Literary Analysis
How to Write One
Introduction
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Title of work or works being discussed
Authors of works
Background information
Thesis
Book and Movie Titles
• When you are typing, book titles and movie titles are in italics.
• NOT in quotes, NOT underlined, NOT bold – italics
• When you are handwriting, for example during a test or when doing a rough
draft, book titles and movie titles are underlined – to remind you to TYPE
them in italics!
• Anthem City of Ember
Gattaca
Authors
• When you mention a work for the first time, you must mention the author by
first and last name. Referencing the author after the first time should be by
last name.
• Anthem – Ayn Rand
• Gattaca – Andrew Niccol
• City of Ember – Jeanne DuPrau
Background Information
• For this paper, you need to give a reason these works would be compared
and contrasted.
• Dystopian stories – one a novella, one a novel made into a film, and one a
film.
• A brief reference to the plot of each but do NOT tell the entire story! A
helpful rule to follow is no more than a sentence.
Plot Background
• Anthem: The tale of an inquisitive man who refuses to let his society impede
his quest for knowledge.
• City of Ember: A planned city, buried underground by founders who wanted
to sustain the human race, faces possible extinction.
• Gattaca: Genetically inferior Vincent battles the codes of his society to win
the privilege of exploring outer space.
Thesis
• Your thesis statement is what your paper is trying to prove.
• Your thesis statement must be something that can be argued.
• A thesis cannot state the obvious: Anthem and City of Ember are stories with
dystopian settings.
• Your thesis is most effective when it is the LAST sentence of your
introduction.
Body Paragraphs
• Each body paragraph is evidence to prove your thesis. In this case, your body
paragraphs have been pre-structured for you.
• Let us use this pretend thesis:
• The novella Anthem, by Ayn Rand, and the novel The Hunger Games, by
Suzanna Collins, have more differences than similarities; although both set in
a dystopian society, they differ in characterization of the protagonist, types
of conflicts faced by the protagonist, and setting.
Body Paragraph One
• The novella Anthem, by Ayn Rand, and the novel The Hunger Games, by
Suzanna Collins, have more differences than similarities; although both set in
a dystopian society, they differ in characterization of the protagonist,
types of conflicts faced by the protagonist, and setting.
• This paragraph will use textual support to contrast Equality and Katniss.
Quotes can be used, but be sure to keep them short and to the point. Be
careful not to get carried away in retelling the story. Keep your focus on
supporting the thesis.
Body Paragraph Two
• The novella Anthem, by Ayn Rand, and the novel The Hunger Games, by
Suzanna Collins, have more differences than similarities; although both set in
a dystopian society, they differ in characterization of the protagonist, types
of conflicts faced by the protagonist, and setting.
• This paragraph would discuss how most of Katniss’ conflicts are man versus
man, while Equality faces more conflicts of self and society. Again, stay
focused on the goal of supporting the thesis.
Body Paragraph Three
• The novella Anthem, by Ayn Rand, and the novel The Hunger Games, by
Suzanna Collins, have more differences than similarities; although both set in
a dystopian society, they differ in characterization of the protagonist, types
of conflicts faced by the protagonist, and setting.
• This paragraph will focus on the setting of Anthem being primitive and nearly
barren while the setting of Panem includes advanced technology and
industry.
Conclusion
• The conclusion can be the most difficult paragraph to write well. Let us
begin with a list of options:
• Play the “so what?” game. Read back over your paper and then ask yourself,
“So what?” Why is what you have said relevant, worth knowing, interesting,
or helpful information? After you have pondered these questions, use some
of their answers in your conclusion.
Conclusion
• Synthesize, do not summarize. Take caution not to repeat verbatim
statements you have already made in your paper. Pull all of your writing
together with some statements that illustrate how you have proved your
thesis. Caution: do not use the word “I” or phrases like, “In my paper, I
have proven that…..”
Conclusion
• Include a new piece of insight that is related to your topic.
• Use a quote from your research. (Do not use one you have already included
in the paper!)
• Mention the broader implications of your topic. For example, just because a
novel or film has a dystopian setting does not mean it will be similar to the
other dystopian fiction you have already read or seen.
Conclusion
• Here are some things to avoid:
• Beginning with an unnecessary, overused phrase such as “in conclusion,” “in summary,” or “in
closing.” Although these phrases can work in speeches, they come across as wooden and trite in
writing.
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Stating the thesis for the very first time in the conclusion.
Introducing a new idea or subtopic in your conclusion.
Ending with a rephrased thesis statement without any substantive changes.
Making sentimental, emotional appeals that are out of character with the rest of an analytical
paper.
• Including evidence (quotations, statistics, etc.) that should be in the body of the paper.
Present Tense Verbs
• When one writes about literature, one writes in the present tense. This takes
some getting used to, but it is required for literary writing. Most present tense
verbs are “S” verbs and the writing sounds like this:
• Katniss suffers numerous man versus man conflicts while playing the actual
Hunger Games. She is forced to either battle her enemies face to face, or
outrun them and hide. Perhaps her most challenging conflict is the one she
faces with Peeta. Katniss feels emotions that interfere with the reality that he
is her enemy.
Present Tense Verbs
• Equality has a passion for knowledge that he cannot control. His thoughts
keep him awake and distracted as he wonders about the science of the world.
Although he is well aware of the rules and policies of his society, he chooses
to defy them in order to pursue his source of happiness. Punishment does
not phase him; his determination remains steady no matter what
consequences he must face along his journey to find answers. What matters
to Equality is feeding his mind and discovering answers to the questions that
multiply in his brain.
No Personal Pronouns
• Do not refer to yourself. Do NOT use the word I. Go ahead and state your
opinion without the preface of the word I. For example:
• Instead of: I think Katniss feels like she is Prim’s mother because their
biological mother is weak and self-pitying. Just state: Katniss feels like Prim’s
mother because their biological mother is weak and self-pitying.
• Instead of: I feel that Equality has pure intentions and motives. Just make the
statement: Equality has pure intentions and motives.
Contractions
DO NOT USE IN
FORMAL WRITING!
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WRITE THEM
OUT!
Can’t = cannot
Shouldn’t = should not
Didn’t = did not
You’re = you are
They’re = they are
I’m = I am
Won’t = will not
Wouldn’t – would not
He’s = he is
She’s = she is
Reminders
• Your rough draft is due Monday, October 19th at the beginning of the
period. It does not have to be typed, but it can be.  PLEASE make sure it
is legible.
• Peer Editing is being moved to Tuesday, October 20th.
• The due date of the Final Copy, which is a major grade, is being moved to
Monday, October 26th.
More Reminders
• You must MLA format and type this paper.
• You must PRINT a PAPER copy and turn it in at the beginning of class on
Monday, October 26th.
• If you need to use a school printer, plan ahead and go to the Media Center
before school, during lunch or after school. Do not expect to print at the class
change on the day the paper is due.
• You must upload your paper to www.turnitin.com by 11:59pm on Monday,
October 26th. Uploading your paper to www.turnitin.com DOES NOT
REPLACE PRINTING A PAPER COPY!!!