Dr. Travis Rozier
ENGL 203
14 June 2021
: Marital Conflict in “A Red Girl’s Reasoning”
In writing “A Red Girl’s Reasoning,” Johnson explores through Christie McDonald, a mixed-race young woman like herself. Like Christie, Johnson was both a part of and yet separate from Canadian middle-class society in the early 1900s because of her Indian heritage. Christie, unlike Johnson, marries a young white man named Charlie McDonald. In Charlie, though, Christie does not find mooring for her liminality.
At the beginning of “A Red Girl’s Reasoning,” Charlie is introduced to the reader in conversation with his father-in-law while waiting for Christie to appear. When Jimmy Robinson tells Charlie that he does not understand Indigenous people or their cultures , who has lived over twenty years in native lands, Charlie balks at this assessment: “But I’m just as fond of them” and “I get on with them too, now, don’t I?” are his cries in response (Johnson 1). This incident highlights Charlie’s insistence on always being correct, regardless of whether or not he is actually right or not. It also foreshadows how his insistence at always being right will later create marital conflict with his new bride.
He also becomes jealous; at the thought, instigated by Mrs. Stuart, that Joe does not love Christie nearly as much as she deserves, he confronts his brother about the matter. “I’ve never asked you yet what you thought of her, Joe,” he ponders with his brother (4). Unsatisfied with his brother’s answer of “I’m glad she loves you,” Charlie tells Joe that “If she hated you, you’d get out. If she loved you I’d you get out” (4). This scene, while seemingly a minor incident in the text, becomes alarming when coupled with Charlie’s discussion with Jimmy Robinson. Like everyone else in Ottawa, he perceives her as “a potent charm to acquire popularity” (3).
At the party, when confronted by numerous individuals as to the nature of her father and mother’s marriage, Christie admits that they were not married by a priest. Horrified by this lack of propriety and despite her clarification that “the marriage was performed by Indian rites,” guests like Captain Logan and Mrs. Stuart immediately begin to gossip at hints of impropriety in Christie and Charlie’s marriage itself (Johnson 6). “Poor old Charlie has always thought so much of honorable birth,” Captain Logan says, perhaps the most damning indictment of Charlie’s character in the short story (6). Charlie, who was not made privy to this information before his marriage, is beyond angry by this news. What he is angry about is not the information being withheld from him, though; instead, he is angry with Christie at ruining her, and therefore his, reputation.
Immediately after the disastrous party, Charlies skulks off by himself before returning home to confront Christie. At the sight of her, he cries “You have disgraced me; and, moreover, you have disgraced yourself and both your parents” (Johnson 7). When Christie throws in his face the fact that he “who [has] studied my race and their laws for years” accuses her of bastardry, Charlie is affronted: “Your father was a fool not to insist upon the law, and so was the priest” (6-7). Despite studying and understanding Indian culture for years and marrying an Indian woman, Charlie insists that Christie’s parents “live in more civilized times” and should therefore have had a Christian wedding with a priest in order to authorize their marriage (8). Ultimately, however, Christie wears down Charlie’s ignorant arguments until he cries “the trouble is they won’t keep their mouths shut” (8). Even in this moment of intense argument with Christie over a subject that ultimately proves the end of their marriage, Charlie cannot stop prioritizing the opinions of those in white Ottawan society. Because of her announcement, Charlie has been made a fool in front of his friends, colleagues, and the city writ-large, and his anger at this prompts him to announce “God knows” when Christie asks whether it would have made a difference when deciding to marry her (8).
He alienates Christie from white society by castigating her for her parents’ lack of “propriety” (by a white man’s standard) and refusing to recognize the validity of her people’s customs. Christie occupies a liminal space between being white and being Indigenous that cannot support Charlie’s racist attempts to capitalize on her beauty and appeal to society as the new “rage” for his own social gain. Through Christie, Pauline Johnson explores the fraught nature of being an Indian in a white man’s world, while through Charlie, Johnson exposes how white society commodifies the lives and cultures of Indigenous people during the early twentieth century.
Works Cited
Attribution:
Bowling, Hannah Elizabeth. “Short Story: ‘Blood for Blood’: Marital Conflict in ‘A Red Girl’s Reasoning.’” In Surface and Subtext: Literature, Research, Writing . 3rd ed. Edited by Claire Carly-Miles, Sarah LeMire, Kathy Christie Anders, Nicole Hagstrom-Schmidt, R. Paul Cooper, and Matt McKinney. College Station: Texas A&M University, 2024. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License .
Rozier, Travis, and R. Paul Cooper. “Short Story: Sample Analysis of a Short Story.” In Surface and Subtext: Literature, Research, Writing . 3rd ed. Edited by Claire Carly-Miles, Sarah LeMire, Kathy Christie Anders, Nicole Hagstrom-Schmidt, R. Paul Cooper, and Matt McKinney. College Station: Texas A&M University, 2024. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License .
3.7--Sample Analysis of a Short Story Copyright © 2024 by Travis Rozier and R. Paul Cooper is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.
Literary Analysis Essay
Literary Analysis Essay Writing
Last updated on: May 21, 2023
By: Cordon J.
Reviewed By: Rylee W.
Published on: Dec 3, 2019
A literary analysis essay specifically examines and evaluates a piece of literature or a literary work. It also understands and explains the links between the small parts to their whole information.
It is important for students to understand the meaning and the true essence of literature to write a literary essay.
One of the most difficult assignments for students is writing a literary analysis essay. It can be hard to come up with an original idea or find enough material to write about. You might think you need years of experience in order to create a good paper, but that's not true.
This blog post will show you how easy it can be when you follow the steps given here.Writing such an essay involves the breakdown of a book into small parts and understanding each part separately. It seems easy, right?
Trust us, it is not as hard as good book reports but it may also not be extremely easy. You will have to take into account different approaches and explain them in relation with the chosen literary work.
It is a common high school and college assignment and you can learn everything in this blog.
Continue reading for some useful tips with an example to write a literary analysis essay that will be on point. You can also explore our detailed article on writing an analytical essay .
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A literary analysis essay is an important kind of essay that focuses on the detailed analysis of the work of literature.
The purpose of a literary analysis essay is to explain why the author has used a specific theme for his work. Or examine the characters, themes, literary devices , figurative language, and settings in the story.
This type of essay encourages students to think about how the book or the short story has been written. And why the author has created this work.
The method used in the literary analysis essay differs from other types of essays. It primarily focuses on the type of work and literature that is being analyzed.
Mostly, you will be going to break down the work into various parts. In order to develop a better understanding of the idea being discussed, each part will be discussed separately.
The essay should explain the choices of the author and point of view along with your answers and personal analysis.
So how to start a literary analysis essay? The answer to this question is quite simple.
The following sections are required to write an effective literary analysis essay. By following the guidelines given in the following sections, you will be able to craft a winning literary analysis essay.
The aim of the introduction is to establish a context for readers. You have to give a brief on the background of the selected topic.
It should contain the name of the author of the literary work along with its title. The introduction should be effective enough to grab the reader’s attention.
In the body section, you have to retell the story that the writer has narrated. It is a good idea to create a summary as it is one of the important tips of literary analysis.
Other than that, you are required to develop ideas and disclose the observed information related to the issue. The ideal length of the body section is around 1000 words.
To write the body section, your observation should be based on evidence and your own style of writing.
It would be great if the body of your essay is divided into three paragraphs. Make a strong argument with facts related to the thesis statement in all of the paragraphs in the body section.
Start writing each paragraph with a topic sentence and use transition words when moving to the next paragraph.
Summarize the important points of your literary analysis essay in this section. It is important to compose a short and strong conclusion to help you make a final impression of your essay.
Pay attention that this section does not contain any new information. It should provide a sense of completion by restating the main idea with a short description of your arguments. End the conclusion with your supporting details.
You have to explain why the book is important. Also, elaborate on the means that the authors used to convey her/his opinion regarding the issue.
For further understanding, here is a downloadable literary analysis essay outline. This outline will help you structure and format your essay properly and earn an A easily.
DOWNLOADABLE LITERARY ANALYSIS ESSAY OUTLINE (PDF)
Examples are great to understand any concept, especially if it is related to writing. Below are some great literary analysis essay examples that showcase how this type of essay is written.
