Writing Your Literary Analysis. English 10

Transcription

1 Writing Your Literary Analysis English 10

2 Your essay must contain the following: 1. Introduction 2. Body Paragraphs (at least 3) 3. Conclusion 4. Works Cited, if you use anysources outside of the text being analyzed it must conform to MLA style

3 Introduction The first paragraph should include (in this order) 1. lead-in/attention-getter 2. transition words/sentences to connect lead to thesis 3. thesis statement + preview of points covered in body Also within: It MUST contain the name of the text, its author name, and any essential identifying information about characters or the plotthat your reader will need to know in order to understand what you are talking about.

4 Introduction: Lead-in/attention getter Purpose: Engage and make a good first impression. Types: Statement Quote from the text being analyzed Quote from another source (requires works cited) Description Anecdote (a very brief, 1-3 sentence story) Fact or statistic (requires works cited) Note: Whatever the lead, it MUST relate closely to your thesis! It MUST be relevant.

5 Introduction: Lead-in/attention getter What about a question lead? Sure, this is another lead-in method. However, you may NOT usethis one for this essay. They are overused because students think they are easy. The ones Mrs. Carney sees are almost always uninspired. Do not use.

6 Introduction: Lead-in/attention getter What about a definition lead? Sure, this is another lead-in method. However, you many NOT usethis one for this essay. These are also overused. Mrs. Carney has rarely seen one that has worked well. Do not use.

7 Introduction: Lead-in/attention getter Note: My examples use Romeo and Juliet as the text being analyzed. Example: Why then, O brawling love, O loving hate, O anything of nothing first created! O heavy lightness, serious vanity, misshapen chaos of well-seeming forms ( Shakespeare 72). Note the citation!!!

8 Introduction: transition Why then, O brawling love, O loving hate, O anything of nothing first created! O heavy lightness, serious vanity, misshapen chaos of well-seeming forms (Shakespeare 72).With these words, lovesick and depressed, Romeo rails against that which he seeks most: love. Spoken in Act 1 of Romeo and Juliet, these words also begin Shakespeare s

9 Introduction: Thesis Your thesis should appear lastin your introduction. Thesis= topic and a specific aspect of the topic (see your topic choice) + a preview of the three examples you will use Tip:Use the wording of your topic choice to help you. Example:In the novel,the impact of guilt on an individual s life is examined. Three characters that demonstrate this theme are

10 Example Thesis Spoken in Act 1 of Romeo and Juliet, these words also beginshakespeare s play-length examination of human contradiction and duality, implicating the whole of humanity in its own wonderful, yet horrible, mess. What is topic? What is aspect of topic? What is significance?

11 Introduction: Thesis Preview of main points in order of first to last, or least to most important. 1. Friar Lawrence s comparison of medicinal plants and humans. 2. Juliet s emotional upheaval upon her kinsman s death. 3. The very path and nature of Romeo and Juliet s love.

12 Introduction: Putting it all together. To put it all together, think very carefully about the following: 1. What is the best, most logical place to mention the author and the title? Have I mentioned them at all? 2. Do I need to identify a character or include a brief (1 sentence) plot statement? 3. Have I included words/sentences that will connect or transition each sentence to the next? 4. Have I included citations as required? 5. Is it clear what theme and character(s)/plot events will be my focus?

13 Why then, O brawling love, O loving hate, O anything of nothing first created! O heavy lightness, serious vanity, misshapen chaos of well-seeming forms (Shakespeare 72). With these words, a lovesick and depressed Romeo rails against that which he seeks most: love.spoken in Act 1 of Romeo and Juliet, these words also begin Shakespeare s play-length examination of human contradiction, a natural dualitythe playwright most obviously signals through Friar Lawrence s comparison of medicinal plants and humans. But the idea is reinforced throughout the play in such events as Juliet s emotional upheaval upon her kinsman s death, and, indeed, through the very path and nature of Romeo and Juliet s love.through all, Shakespeare implicates the whole of humanity in its own splendid, yet terrifying, mess. 5 sentences