Literary Analysis Review
1. Define each of the following in short phrases, using Cornell notes:
• Diction
• Tone
• Figurative Language
• Mood
• Imagery
• Theme
• Syntax
• Motif
2. Answer in 2-3 sentences: Why is it important to annotate while
reading? How can close reading help you improve your writing?
3. In your text, find one annotation for your assigned term.
4. Share page numbers with the class.
DICTION
• What is diction?
• Find one annotation regarding diction in your text.
• Write down the first four words in the quote on your paper and
provide the page # in parentheses at the end.
• In short paragraph, answer the following questions beneath the
cited quote on your paper:
• Are the connotations positive or negative?
• What is the effect of the author’s word choice here?
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
• What is figurative language?
• Find one annotation regarding figurative language in your text.
• Write down the first four words in the quote on your paper and
provide the page # in parentheses at the end.
• In short paragraph, answer the following questions beneath the
cited quote on your paper:
• What is this an example of: metaphor, simile,
personification, symbolism, analogy…?
• Why did the author choose this image/comparison? What is
the effect on her intended audience?
IMAGERY
• What is imagery?
• Find one annotation regarding imagery in your text.
• Write down the first four words in the quote on your paper and
provide the page # in parentheses at the end.
• In short paragraph, answer the following questions beneath the
cited quote on your paper:
• Are the images concrete or abstract?
• How do the particular images chosen relate to the passage
as a whole?
SYNTAX
• What is syntax?
• Find one annotation regarding syntax in your text.
• Write down the first four words in the quote on your paper and
provide the page # in parentheses at the end.
• In short paragraph, answer the following questions beneath the
cited quote on your paper:
• What is the order of the sentence(s) – loose or periodic?
• Is there variation in sentence structure? If so, what is the
effect of the variation? If not, what is the effect of not
having variation?
TONE
• What is tone?
• Find one annotation regarding tone in your text.
• Write down the first four words in the quote on your paper and
provide the page # in parentheses at the end.
• In short paragraph, answer the following questions beneath the
cited quote on your paper:
• How does the author feel about his or her subject?
• Which words, phrases, or images help to convey his or her
attitude?
MOOD
• What is mood?
• Find one annotation regarding mood in your text.
• Write down the first four words in the quote on your paper and
provide the page # in parentheses at the end.
• In short paragraph, answer the following questions beneath the
cited quote on your paper:
• How does the author want her intended audience to feel at
this moment?
• Which words, phrases, or images help to create that feeling?
THEME
• What is theme?
• Find one annotation regarding theme in your text.
• Write down the first four words in the quote on your paper and
provide the page # in parentheses at the end.
• In short paragraph, answer the following questions beneath the
cited quote on your paper:
• What comment is the author making about human nature
and/or life here?
• Where else is this theme demonstrated?
MOTIF
• What is motif?
• Find one annotation regarding motif in your text.
• Write down the first four words in the quote on your paper and
provide the page # in parentheses at the end.
• In short paragraph, answer the following questions beneath the
cited quote on your paper:
• What theme is being developed here and how?
• What effect does this idea, image, or symbol have on the
reader (e.g., mood, understanding, connection, etc.)?
Book Study 2
Four annotations per page.
Annotations are combination of highlights AND notes in margins:
1. Diction – explain connotations & why word choices are effective
2. Figurative Language – note the type & how it affects reader
3. Imagery – explain how images help you connect to text
4. Syntax – explain how sentence structures control pace
5. Tone – explain how word choices reveal tone
6. Mood – explain how word choices create mood
7. Theme – explain what comment the author is making about life
8. Motif – explain how theme is developed through the item or idea