A ROSE FOR EMILY LITERARY ANALYSIS ESSAY
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD LITERARY ANALYSIS ESSAY
THE GREAT GATSBY LITERARY ANALYSIS ESSAY
THE YELLOW WALLPAPER LITERARY ANALYSIS ESSAY
If you do not have experience in writing essays, this will be a very chaotic process for you. In that case, it is very important for you to conduct good research on the topic before writing.
There are two important points that you should keep in mind when writing a literary analysis essay.
First, remember that it is very important to select a topic in which you are interested. Choose something that really inspires you. This will help you to catch the attention of a reader.
The selected topic should reflect the main idea of writing. In addition to that, it should also express your point of view as well.
Another important thing is to draft a good outline for your literary analysis essay. It will help you to define a central point and division of this into parts for further discussion.
Literary analysis essays are mostly based on artistic works like books, movies, paintings, and other forms of art. However, generally, students choose novels and books to write their literary essays.
Some cool, fresh, and good topics and ideas are listed below:
If you are still in doubt then there is nothing bad in getting professional writers’ help.
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What should a literary analysis essay include.
A good literary analysis essay must include a proper and in-depth explanation of your ideas. They must be backed with examples and evidence from the text. Textual evidence includes summaries, paraphrased text, original work details, and direct quotes.
Here are the 4 essential parts of a literary analysis essay;
No literary work is explained properly without discussing and explaining these 4 things.
Start your literary analysis essay with the name of the work and the title. Hook your readers by introducing the main ideas that you will discuss in your essay and engage them from the start.
In a literary analysis essay, you study the text closely, understand and interpret its meanings. And try to find out the reasons behind why the author has used certain symbols, themes, and objects in the work.
It encourages the students to think beyond their existing knowledge, experiences, and belief and build empathy. This helps in improving the writing skills also.
Interpretation is the fundamental and important feature of a literary analysis essay. The essay is based on how well the writer explains and interprets the work.
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Short story analysis essay generator.
Almost everyone has read a couple of short stories from the time they were kids up until today. Although, depending on how old you are, you analyze the stories you read differently. As a kid, you often point out who is the good guy and the bad guy. You even express your complaints if you do not like the ending. Now, in high school or maybe in college, you pretty much do the same, but you need to incorporate your critical thinking skills and follow appropriate formatting. That said, to present the results of your literature review, compose a short story analysis essay.
1. short story analysis essay template.
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A short story analysis essay is a composition that aims to examine the plot and the aspects of the story. In writing this document, the writer needs to take the necessary elements of a short story into account. In addition, one purpose of writing this type of analysis essay is to identify the theme of the story. As well as try to make connections between the different aspects.
Having the assignment to write a short story analysis can be overwhelming. Reading the short story is easy enough. Evaluating and writing down your essay is the challenging part. A short story analysis essay follows a different format from other literature essays . That said, to help with that, here are instructive steps and helpful tips.
Considering that you have read the short story a couple of times, the first step you should take before writing your essay is to summarize and write down your notes. To help you with this, you can utilize flow charts to determine the arcs the twists of the short story. Include the parts and segments that affected you the most, as well as the ones that hold significance for the whole story.
Before composing your thesis statement for the introductory paragraph of your essay, first, you need to identify the thematic statement of the story. This sentence should present the underlying message of the entire literature. It is where the story revolves around. After that, you can use it as a basis and proceed with composing your thesis statement. It should provide the readers an overview of the content of your analysis paper.
One of the essential segments of your paper is, of course, the analysis part. In the body of your essay, you should present arguments that discuss the concepts that you were able to identify. To support your point, you should provide evidence and quote sentences from the story. If you present strong supporting sentences, it will make your composition more effective. To help with the organization and the structure, you can utilize an analysis paper outline .
The last part of the process is to craft a conclusion for your essay . Aside from restating the crucial points and the thesis statement, there is another factor that you should consider for the ending paragraph. That said, you should also present your understanding regarding why the author wrote the story that way. In addition, you can also wrap it up by expressing how the story made you feel.
In analyzing a short story, you should individually examine the elements of a short story. That said, you need to study the characters, setting, tone, and plot. In addition, you should also consider evaluating the author’s point of view, writing style, and story-telling method. Also, it involves studying how the story affects you personally.
Composing analysis essays tests how well a person understands a reading material. It is a good alternative for reading comprehension worksheets . Another advantage of devising this paper is it encourages people to look at a story from different angles and perspectives. In addition to this, it lets the students enhance their article writing potential.
Conducting a critical analysis requires an individual to examine the details and facts in the literature closely. It involves breaking down ideas as well as linking them to develop a point or argument. Despite that, the prime purpose of a critical essay is to give a literary criticism of the things the author did well and the things they did poorly.
People enjoy reading short stories. It is for the reason that aside from being brief, they also present meaningful messages and themes. In addition to that, it also brings you to a memorable ride with its entertaining conflicts and plot twists. That said, as a sign of respect to the well-crafted literature, you should present your thoughts about it by generating a well-founded short story analysis essay.
Text prompt
Short Story Analysis Essay on the theme of courage in
Short Story Analysis Essay on symbolism in
Elements of a short story, Part 1
YouTube video
Elements of a short story, Part 2
Collaborative Mind Mapping – collaborative brainstorming site
Sample Literary Analysis Essay Outline
Literary Analysis are written in the third person point of view in present tense. Do not use the words I or you in the essay. Your instructor may have you choose from a list of literary works read in class or you can choose your own. Follow the required formatting and instructions of your instructor.
Writing & Analyzing process
First step: Choose a literary work or text. Read & Re-Read the text or short story. Determine the key point or purpose of the literature
Step two: Analyze key elements of the literary work. Determine how they fit in with the author's purpose.
Step three: Put all information together. Determine how all elements fit together towards the main theme of the literary work.
Step four: Brainstorm a list of potential topics. Create a thesis statement based on your analysis of the literary work.
Step five: search through the text or short story to find textual evidence to support your thesis. Gather information from different but relevant sources both from the text itself and other secondary sources to help to prove your point. All evidence found will be quoted and analyzed throughout your essay to help explain your argument to the reader.
Step six: Create and outline and begin the rough draft of your essay.
Step seven: revise and proofread. Write the final draft of essay
Step eight: include a reference or works cited page at the end of the essay and include in-text citations.
When analyzing a literary work pay close attention to the following:
Characters: A character is a person, animal, being, creature, or thing in a story.
Setting: The setting is the period of time and geographic location in which a story takes place.
Plot: a literary term used to describe the events that make up a story
Theme: a universal idea, lesson, or message explored throughout a work of literature.
Dialogue: any communication between two characters
Imagery: a literary device that refers to the use of figurative language to evoke a sensory experience or create a picture with words for a reader.
Figures of Speech: A word or phrase that is used in a non-literal way to create an effect.
Tone: A literary device that reflects the writer's attitude toward the subject matter or audience of a literary work.
rhyme or rhythm: Rhyme is a literary device, featured particularly in poetry, in which identical or similar concluding syllables in different words are repeated. Rhythm can be described as the beat and pace of a poem
Point of view: the narrative voice through which a story is told.
Symbolism: a literary device in which a writer uses one thing—usually a physical object or phenomenon—to represent something else.
Irony: a literary device in which contradictory statements or situations reveal a reality that is different from what appears to be true.
Ask some of the following questions when analyzing literary work:
A literary analysis essay outline is written in standard format: introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. An outline will provide a definite structure for your essay.
I. Introduction: Title
A. a hook statement or sentence to draw in readers
B. Introduce your topic for the literary analysis.
C. Thesis statement: what is your argument or claim for the literary work.
II. Body paragraph
A. first point for your analysis or evidence from thesis
B. textual evidence with explanation of how it proves your point
III. second evidence from thesis
A. textual evidence with explanation of how it proves your point
IV. third evidence from thesis
V. Conclusion
A. wrap up the essay
B. restate the argument and why its important
C. Don't add any new ideas or arguments
VI: Bibliography: Reference or works cited page
End each body paragraph in the essay with a transitional sentence.
Literary Analysis Guide
Discusses how to analyze a passage of text to strengthen your discussion of the literature.
