps below are designed to help you edit and revise
your essay. This process involves not only looking over the
mechanics of your work, but its structure and its thought.
IV. Final Considerations
1. ___ Do I have a strong thesis? Do I arrive at an interesting conclusion?
2. ___ Do I support my argument with quotations (properly integrated)? What other
evidence do I incorporate?
3. ___ Does my organization make sense? Is there clear development of my thesis?
4. ___ Test your paragraph structure. Are your ideas linked with transitions?
5. ___ Read over your sentences. Are they clear, smooth, varied?
6. ___ Examine your word choice. Is it accurate, suitable, effective?
7. ___ Are needless words and inflated language eliminated?
8. ___ Have I written predominately in the active voice?
9. ___ Check your grammar and spelling. Is the paper free of errors?
10. ___ Is the title of my essay stated clearly? Do I have a Works Cited page?
Generating a Strong Thesis
A thesis statement is to a longer paper what
a topic sentence is to a paragraph, and both
consist of two parts:
1) a complete subject
2) a complete predicate
The subject identifies and limits a topic,
while the predicate presents the writer’s
attitude that he will try to prove.
Generating a Strong Thesis
The Swiss have chosen a neutral role in international affairs.
(The subject)
(An idea about the subject; the predicate)
The
Greek
notion ofessay
Nemesis,
or retribution,
plays a might
central
From
a literary
on Macbeth,
a thesis
role
play, punishing Macbeth and his wife with
lookinasthe
follows:
death, and rewarding Malcolm with the throne of Scotland.
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Bare Essentials” of essay writing.
Doing the Grunt Work
The research and reflection stage requires
you to carefully examine the essay question,
brainstorm ideas, and consult the text and
outside resources for assistance.
For a literary analysis, a good place to start
is by defining your topic. Do this in a web
format.
Doing the Grunt Work
Consider the following questions:
1) What do I want to communicate?
2) Who will my audience be?
3) What does the essay question
demand from me?
4) How much support will I need for
my argument?
Doing the Grunt Work
A negative emotion, that
Repressing guilt can be
ironically can produce
dangerous to one’s
positiveis
results
psychological
well-being
generate
ideas.
Work with the 5ws. Here
The snowball affair
a
sample
outline
for
“Guilt” on Robertson
Bearing the “Albatross”
Dunstan assumes guilt; Boy
feels none
A mind-map (web) does wonders to
Davies’ novel Fifth Business.
GUILT
Why? 1)Changes, 2) Pres.
upbringing, 3) Boy’s refusal
Dunstan acknowledges his
guilt; leads fulfilling life.
Beyond our control
Complex emotion
Boy represses guilt his
entire life; leads
meaningless existence
Def: the intense feeling that accompanies a
breach of conduct
Doing the Grunt Work
willwish
have
to in
supplement
your
You may
to bring
outside research
brainstorming
by scanning
the text
for
into
your argument.
If you consult
and/or
details
can use
to support
your
use
anywhich
outsideyou
sources
in the
formulation
thesis.
of
your essay, make sure you write down
your source to be included in a “Works
Cited Page”.
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Bare Essentials” of essay writing.
Incessant Plot Details
•
Analytical essays must make
ASSERTIONS about a story,
not RETELL the plot.
•
When a student provides little
assertion, but LENGTHY
summation of the plot, this
“style” says: “I don’t think you
have read the book.
Therefore, hear me speak it to
you in its entirety—one
painful line after another!
Incessant Plot Details
Original Example:
Modified:
Luckily for Dunstan there was a
couple walking near him and Percy
Boyd Staunton. It was the
Dempsters, Amasa Dempster being
the local Baptist minister and
Mary Dempster seven months
pregnant. Because they were close
to him, Dunstan dodged in front
of them just as the snowball was
thrown, missing him but hitting
Mrs. Dempster. She then falls to
the ground, injured, and later
gives birth to her son
prematurely.
Dunstan dodges Boy’s snowball, and
what was meant for him hits Mrs.
Dempster—leaving her “simple” and
in danger of miscarrying her child.
The snowball represents a malicious
act, and like a true politician,
Boy refuses to accept any
responsibility for the incident.
Dunstan is left to accept the
blame, and ultimately, his entire
life is shaped by this fateful
incident.
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Bare Essentials” of essay writing.
Citing References and Using Quotations
If you decide to use quotations from the text to
support your argument, you must first properly
“set-up” the quotation. There are three basic ways
of doing this:
1.
2.
3.
Introduce athe
portion
complete
of the
quotation
quotation
with
with
a phrase
an
aindependent
phrase
followed
or statement
clause
by a followed
comma.
that
by a colon.
requires
no punctuation between it and the quotation. Use ellipses and
square brackets, if necessary, to signal any changes you make in the
E.g.
original
According
wording.
to Robert Frost, “Education is the ability to listen to almost
E.g.
anything
Robert
without
Frost had
losing
a peculiar
your temper
opinion
or your
of theself-confidence.”
value of higher learning:
“Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing
(Complete quotation introduced by phrase + comma)
E.g.
yourRobert
temperFrost
or your
defined
self-confidence.”
education as “the ability to listen to anything
without losing [one’s] temper or [one’s] self-confidence.”
(Partial quotation introduced by phrase requiring no punctuation;
(Complete quotation introduced by independence clause + colon)
changes indicated with ellipses and square brackets)
Citing References and Using Quotations
If you are quoting from the textbook, ensure you
write the page number in parentheses after the
quotation, followed by end punctuation.
POOR
GOODexample:
example:
In response to his guilt over the snowball affair,
Dunstan returns to the battlefield at Passchendaele
in search of the statue of the Madonna.
