Lesson | Elements of a Literary Analysis A literary analysis essay requires you to look at specific elements of a work of literature. Below are some commonly used literary devices found in stories and poems and how you might write about them. + Characterization: characters develop and change description of the : characters advance the plot characters in the story * characters develop the theme Plot: events in the story| © events in the story influence the | | characters | * the author uses events to create mystery or tension the structure supports the theme Structu arrangement of lines of poetry or the order | in which ideas are presented + —_—__-—- ~ fluences the plot and the characters’ choices when the events take place Tone: author's attitude | * the author's choice of words creates the |_ toward the writing tone point of view influences the story or poem the theme is developed, shaped, and refined by specific details | two passages on the same topic or with | the same theme are similar or different | Figurative Language: + imagery of sound devices convey | words that express === meaning | additional meaning | the author uses similes and metaphors | beyond their literal about nature throughout the text | meaningLiterary Analysis Essay Template While there is no “one way” to write an analysis essay, this template can provide a sound foundation for developing a strong, organized paper. Using this guide helps ensure that your position is supported (but not overwhelmed) by carefully selected evidence from the text, and explained in thoughtful commentary by you. We will practice with this format for your Frankenstein essay. Introduction: (~6-7 sentences) 1. Ahook~ begin with a general idea related to your thesis (2-3 sentences) 2. Transition to the book; what does this general idea have to do with the book and your main idea in this essay? 3. Transition to your thesis - what are you going to argue that this book proves (according to the author)? Body paragraph 1: (~7-8 sentences) 1. Topic Sentence: A main point that proves/supports your thesis statement. 2. Transition to Quote: An integrated quote that PROVES your topic sentence is true 3, Commentary: An explanation of HOW your quote proves the topic sentence is true. 4. Transition to Second Quote: An even stronger but related integrated quote that again proves your topic sentence is true. 5. Commentary: An explanation of HOW your second quote proves the topic sentence is true. 6. Concluding Sentence: A statement of HOW your whole paragraph proves your thesis statement.Great Verbs for Topic Sentences List A: A good place to start! The word “is about” works as a verb for most topic sentences when summarizing a piece of literature, but it is not very specific. Once you get used to writing topic sentences, try using some of the other words that are more vivid and precise. is about tells compares describes gives presents lists shows defines ist_B: Now try these! acknowledges evaluates supports adds explores confuses advises expresses defends asserts features depicts teaches furnishes encourages confirms names illustrates confronts offends invites considers offers judges contrasts predicts misjudges critiques proposes praises demonstrates provides recommends denounces traces simplifies discourages answers solvesHere are some tips to help you proofread your own work like a pro. 4. Don't proofread until you're completely finished with the actual writing and editing, If you make major changes while proofreading, even if it's just within sentences, you're stil in an artistic, creative mode, not a science mode. 2. Make sure you have no distractions or potential interruptions. Shut down email and social ‘media, hide the cell phone, shut off the TV, radio, or music, and close the door. Print your document if you need to get away from the computer altogether. 3. Forget the content or story. Analyze sentence by sentence; don't read in your usual way. Focus on spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Work backwards, if that helps, or say the words and sentences out loud. Concentrate. 4, Make several passes for different types of errors. Try checking spelling and end punctuation on one pass, grammar and internal punctuation on another, and links or format on yet another pass. Develop a system '5. Take notes. If you notice @ format issue while checking spelling or if you need to look. something up, make a quick note and come back to it so you don't lose your focus. 6. If you do make a last-minute change to a few words, be sure to check the entire sentence or even paragraph over again. Many errors are the result of changes made without adjusting other, related words. 7. Check facts, dates, quotes, tables, references, text boxes, and anything repetitive or outside of the main text separately. Focus on one element or several related aspects of your writing at a time. 8, Monitor yourself. If you find yourself drifting off and thinking about something else, go back ‘over that section again. Try slapping your hand or tapping a foot in a rhythm as you examine each word and sentence out loud. 9. Get familiar with your frequent mistakes. Even the most experienced writer mixes up their, they're, and there or too, two, and fo. When I'm tried or writing fast, I right what I here in my mind and just get careless. Not a big deal. That's what proofreading is for. You caught those errors, didn't you? 10. Check format last. Every document has format, even an email, whether i's paragraph spacing, text wrap, indentations, spaces above and below a bullet list or between subheadings land text, and so on. Leave this for the end because contents may shift during handling, You already know better than to rely on spell-check, so pay attention and learn the words you have a habit of spelling incorrectlyReading Short Stories Get Ready to Read! Reading Skills Practice these skills this week as you read. What is It? Why is it Important? How to Do It Clarifying Authors often build ideas | Go back and reread a one upon another. If you confusing section more poohina St citerer don’t clear up confusing | slowly. sections of a text in order Passage, you may not Look up words you don’t ea. cleatun whats understand main ideas or | confusing. information that comes now later. {Ask questions about what you don't understand Sometimes you may want to read on to see if further information helps you. Drawing Conclusions Drawing conclusions helps | Notice details about you find connections characters, ideas, and Prawns a conciusion is between ideas and events. | events. Then make a using a number of pieces of | iv another tool to help general statement on the posoranatenico oleae you see the larger picture. | basis of these details. For general statement about ee eee people, places, events, or Sancta ender ee conclude that the character is kind Literary Element: Point of View Writers can write stories from a variety of point of view. In first-person narration, the author uses “I,” “me,” “we,” “our,” and the other first-person pronouns to write a story from one character’s particular perspective. In third-person narration, on the other hand, the author uses “she” or “he” or “they,” etc., to tell the story. While in a first-person narrative, you can see things through the narrator’s eyes, in third person narratives, you might see things from multiple perspectivesConnect Quickwrite Have you ever felt like an outsider—someone who does not fit in? Maybe you moved to a new city or changed schools. Maybe you joined a new team or a club where you didn’t know anyone. How did you feel? What happened to make you feel better? On the lines below, describe a time when you felt alone in a new place.