The Writing Center @ UNC-Chapel Hill
Excellent handouts and videos around key writing concepts. Entire section on Writing for Specific Fields, including Drama, Literature (Fiction), and more. Licensed under CC BY NC ND (Creative Commons - Attribution - NonCommercial - No Derivatives).
Creating Literary Analysis (Cordell and Pennington, 2012) – LibreTexts
Resources for Literary Analysis Writing
Some free resources on this site but some are subscription only
Students Teaching English Paper Strategies
The Internet Public Library: Literary Criticism
Table of contents
Have there been times that you have read a short story in class and tried to analyze its meaning by deep-diving into the text to understand it better? If yes, this article is for you.
Short stories are relatively much shorter and less complex than most novels or plays. But that does not mean that they don’t require an in-depth analysis of what is written in the text and what messages the author of the book intends to convey to its readers.
In this article, you will learn how to analyze a short story step-by-step, along with the essential elements of a short story.
In order to analyze a short story step-by-step, it is important to know the basics of story analysis. Let’s take a look at the five key elements of a short story.
Characters (both major and minor) are what bring life to a story. Writers use them to transcend important messages throughout the plotline.
Every character has a purpose, a particular personality, and a developmental arc. To analyze these characters for your short story, you must have the answer to the following questions:
People get invested in fictional characters, relate to them, and see them as real individuals with real personalities, going through real hardships in life.
That's the key motive of the author, and that's what needs to be analyzed.
The setting of a short story depicts the theme of the plot through key metaphors. It revolves around three important points:
This also aids the flow of the plotline, distinguishes the characters, influences viewpoints, and creates an aura for your story.
Even if a story is placed in a historic time and place, from when and where it was originally written, it can influence the entire context of the narrative.
Many stories would seem different and altered if their original setting was changed completely and is thus very crucial in interpreting the concept of the story.
Thus, try to assess how the setting affects the story and how it motivates its characters. Analyze why the author has chosen this particular setting, how the readers respond to it, as well as if there’s any symbolic meaning behind it.
The plotline makes a story by giving it a pattern and a structure to the events that are about to happen. Identifying and analyzing these plotlines will help in giving insights into the explanation of the story.
In short stories, the plot is majorly centered around one important character and their actions, or around one key experience that impacts the story greatly.
Usually, a short story plot has one major storyline, unlike novels, which have multiple trajectories of storylines. Thus, short stories are easier to analyze.
Authors use symbolism to convey messages poetically or indirectly, through their stories, making them more interesting and complex pieces.
Symbolism is depicted using a physical object or even a person to be an abstract idea. For example, a dove represents love and peace and a storm represents hostility and turmoil.
Symbolism can also be used as a metaphor in the narrative, such as life is a roller coaster which portrays life to have its ups and downs.
Similarly, in short story novels, authors symbolize certain conflicts and important issues by using a metaphor or a simile in their story. For example, in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, the officials dismantled the coronations of Caesar's statues, foreshadowing their plan to topple him.
Lastly, the reason you are reading the short story is to identify what you have learned from it and what the moral of the narrative is.
Even though short story novels are crisp, interesting, and entertaining, there is always a life lesson behind each of them. This moral is implied to help the readers understand the author’s perspective, what they want to convey, and what lesson you should learn from the text.
Now that we know the major elements that are involved in crafting an exceptional story analysis, let's take a look at five tips for how to analyze a short story step-by-step.
As you prepare to analyze the short story assigned to you, it is recommended to read and re-read it multiple times. Since it is a short story, you’ll have plenty of time to understand all the details included within the story and the context of the plot.
To analyze the book, divide the narrative into sections. Read each of these sections and write down key points and essential details that are related to these portions of the story. As you do that, summarize your interpretation of the plot into a more understandable and easy piece.
While reading the text, if you come across an interesting subplot, a challenging character arc, or even a major theme that isn't showcased through the text, make it a point of writing them down.
These notes will be your crutch as you begin analyzing your short story for your class assignment. Taking notes brings organization to your thoughts and ideas, as well as gives you proper knowledge about every detail you find in the short story.
Brainstorm multiple ideas and write down the concepts that you find fascinating while reading the book. Always pay close attention to the details to understand the purpose of the text, as well as the author’s point of view on multiple important situations or events.
Identifying important concepts in the short story, such as the main conflict that helps with creating the primary argument for the thesis statement, the characters’ personalities, their defining traits, the choices they make, and also the point of view of the narrator.
The point of view is an essential aspect of the storyline as it creates a lens for the reader to understand and analyze themes, details, characters, and important events in the story.
While examining these concepts, you will realize the intention of the author, how the story was significant to them, and why they made certain choices while writing the short story.
Similarly, exploring the literary devices of the short story, such as the setting, mood, tone, and style of the text, will help further in analyzing the plotline in a more notable way.
When you state an argument in your story analysis, it is always better to back it up with credible sources and accurate evidence. For example, you can paraphrase or directly quote a sentence from your assigned story to claim your point.
However, quotations cannot become evidence unless it is explained how it proves the claims that are being made.
Having good sources for your story analysis gives you a higher level of authority over the book that you are writing about and also makes it easier for the reader to understand the author’s perspective.
It is important to make sure that all the points that have been made for the analysis tie together and ultimately support your thesis.
Keep in mind that the thesis for your short story should not just summarize the plot, and neither should it be a review of the book. Your thesis statement should be an interpretation of the text or an argument that is based on the storyline.
Writing a quality analysis for short stories requires a solid thought process, an organized structure , and the ability to dive deep into the literary meaning of a text.
Here, you understand and think through the author's perspective of the book and why they have chosen to write their thoughts and ideas through this narrative.
Hence, to know how to analyze a short story step-by-step for your class assignments and also score high, you need proper guidance, key steps, and other tips and tricks that put your analysis at the front of the line. This article is here just for that!
If you still find yourself to be stuck, reach out to our analytical essay writing service . Our team of professional writers are experts in analyzing stories and will help you deliver a 100% original short story analysis written from scratch.
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You’ve been assigned a literary analysis paper—what does that even mean? Is it like a book report that you used to write in high school? Well, not really.
A literary analysis essay asks you to make an original argument about a poem, play, or work of fiction and support that argument with research and evidence from your careful reading of the text.
It can take many forms, such as a close reading of a text, critiquing the text through a particular literary theory, comparing one text to another, or criticizing another critic’s interpretation of the text. While there are many ways to structure a literary essay, writing this kind of essay follows generally follows a similar process for everyone
Crafting a good literary analysis essay begins with good close reading of the text, in which you have kept notes and observations as you read. This will help you with the first step, which is selecting a topic to write about—what jumped out as you read, what are you genuinely interested in? The next step is to focus your topic, developing it into an argument—why is this subject or observation important? Why should your reader care about it as much as you do? The third step is to gather evidence to support your argument, for literary analysis, support comes in the form of evidence from the text and from your research on what other literary critics have said about your topic. Only after you have performed these steps, are you ready to begin actually writing your essay.
How to create a topic and conduct research:.
If you are taking a literature course, it is important that you know how to write an analysis—sometimes called an interpretation or a literary analysis or a critical reading or a critical analysis—of a story, a poem, and a play. Your instructor will probably assign such an analysis as part of the course assessment. On your mid-term or final exam, you might have to write an analysis of one or more of the poems and/or stories on your reading list. Or the dreaded “sight poem or story” might appear on an exam, a work that is not on the reading list, that you have not read before, but one your instructor includes on the exam to examine your ability to apply the active reading skills you have learned in class to produce, independently, an effective literary analysis.You might be asked to write instead or, or in addition to an analysis of a literary work, a more sophisticated essay in which you compare and contrast the protagonists of two stories, or the use of form and metaphor in two poems, or the tragic heroes in two plays.