Madonna. “The
little
He states,
Madonna
a beewas
in amy
and I and
wasI
“The little was
Madonna
bee bonnet,
in my bonnet,
determined
to findtoher”
was determined
find(56)
her” (56), demonstrating
his preoccupation with Mrs. Dempster.
Citing References and Using Quotations
If you are quoting from another source, say a
literary criticism on the novel, still introduce the
quotation, and then record the author’s name and
page number of the reference in parentheses
following the quotation.
For example:
In regards to guilt, Carl Jung, the noted Swiss
psychologist, has said, “All individuals must face
their ‘dark side’ or risk irreparable psychological
damage” (Jung 223).
Citing References and Using Quotations
At the end of your paper you MUST include a
“Works Cited” or “Works Consulted” page. Here
you prove your research, and avoid charges of
plagiarism. See your portfolio reference sheets for
examples of these pages.
EXAMPLE
Works Cited
Davies, Robertson. Fifth Business. Toronto: Penguin Books,
1977.
Jung, Carl. “Psychology and Religion”. Collected Works.
London: Princeton Publishing, 1954.
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Bare Essentials” of essay writing.
Getting the Format Right
Student Name
Class
Date
TITLE (UPPER CASE)
Hints:
- [CMD+2] double space
- [CMD+J] justify
- [CMD+E] centre
- [CMD+OPT+R] thesaurus
John Doe
English 30-1
November 28, 2005
BEARING THE ALBATROSS: THE POWER OF GUILT
IN ROBERTSON DAVIES’ FIFTH BUSINESS
Hint:
The title should reflect a major element in your paper, as well as state the title
and author of the literature being discussed. Use a colon to separate your
“creative” title from the author/title of the novel.
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Bare Essentials” of essay writing.
Outlining Example
Essay Title
In From the Cold
Lead
Every year, North American businesses lose billions of
dollars to the common cold.
Thesis
Folk medicine, science-based remedies, and preventive
measures can significantly reduce absenteeism.
I. Topic Sentence
Drink lots of fluids
1. Danger of dehydration; Minimum 8 glasses water a day
2. Chicken soup reduces stuffiness
3. Garlic soup scientifically effective
4. Hot lemon and honey for sore throats
II. Topic Sentence
What science offers cold sufferers
1. Over-the-counter remedies may be harmful
2. Nutritional supplements relieve symptoms and
duration of illness (Vitamin C, Zinc, Garlic)
III. Topic Sentence
reduce
Prevention is the best solution
1. Avoid infected people
2. Avoid spreading infection
3 Wash hands frequently
IV. Conclusion
By communicating these preventive and supportive tips to
employees, employers can reduce absenteeism. A consoling
thought: teenagers catch colds twice as often as people over
Outlining
I.
Passion
fanaticism,
and Dunstan
comes
to believe
hetry
is responsible
for
Passionbegets
begets
fanaticism--we
mustfervently
understand
ourselves
and
to understand
the
ofcompel
Mary Dempster
and its corresponding tragedies. He soon comes to
the simplicity
forces that
us.
think Mary has performed three miracles, namely the reformation of Joel Surgeoner in
1.
fervently
believes
he is responsible
for the
madness
of miraculous
Mary
theDunstan
gravel pits
of Deptford,
the resurrection
of his brother
Willie,
and the
Demspter,
assuming
thethe
guilt
of Percy
Boyd Staunton—who
is truly
appearance of
her face on
statue
of the Madonna
in Passchendaele.
Dunstan’s
beliefs lead him into the obscure world of hagiography, a science concerned with saints
responsible.
and their miracles. Eventually, through his work with the Jesuit Bollandist society, he
2.
Hebecomes
does not
understandauthor
forces
compel
him to assume
thisTravellers
guilt and
even
a best-selling
ofthat
books
like A Hundred
Saints for
(Presbyterianism,
adolescence)
The Saints: A Study mother,
in the History
of Popular Mythology. Yet these accomplishments
come with personal sacrifice. Boy labels Dunstan “funny” and “queer”, and indeed,
Dunstan moves away from any meaningful relationships with the opposite sex, his trysts
3.
is convinced
MaryDoe
hasbeing
committed
three miracles
withHe
Agnes
Day and Libby
poor substitutes
for a real relationship. He even
breaks
off world
with Dianna
because he desires
freedom to study and pursue his theory about
4. Enters
of hagiography;
joins Bollandists
Mary. A toll must be paid. For Dunstan, the price equates to fifty years of artificial
5.
Researches
saints,
publishes
booksthe burden of Mary from his neck.
relationships
with
women
as he removes
Outlines will help you avoid writing rambling
paragraphs that fail to develop a point.
Consider this example of a body paragraph
outline:
6. Personal sacrifice: single, “funny”, few relationships
7. Toll must be paid for not understanding one’s identity
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“Organization” in essay writing.
The Conclusion
A conclusion should essentially accomplish two things:
1. It should SUMMARIZE or REINFORCE the main
points of your paper.
2. It should end with an appropriate CLINCHER.
The Conclusion
SUMMARY STATEMENTS:
Your summary statement should be as concise as you can make it, and it must be
phrased in such a way that it does not repeat word-for-word the portion of your
thesis that identifies the main points.
In other words, you should “arrive” at some insights related to your thesis
The Conclusion
CLINCHER:
1. End with a thought-provoking quotation.
Your clincher is a memorable statement 2. Offer a solution to a problem discussed
within the paper.
designed to leave your readers feeling
satisfied with your essay and perhaps
3. End with one or more relevant or thoughttaking away with them something
provoking questions.
further for thought.
There are a number of strategies for
effective clinchers:
4. Point out the value or significance of your
subject to the reader.
5. Make a connection to a statement made
within the introduction.
6. End with a suggestion for change or a
prediction about the future.
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“Organization” in essay writing.