You might learn some literary theory in your course and be asked to apply theory—feminist, Marxist, reader-response, psychoanalytic, new historicist, for example—to one or more of the works on your reading list. But the seminal assignment in a literature course is the analysis of the single poem, story, novel, or play, and, even if you do not have to complete this assignment specifically, it will form the basis of most of the other writing assignments you will be required to undertake in your literature class. There are several ways of structuring a literary analysis, and your instructor might issue specific instructions on how he or she wants this assignment done. The method presented here might not be identical to the one your instructor wants you to follow, but it will be easy enough to modify, if your instructor expects something a bit different, and it is a good default method, if your instructor does not issue more specific guidelines.You want to begin your analysis with a paragraph that provides the context of the work you are analyzing and a brief account of what you believe to be the poem or story or play’s main theme. At a minimum, your account of the work’s context will include the name of the author, the title of the work, its genre, and the date and place of publication. If there is an important biographical or historical context to the work, you should include that, as well.Try to express the work’s theme in one or two sentences. Theme, you will recall, is that insight into human experience the author offers to readers, usually revealed as the content, the drama, the plot of the poem, story, or play unfolds and the characters interact. Assessing theme can be a complex task. Authors usually show the theme; they don’t tell it. They rarely say, at the end of the story, words to this effect: “and the moral of my story is…” They tell their story, develop their characters, provide some kind of conflict—and from all of this theme emerges. Because identifying theme can be challenging and subjective, it is often a good idea to work through the rest of the analysis, then return to the beginning and assess theme in light of your analysis of the work’s other literary elements.Here is a good example of an introductory paragraph from Ben’s analysis of William Butler Yeats’ poem, “Among School Children.”
“Among School Children” was published in Yeats’ 1928 collection of poems The Tower. It was inspired by a visit Yeats made in 1926 to school in Waterford, an official visit in his capacity as a senator of the Irish Free State. In the course of the tour, Yeats reflects upon his own youth and the experiences that shaped the “sixty-year old, smiling public man” (line 8) he has become. Through his reflection, the theme of the poem emerges: a life has meaning when connections among apparently disparate experiences are forged into a unified whole.
In the body of your literature analysis, you want to guide your readers through a tour of the poem, story, or play, pausing along the way to comment on, analyze, interpret, and explain key incidents, descriptions, dialogue, symbols, the writer’s use of figurative language—any of the elements of literature that are relevant to a sound analysis of this particular work. Your main goal is to explain how the elements of literature work to elucidate, augment, and develop the theme. The elements of literature are common across genres: a story, a narrative poem, and a play all have a plot and characters. But certain genres privilege certain literary elements. In a poem, for example, form, imagery and metaphor might be especially important; in a story, setting and point-of-view might be more important than they are in a poem; in a play, dialogue, stage directions, lighting serve functions rarely relevant in the analysis of a story or poem.
The length of the body of an analysis of a literary work will usually depend upon the length of work being analyzed—the longer the work, the longer the analysis—though your instructor will likely establish a word limit for this assignment. Make certain that you do not simply paraphrase the plot of the story or play or the content of the poem. This is a common weakness in student literary analyses, especially when the analysis is of a poem or a play.
Here is a good example of two body paragraphs from Amelia’s analysis of “Araby” by James Joyce.
Within the story’s first few paragraphs occur several religious references which will accumulate as the story progresses. The narrator is a student at the Christian Brothers’ School; the former tenant of his house was a priest; he left behind books called The Abbot and The Devout Communicant. Near the end of the story’s second paragraph the narrator describes a “central apple tree” in the garden, under which is “the late tenant’s rusty bicycle pump.” We may begin to suspect the tree symbolizes the apple tree in the Garden of Eden and the bicycle pump, the snake which corrupted Eve, a stretch, perhaps, until Joyce’s fall-of-innocence theme becomes more apparent.
The narrator must continue to help his aunt with her errands, but, even when he is so occupied, his mind is on Mangan’s sister, as he tries to sort out his feelings for her. Here Joyce provides vivid insight into the mind of an adolescent boy at once elated and bewildered by his first crush. He wants to tell her of his “confused adoration,” but he does not know if he will ever have the chance. Joyce’s description of the pleasant tension consuming the narrator is conveyed in a striking simile, which continues to develop the narrator’s character, while echoing the religious imagery, so important to the story’s theme: “But my body was like a harp, and her words and gestures were like fingers, running along the wires.”
The concluding paragraph of your analysis should realize two goals. First, it should present your own opinion on the quality of the poem or story or play about which you have been writing. And, second, it should comment on the current relevance of the work. You should certainly comment on the enduring social relevance of the work you are explicating. You may comment, though you should never be obliged to do so, on the personal relevance of the work. Here is the concluding paragraph from Dao-Ming’s analysis of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest.
First performed in 1895, The Importance of Being Earnest has been made into a film, as recently as 2002 and is regularly revived by professional and amateur theatre companies. It endures not only because of the comic brilliance of its characters and their dialogue, but also because its satire still resonates with contemporary audiences. I am still amazed that I see in my own Asian mother a shadow of Lady Bracknell, with her obsession with finding for her daughter a husband who will maintain, if not, ideally, increase the family’s social status. We might like to think we are more liberated and socially sophisticated than our Victorian ancestors, but the starlets and eligible bachelors who star in current reality television programs illustrate the extent to which superficial concerns still influence decisions about love and even marriage. Even now, we can turn to Oscar Wilde to help us understand and laugh at those who are earnest in name only.
Dao-Ming’s conclusion is brief, but she does manage to praise the play, reaffirm its main theme, and explain its enduring appeal. And note how her last sentence cleverly establishes that sense of closure that is also a feature of an effective analysis.
You may, of course, modify the template that is presented here. Your instructor might favour a somewhat different approach to literary analysis. Its essence, though, will be your understanding and interpretation of the theme of the poem, story, or play and the skill with which the author shapes the elements of literature—plot, character, form, diction, setting, point of view—to support the theme.
Academic Writing Tips : How to Write a Literary Analysis Paper. Authored by: eHow. Located at: https://youtu.be/8adKfLwIrVk. License: All Rights Reserved. License Terms: Standard YouTube license
BC Open Textbooks: English Literature Victorians and Moderns: https://opentextbc.ca/englishliterature/back-matter/appendix-5-writing-an-analysis-of-a-poem-story-and-play/
The challenges of writing about english literature.
Writing begins with the act of reading . While this statement is true for most college papers, strong English papers tend to be the product of highly attentive reading (and rereading). When your instructors ask you to do a “close reading,” they are asking you to read not only for content, but also for structures and patterns. When you perform a close reading, then, you observe how form and content interact. In some cases, form reinforces content: for example, in John Donne’s Holy Sonnet 14, where the speaker invites God’s “force” “to break, blow, burn and make [him] new.” Here, the stressed monosyllables of the verbs “break,” “blow” and “burn” evoke aurally the force that the speaker invites from God. In other cases, form raises questions about content: for example, a repeated denial of guilt will likely raise questions about the speaker’s professed innocence. When you close read, take an inductive approach. Start by observing particular details in the text, such as a repeated image or word, an unexpected development, or even a contradiction. Often, a detail–such as a repeated image–can help you to identify a question about the text that warrants further examination. So annotate details that strike you as you read. Some of those details will eventually help you to work towards a thesis. And don’t worry if a detail seems trivial. If you can make a case about how an apparently trivial detail reveals something significant about the text, then your paper will have a thought-provoking thesis to argue.
Common Types of English Papers Many assignments will ask you to analyze a single text. Others, however, will ask you to read two or more texts in relation to each other, or to consider a text in light of claims made by other scholars and critics. For most assignments, close reading will be central to your paper. While some assignment guidelines will suggest topics and spell out expectations in detail, others will offer little more than a page limit. Approaching the writing process in the absence of assigned topics can be daunting, but remember that you have resources: in section, you will probably have encountered some examples of close reading; in lecture, you will have encountered some of the course’s central questions and claims. The paper is a chance for you to extend a claim offered in lecture, or to analyze a passage neglected in lecture. In either case, your analysis should do more than recapitulate claims aired in lecture and section. Because different instructors have different goals for an assignment, you should always ask your professor or TF if you have questions. These general guidelines should apply in most cases:
Harvard College Writing Program: https://writingproject.fas.harvard.edu/files/hwp/files/bg_writing_english.pdf
In the same way that we talk with our friends about the latest episode of Game of Thrones or newest Marvel movie, scholars communicate their ideas and interpretations of literature through written literary analysis essays. Literary analysis essays make us better readers of literature.
Only through careful reading and well-argued analysis can we reach new understandings and interpretations of texts that are sometimes hundreds of years old. Literary analysis brings new meaning and can shed new light on texts. Building from careful reading and selecting a topic that you are genuinely interested in, your argument supports how you read and understand a text. Using examples from the text you are discussing in the form of textual evidence further supports your reading. Well-researched literary analysis also includes information about what other scholars have written about a specific text or topic.
Literary analysis helps us to refine our ideas, question what we think we know, and often generates new knowledge about literature. Literary analysis essays allow you to discuss your own interpretation of a given text through careful examination of the choices the original author made in the text.
ENG134 – Literary Genres Copyright © by The American Women's College and Jessica Egan is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.
Firstly to understand what a literary analysis essay means, it’s a way to determine and understand the work of an author, even if it is a single work or an entire body of work. Literary criticism is a description, analysis, evaluation, or interpretation of a particular literary work or an author’s writings as a whole.
Many students, writers, and english scholars are told to write essays on different literary analysis essay topics because this type of assignment helps and makes writers to think about the reason why a poem, short story, novel, or play was written. To analyze literature, writers will need to remember that authors have specific decisions for particular reasons. Your essay should point out the author’s decision and try to explain their intentions.
Learn how to write a book review and check out related guides: poem analysis essay , poetry analysis essay or critical lens essay at EssayHub blog.
The most comprehensive literary analysis definition goes as follows. It is a text that objectively analyzes the weak and strong points of another text. One author shares their opinion on what another author wrote. The most common literary analysis format is an essay.
The writer examines a novel, short story, or another type of fiction created by someone else. They praise or criticize the plot, style, characters, and other aspects of the text. After reading a piece of literary analysis, people should understand whether the book is worthy or not.
When a newbie checks literary analysis examples, they will see that they are very personal. Different people might perceive the same text very differently. It depends on their character, life experience, and cultural background. The aim of writing a literary analysis is to express one’s individual understanding of the text and back it up with facts.
It is not sufficient to say, "I enjoyed every minute of reading this book!" or "It is too dull." All types of literary analysis involve the assessment of both technical and emotional aspects of the text. It implies an impartial balancing of pros and cons.
Imagine that someone is looking for a good book. Their time and finances are limited, so they can afford just one text. They want to avoid hit-or-miss decisions. They prefer an expert to recommend to them what to read.
They do not want this expert to be a high-brow professional critic. They are interested in the opinions of people whose lifestyle and worldview are close to theirs. They read book blogs and unbiased reviews on profile sites. When they finally buy a piece of fiction, they know what to expect of it.
After a reader gains experience, they become ready to share viewpoints with others. They read articles on how to analyze literature and start writing their own reviews. They can post their works in their private blogs or share them on social networks. Plus, literary analysis is an essential part of the educational process in schools and colleges.
There are many topics for literary analysis, but it all depends on the kind of work that a writer analyzes. For instance, the approach is not the same in poems as it is in the case with a play. Before writing it is important to know what you want to analyze in the literature that you have read. That brings us to types of literature analysis. How can a writer analyze the literature? This is done by:
Read the text critically.
When carrying out literature analysis, a person should read slowly. They should start a notebook where they would put down their thoughts. They should take notes when they find themselves in one of the following situations:
When people read an interesting text, they have controversial desires. On the one hand, they want to finish it to get to know what happens in the end. On the other hand, they want to enjoy it for as long as possible. When compiling a literary analysis sample, people should focus on their thoughts and not emotions.
When newbies ask about how to write a good literary analysis, literary devices become the most challenging aspect for them. These devices involve the following terms and notions:
To be able to analyze these aspects, newbies should read theory in textbooks. Also, they should examine enough sample literary analysis essays. They need to see how other writers handle the overview of literary devices without making their texts too formal.
In a literary analysis paper, it is not enough to say that the author has a masterful command of the word. The writer should concentrate on the following important aspects.
It would be wise to answer the following question in a literary analysis essay example. Do all characters speak the same language, or does each one have their particular style? Individual speech manners are significant merits of fiction.
A text can be written either from a first-person or third-person perspective. In a literary analysis example, the author should explain the position of the narrator. Are they omnipresent, or does the reader hardly notice them? Are they reliable, or do they share a distorted version of events?
Writers with little experience might ask how to do literary analysis when the narrator is absent. In this case, speak about the tone. Is it neutral, comic, or tragic? What emotions does it evoke in the readers from the first passage? How often does the reader come across exaggerations, irony, or incongruities?
In a novel, the key elements of literary analysis are chapters. In a play, these constituents are acts and scenes. In a poem, these are lines and stanzas. The author of the essay should think of how skilfully the writer divided their text into parts.
Chapters, scenes, and stanzas should be interconnected logically and emotionally. The last line of the previous part should motivate the reader to glance through the next one. The structure of the text helps emphasize its conflicts and build up the tension. The pauses between every two parts might speak louder than a thousand words.
Most examples of literary analysis essay include comments on the timeline of the story. Do the events unfold in chronological order? Does the author make the readers travel back and forth in a time machine? How easy is it to switch between different time layers, and which effect does it produce?
The following types of conflicts are most likely to be present in a literary analysis:
Instead of one person, there might be a group of people.
Newbies should not get confused about how to write a thesis for a literary analysis. The term "thesis" denotes the main point that they are planning to focus on. Modern books are multifaceted: they feature numerous problems and give readers a lot of food for thought. Yet, the writer should concentrate only on a handful of aspects in their work.
There are three approaches to thesis writing:
The literary analysis thesis of the first type strives to answer the questions "why?" and "how?" The writer tries to explain why the author created that book. Why is their perception of the world so unique and innovative? Why do they draw certain parallels and use specific devices?
This sentence might serve as a good example of an analytical thesis: "Outraged by gender inequality in this Eastern country, the author ridicules the problem instead of trying to undermine the traditions."
An argumentative thesis for literary analysis implies that the writer explains their own perception of the text. They take a certain position that might differ from the opinion of the majority. They further prove their point by quoting the book. For instance: "While most critics perceive this novel as an educational one, I believe that the main conflict lies in the lack of tolerance in society."
Literary analysis thesis examples of the explanatory type do not include the author’s opinion at all. They just help other readers understand the message of the book: "The author depicts their ideal political system."
Write a title.
After reading the title, the person should understand what the literary analysis paper example is about. The title should contain the digest of the paper. It should reveal the writer’s attitude to the piece of fiction that they criticize.
Those who do not know how to start a literary analysis can use a popular trick that works for any book genre. They can include a short quote from the book in the name of their essay. Then, they should put a colon and accompany the quote with their own comment.
The instruction on how to write literary analysis starts with a clear statement of one’s goals. The author should tell their readers what the book they are going to criticize is about and why they chose it. They should share the title of the text and the name of its writer. They might briefly outline the plot and problems of the manuscript. They might focus the readers’ attention on the main points of their essay — language, characters, or conflicts.
All the best examples of literary analysis essay have an identical structure. Each paragraph is focused on one aspect or topic. In the first sentence, the author briefly outlines this topic. That initial phrase should be concise and unambiguous.
The last sentence of each paragraph should summarize its essence. It should not contradict the first phrase and overall logic of the passage.
The writer should avoid lengthy and complicated structures. Even if the author of the book prefers compound sentences, a literary analysis sample should be easier to read. One phrase should contain only one thought. To link sentences, the writer should use transition words.
"The book dissects the impact of virtual reality technologies on the life of single people in cosmopolitan cities" — this is an example of a topic sentence that opens a paragraph. "Nevertheless, its target audience is not geeks or die-hard gamers" — here, the word "nevertheless" serves as a transition.
In any literary analysis template, the writer should back up their opinion with textual evidence. They should quote parts of the original texts only if they contain no more than 30 words. Otherwise, they should reword the quotes to deliver the essence of large passages.\
The answer to the question "How to conclude a literary analysis?" is very simple. The writer needs to reword and sum up everything that they have said above. They should share no original quotes and introduce no new thoughts. It is enough to summarize their main ideas logically and concisely.
Introduction.
Introduction should be sophisticated and creative, and it should catch the reader’s attention, so they can read the rest of the essay. A literary analysis should not sound boring. It should create some enthralling and fascinating quotes, reflection or motives. The main sentences of the introduction should give backdrop facts so that the analysis will make sense; facts such as Title of the Book, Name of Author and little information about the book. Don’t write bulky details of the book the reader would have read this book and they just want to read the analysis. Make sure that your backdrop information and your thesis statement are short and transitional. To make the reader understand and connect to the literature and what exactly is been analyzed. The analysis or thesis statement is what you will prove in your essay, and it should come at the end of your introductory paragraph. The Intro could be more than one paragraph but about 5 important sentences.
The body must be very convincing. Here start rendering evidences of the argument. A convincing body will have at least three to four paragraphs or more. Also, do not go out of context the question has to be related. How does it relate to the overall theme of what the analysis? Make emphasis on the ways in which these elements bestow to the entire quality of the book. Emphasize one major point per paragraph in this section. No need to rush all of your evidence into one idea. Do more reading and analyze different factors in your literary analysis. Argue on a character's development, for example how the individual changes from the beginning to the end of the book. Center core on a character's fatal flaw and query or question the person's mistakes.
The conclusion should end dynamically and energetically. Start rounding up the literary essay paper in the last paragraph. It should include all the major points that have been made in the aforementioned statements of your literary analysis. Also, make emphasis on the on the implications of your argument.
Symbolism Manifestation in Little Prince By Antoine De Saint-Exupery
The storyline arose from the author's personal experience. He survived an airplane accident in a desert. It happened when the writer served as a pilot during World War II.
A seemingly simple-hearted fairy tale has two main plotlines that uncover deeper problems. The leading one is the pilot-narrator line, lined up with the metaphor of adult reality. The second line dwells on the adventures of the Little Prince. Two protagonists travel to different planets, get acquainted with various characters, both positive and negative.
Each planet introduces the readers to a different philosophical conundrum. Each item and being in the book bear unique symbolic meaning.
The Pilot impersonates the author in his adult years. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry was, in fact, a pilot and survived a plane crash in the desert.
The sudden encounter of an adult and a child (both are metaphors for inner psychological states) occurs in the desert, symbolizing the disastrous inner state of the narrator. The story unravels during the repair of the plane. The maintenance itself is a metaphor for mending the inner traumas through direct dialogue with the inner child.
The Little Prince
The description of the Little Prince gives the readers a hint of its relation to the author in his childhood years. Antoine de Saint-Exupery came from an impoverished aristocratic family. Through the Little Prince, the author shows himself. He reveals his struggle to survive within the boring world of adults.
His visit to our planet is a symbol of birth. The return to the home planet occurs through physical death from the poison of a snake. Here, we can observe the impact of Christian religious thinking on the plotline. The physical death of the protagonist is a reference to the religious idea of an immortal soul. Thus, after receiving knowledge about life from the Fox and Pilot, Little Prince has to die to be reborn into a new state.
The line telling about the love of the Little Prince and Rose shows an allegorical depiction of love. It reveals the ironic unsimilarity of how men and women see and express this feeling.
Rose gets introduced to the readers as a proud and beautiful character who has power over the Little Prince and his feelings. Gentle, timid, dewy-eyed Little Prince suffers from the frivolity of Rose. Because of his naïve perception, the protagonist struggled to see that it was necessary to love her for her essence – for the aroma and the joy she brought him.
When the protagonist sees that roses are abundant in the gardens on Earth, he feels disappointed. Later, he meets the Fox who serves as the guide to the little lost being. Fox explains to the protagonist some basic philosophical truths. He teaches the Little Prince to look with his heart, not his eyes, and be responsible for those we have tamed.
When Little Prince absorbs the knowledge imparted by his new friend, he becomes mortal. This transition symbolizes him growing up and shaking off idealistic world perception.
Planets And Their Inhabitants
The author shows his readers two sorts of evil. The first kind of evil reveals itself in the negative sides of separate people.
The inhabitants of different planets, visited by the protagonist, reveal the most dangerous human vices. It seems relevant to note that all of them are adults. Drunkards, politicians, and selfish people seem quite morally bankrupt.
The author exposes life devoid of meaning as a common vice. The only relatable person to the protagonist is a lamplighter. He differs because his craft is good for others.
Baobab Trees
Another element of evil in the book is macro-evil. Baobabs represent evil in general. This image is a metaphor for fascism. Saint-Exupery gently leads the readers to the idea that such evil endangers the world. It should be extinguished like undesirable plants.
The main idea of the used allegories is the presentation of true values. The author contrasts naive and rational ways of world perception, the individual, and the crowd. In the tale, the unraveling of the main themes is connected with compositional structure, metaphors, and similes used by the author.
The author dwells on deep philosophical issues through similes and symbols. He emphasizes such topics as true love, friendship, and loneliness.
Romantic traditions play a keynote role in the plot formation. Unraveling the deep problems of humanity in a form of the fairytale is the main sign of that. It comprises all typical elements of this genre: child protagonist, fairy-tale characters, and a fantastic journey. These symbolic characters and items introduce the depth to the plot. They make readers see deeper into the book and reconsider their perception of reality.
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How to analyze a short story.
Old Fence. A short story has a structure and a message. Can you analyze this picture in much the same way as a short story?
A short story is a work of short, narrative prose that is usually centered around one single event. It is limited in scope and has an introduction, body and conclusion. Although a short story has much in common with a novel (See How to Analyze a Novel), it is written with much greater precision. You will often be asked to write a literary analysis. An analysis of a short story requires basic knowledge of literary elements. The following guide and questions may help you:
Setting is a description of where and when the story takes place. In a short story there are fewer settings compared to a novel. The time is more limited. Ask yourself the following questions:
Study the time period, which is also part of the setting, and ask yourself the following:
Characterization deals with how the characters in the story are described. In short stories there are usually fewer characters compared to a novel. They usually focus on one central character or protagonist. Ask yourself the following:
The plot is the main sequence of events that make up the story. In short stories the plot is usually centered around one experience or significant moment. Consider the following questions:
The narrator is the person telling the story. Consider this question: Are the narrator and the main character the same?
By point of view we mean from whose eyes the story is being told. Short stories tend to be told through one character’s point of view. The following are important questions to consider:
Conflict or tension is usually the heart of the short story and is related to the main character. In a short story there is usually one main struggle.
The climax is the point of greatest tension or intensity in the short story. It can also be the point where events take a major turn as the story races towards its conclusion. Ask yourself:
The theme is the main idea, lesson, or message in the short story. It may be an abstract idea about the human condition, society, or life. Ask yourself:
The author’s style has to do with the his or her vocabulary, use of imagery, tone, or the feeling of the story. It has to do with the author’s attitude toward the subject. In some short stories the tone can be ironic, humorous, cold, or dramatic.
Your literary analysis of a short story will often be in the form of an essay where you may be asked to give your opinions of the short story at the end. Choose the elements that made the greatest impression on you. Point out which character/characters you liked best or least and always support your arguments.
Literary Analysis Essay
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Published on: Aug 16, 2020
Last updated on: Jan 29, 2024
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Literature is an art that can inspire, challenge, and transform us. But how do we analyze literature in a way that truly captures its essence?
That's where a literary analysis essay comes in.
Writing a literary analysis essay allows you to delve into the themes, characters, and symbols of a literary work. It's a chance to engage with literature on a deeper level and to discover new insights.
In this comprehensive guide, we will take you through the process of writing a literary analysis essay, step by step. Plus, you’ll get to read some great examples to help you out!
So let’s dive in!
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Literary analysis is a process of examining a literary work in detail to uncover its meaning and significance.
It involves breaking down the various elements of a work, such as plot, character, setting, and theme. And then analyzing how they work together to create a specific effect on the reader.
In other words, literary analysis is an exercise in interpretation. The reader of a work asks questions about what the author means to say, how they are saying it, and why.
A literary analysis essay is an essay where you explore such questions in depth and offer your own insights.
In general, the purpose of a literary analysis essay is as follows:
A literary analysis essay delves deep into the various aspects of a literary work to examine its meaning, symbolism, themes, and more. Here are the key elements to include in your literary analysis essay:
Plot refers to the sequence of events that make up the storyline of a literary work. It encompasses the main events, conflicts, and resolutions that drive the narrative forward.
The elements of a plot typically include:
Character analysis involves studying the role, development, and motivations of the characters in a literary work. It explores how characters contribute to the overall narrative and themes of the story.
Symbolism and imagery analysis focuses on the use of symbols, objects, or images in a work. It analyzes and explores the use of literary devices to convey deeper meanings and evoke emotions.
Analyzing the theme involves exploring the central ideas or messages conveyed in a literary work. It examines the underlying concepts, or messages that the author wants to convey through the story.
The Setting of a story includes the time, place, and social context in which the story takes place. Analyzing the setting involves how the setting influences the characters, plot, and overall atmosphere of the work.
Structure and style analysis involves studying the organization, narrative techniques, and literary devices employed by the author. It explores how the structure and style contribute to the overall impact and effectiveness of the work.
Paper due? Why Suffer? That's our job.
Writing a great literary analysis piece requires you to follow certain steps. Hereâs what you need to do to write a literary essay:
The pre-writing process for writing a literary analysis essay includes the following:
As a student, you would most probably be assigned a literary piece to analyze. It could be a short story, a novel, or a poem. However, sometimes you get to choose it yourself.
In such a case, you should choose a work that you find interesting and engaging. This will make it easier to stay motivated as you analyze the work and write your essay.
Moreover, you should choose a work that has some depth and complexity. This will give you plenty of material to analyze and discuss in your essay. Finally, make sure that your choice fits within the scope of the assignment and meets the expectations of your instructor.
Once youâve chosen a literary work, it's time to read the work with careful attention. There are several key elements to consider when reading and analyzing a literary work:
Want to learn more about character analysis? Head to our blog about how to conduct character analysis and learn easy steps with examples.
Moreover, it's important to consider the following questions while analyzing:
These questions will help you dive deeper into the work you are writing about.
As you read and analyze the literary work, it's important to take notes so you donât forget important details and ideas. This also helps you identify patterns and connections between different elements of the piece.
One effective way to take notes is to list important elements of the work, such as characters, setting, and theme. You can also use sticky notes, highlighters, or annotations to mark important passages and write down your ideas.
Once you have read a piece of literature and taken notes, you have all the material you need to write an essay. Follow the simple steps below to write an effective literary analysis essay.
Firstly, creating an outline is necessary. This will help you to organize your thoughts and ideas and ensure that your essay flows logically and coherently.
This is what your literary essay outline would look like:
· · Hook Statement · Background Information / Context · Thesis Statement · · Overview of the plot and events · Analysis of the setting · Discussion of the significance of the setting · · Overview of the main characters · Analysis of key character traits and Development · Discussion of the relationships between characters · · Overview of the themes present in the work · Analysis of how the themes are developed and portrayed · Discussion of the significance of the themes · · Restatement of the thesis statement in a new and compelling way · Final thoughts and reflections on the literary work |
Writing your essay introduction involves the three following parts:
Make sure that your hook statement is relevant to the literary work you are writing about. Here are a few examples of effective hooks:
For example, a thesis statement for an essay on "Hamlet" might be:
In 'Hamlet,' Shakespeare explores the complex relationship between revenge and madness, using the character of Hamlet to illustrate the dangers of giving in to one's vengeful impulses. |
Watch this video to learn more about writing an introduction for a literary analysis essay:
Here are the steps to follow when writing a body paragraph for a literary analysis essay:
The topic sentence should introduce the main point or argument you will be making in the paragraph. It should be clear and concise and should indicate what the paragraph is about.
After you have introduced your main point, provide evidence from the text to support your analysis. This could include quotes, paraphrases, or summaries of the text.
Explain how the evidence supports your main point or argument or how it connects back to your thesis statement.
End the paragraph by relating your main point to the thesis and discussing its significance. You should also use transitions to connect the paragraph to your next point or argument.
The conclusion of a literary analysis essay provides closure to your analysis and reinforces your thesis statement. Hereâs what a conclusion includes:
Start by restating your thesis statement in a slightly different way than in your introduction. This will remind the reader of the argument you made and the evidence you provided to support it.
Briefly summarize the main points you made in your essay's body paragraphs. This will help tie everything together and provide closure to your analysis.
The conclusion is the best place to provide some personal reflections on the literary piece. You can also explain connections between your analysis and the larger context. This could include connections to other literary works, your personal life, historical events, or contemporary issues.
End your conclusion with a strong statement that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. This could be a thought-provoking question, a call to action, or a final insight into the significance of your analysis.
Youâve completed the first draft of your literary analysis essay. Congratulations!
However, itâs not over just yet. You need some time to polish and improve the essay before it can be submitted. Hereâs what you need to do:
After completing your draft, you should proofread your essay. You should look out for the following aspects:
Make sure that your ideas are expressed clearly and logically. You should also take a look at your structure and organization. Rearrange your arguments if necessary to make them clearer.
Use spelling and grammar check tools online to identify and correct any basic errors in your essay.
You must have included information about the work or from within the work in your essay. Recheck and verify that it is correct and verifiable.
Make sure that your essay is properly formatted according to the guidelines provided by your instructor. This includes requirements for font size, margins, spacing, and citation style.
Here are some tips below that can help you proofread and revise your essay better:
Reading your essay out loud makes it easier to identify awkward phrasing, repetitive language, and other issues.
It can be helpful to step away from your essay for a little while before starting the editing process. This can help you approach your essay with fresh eyes and a clearer perspective.
Remove any unnecessary words or phrases that do not add to your argument. This can help to make your essay more focused and effective.
You could ask a friend or a teacher to read your essay and provide feedback. This way, you can get some valuable insights on what you could include or catch mistakes that you might have missed.
Reading a few good examples helps to understand literary analysis essays better. So check out these examples below and read them to see what a well-written essay looks like.
How to Write a Literary Analysis Essay
Literary Analysis Essay Example
Sample Literary Analysis Essay
Lord of the Rings Literary Analysis
The Great Gatsby Literary Analysis
Literary Analysis Example for 8th Grade
Need a topic for your literary analysis essay? You can pick any aspect of any work of literature you like. Here are some example topics that will help you get inspired:
To conclude,
Writing a literary analysis essay can be a rewarding experience for any student or writer, But itâs not easy. However, by following the steps you learned in this guide, you can successfully produce a well-written literary analysis essay.
Also, you have got some examples of essays to read and topic ideas to get creative inspiration. With these resources, you have all you need to craft an engaging piece. So donât hesitate to start writing your essay and come back to this blog whenever you need.
The deadline is approaching, but you donât have time to write your essay? No worries! Our analytical essay writing service is here to help you out!
At CollegeEssay.org, we have a team of professional and experienced literature writers who can help you craft a compelling literary essay. Our affordable and reliable essay writing website focuses on providing high-quality essays and deliver them timely.
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What are the 4 components of literary analysis.
The four main components of literary analysis are:
Interpretive is the fundamental characteristic of a literary analysis essay.
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Literary Analysis Essay Writing
Literary Analysis Essay Outline
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How to Write a Literary Analysis Essay - A Step-by-Step Guide
Interesting Literary Analysis Essay Topics & Ideas
Have you ever felt stuck, looking at a blank page, wondering what a literary analysis essay is? You are not sure how to analyze a complicated book or story?
Writing a literary analysis essay can be tough, even for people who really love books. The hard part is not only understanding the deeper meaning of the story but also organizing your thoughts and arguments in a clear way.
But don't worry!
In this easy-to-follow guide, we will talk about a key tool: The Literary Analysis Essay Outline.
We'll provide you with the knowledge and tricks you need to structure your analysis the right way. In the end, you'll have the essential skills to understand and structure your literature analysis better. So, let’s dive in!
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An outline is a structure that you decide to give to your writing to make the audience understand your viewpoint clearly. When a writer gathers information on a topic, it needs to be organized to make sense.
When writing a literary analysis essay, its outline is as important as any part of it. For the text’s clarity and readability, an outline is drafted in the essay’s planning phase.
According to the basic essay outline, the following are the elements included in drafting an outline for the essay:
A detailed description of the literary analysis outline is provided in the following section.
An introduction section is the first part of the essay. The introductory paragraph or paragraphs provide an insight into the topic and prepares the readers about the literary work.
A literary analysis essay introduction is based on three major elements:
Hook Statement: A hook statement is the opening sentence of the introduction. This statement is used to grab people’s attention. A catchy hook will make the introductory paragraph interesting for the readers, encouraging them to read the entire essay.
For example, in a literary analysis essay, “ Island Of Fear,” the writer used the following hook statement:
“As humans, we all fear something, and we deal with those fears in ways that match our personalities.”
Background Information: Providing background information about the chosen literature work in the introduction is essential. Present information related to the author, title, and theme discussed in the original text.
Moreover, include other elements to discuss, such as characters, setting, and the plot. For example:
“ In Lord of the Flies, William Golding shows the fears of Jack, Ralph, and Piggy and chooses specific ways for each to deal with his fears.”
Thesis Statement: A thesis statement is the writer’s main claim over the chosen piece of literature.
A thesis statement allows your reader to expect the purpose of your writing. The main objective of writing a thesis statement is to provide your subject and opinion on the essay.
For example, the thesis statement in the “Island of Fear” is:
“...Therefore, each of the three boys reacts to fear in his own unique way.”
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In body paragraphs, you dig deep into the text, show your insights, and build your argument.
In this section, we'll break down how to structure and write these paragraphs effectively:
Topic sentence: A topic sentence is an opening sentence of the paragraph. The points that will support the main thesis statement are individually presented in each section.
For example:
“The first boy, Jack, believes that a beast truly does exist…”
Evidence: To support the claim made in the topic sentence, evidence is provided. The evidence is taken from the selected piece of work to make the reasoning strong and logical.
“...He is afraid and admits it; however, he deals with his fear of aggressive violence. He chooses to hunt for the beast, arms himself with a spear, and practice killing it: “We’re strong—we hunt! If there’s a beast, we’ll hunt it down! We’ll close in and beat and beat and beat—!”(91).”
Analysis: A literary essay is a kind of essay that requires a writer to provide his analysis as well.
The purpose of providing the writer’s analysis is to tell the readers about the meaning of the evidence.
“...He also uses the fear of the beast to control and manipulate the other children. Because they fear the beast, they are more likely to listen to Jack and follow his orders...”
Transition words: Transition or connecting words are used to link ideas and points together to maintain a logical flow. Transition words that are often used in a literary analysis essay are:
“...Furthermore, Jack fears Ralph’s power over the group and Piggy’s rational thought. This is because he knows that both directly conflict with his thirst for absolute power...”
Concluding sentence: The last sentence of the body that gives a final statement on the topic sentence is the concluding sentence. It sums up the entire discussion held in that specific paragraph.
Here is a literary analysis paragraph example for you:
Literary Essay Example Pdf
The last section of the essay is the conclusion part where the writer ties all loose ends of the essay together. To write appropriate and correct concluding paragraphs, add the following information:
For example,
“ In conclusion, William Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies exposes the reader to three characters with different personalities and fears: Jack, Ralph, and Piggy. Each of the boys tries to conquer his fear in a different way. Fear is a natural emotion encountered by everyone, but each person deals with it in a way that best fits his/her individual personality.”
A literary analysis essay delves into the examination and interpretation of a literary work, exploring themes, characters, and literary devices.
Below is a guide outlining the format for a structured and effective literary analysis essay.
or attention-grabbing opening statement. about the author and the literary work. that presents the main argument or purpose of your analysis. Introduction to the literary work and its context. Analysis of the work's major themes and motifs. Examination of the author's writing style and literary techniques. In-depth analysis of specific literary devices used in the work. Discussion of character development, relationships, and character arcs. Exploration of the plot structure, conflicts, and resolutions. Analysis of the setting and its role in the narrative. Examination of the work's cultural, historical, or societal context. Evaluation of the work's impact on readers or its relevance today. and summarize the key points of your analysis. or reflections on the work's significance and relevance. new ideas in the conclusion. the literary work using the appropriate citation style (e.g., MLA, APA, Chicago). or references page listing all sources used. |
To fully understand a concept in a writing world, literary analysis outline examples are important. This is to learn how a perfectly structured writing piece is drafted and how ideas are shaped to convey a message.
The following are the best literary analysis essay examples to help you draft a perfect essay.
AP Literary Analysis Essay Outline
Literary Analysis Essay Outline Middle School
High School Literary Analysis Essay Outline
Literary Analysis Essay Outline College (PDF)
Literary Analysis Essay Rubric (PDF)
Literary Analysis Essay Example Romeo & Juliet (PDF)
Are you seeking inspiration for your next literary analysis essay? Here is a list of literary analysis essay topics for you:
Need more topics? Read our literary analysis essay topics blog!
All in all, writing a literary analysis essay can be tricky if it is your first attempt. Apart from analyzing the work, other elements like a topic and an accurate interpretation must draft this type of essay.
If you are in doubt to draft a perfect essay, get professional assistance from our essay service .
We are a professional essay writing company that provides guidance and helps students to achieve their academic goals. Our qualified writers assist students by providing assistance at an affordable price.
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You need to interpret a piece of writing for a literary analysis essay. With the deadline quickly approaching, you don’t know where to begin! That’s exactly why we’ve explained how to write such an essay and provided multiple literary analysis essay examples.
Here’s a simple literary analysis essay definition: A personal interpretation of a piece of writing. It’s not just a summary or an explanation of a piece of writing but an argumentative take that highlights your take on a particular poem or story. This is evidenced by the support of quoted sections from the original piece.
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Here are the steps to write a literary analysis essay in detail:
In order to understand how to start a literary analysis essay, you need to realize the importance of strong research. Before you begin writing your essay , make sure to thoroughly go through your text and take detailed notes. Observe and note the words used by the author, the structure and tone of the piece, the point of view, and so on.
The goal here is to build textual connections within and outside the text. Ask yourself the following questions:
Let’s take a deeper look at how to analyze a literary text:
While writing an essay , studying the structure of a text is an indispensable part of literary analysis. Authors and poets divide their texts into chapters, scenes, or stanzas, which may be deliberate and intentional. Pay close attention to the organization of the text to obtain clues into the author’s intention or to create your own arguments about it.
When analyzing novels or short stories, focus on the following details:
When analyzing poems, ask the following questions:
A play is the most structured genre of writing. When analyzing, focus on the following aspects:
One of the most important aspects of a piece of writing is the point of view from which it is written. While going through your text you need to observe who “speaks” and the manner in which they do.
Is the narrator removed from the text or are they part of it? Are they narrating the events faithfully or distorting it according to their perspective? Does the main character of the story or poem break the fourth wall by directly addressing the reader?
Often, writers make use of distorted points of view recounted by an unreliable narrator. One such example is The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allen Poe. In his short story, Poe delves into the mind of a highly disturbed individual who is fixated on an old man’s “vulture eye”. This distorted perspective can suggest a variety of literary analysis essay topics.
While going through the text, focus on the language and tone used by the author. Try to answer the following questions as you analyze the writing:
After making notes on the language structure, you can move on to the broader aspects of the piece such as the narrative voice.
Also read: Top 10 Essay Writing Tools in 2023 | Plan, Write, Get Feedback
A thesis statement for a literary analysis essay is the main point or argument made based on the analysis of a particular text. It is the base that gives your essay direction and keeps it from being an arbitrary assembly of events or a mere summary.
While deciding upon your thesis statement, it is a good idea to pick an argument that can be proven or disproven with the help of the information provided in the text.
Make sure that your thesis statement is a well-rounded argument and not simply a yes or no answer. Here are some examples of well-written and poorly-written thesis statements:
Romeo and Juliet is a literary classic that is based on the themes of love and betrayal.
The themes of love and betrayal are blatantly portrayed in Romeo and Juliet . Your thesis statement should be a nuanced and, at times, debatable take on the text under scrutiny.
Here’s a better example:
The nurse’s actions and decisions in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet significantly contribute to the tragic deaths of the titular characters.
The following thesis statement examines the role of Juliet’s nurse and confidante. It discusses how the careless actions of the nurse resulted in the tragic death of the main characters.
Let’s consider one more thesis statement:
Edgar Allan Poe makes use of symbolism and repetition to enhance his poem The Raven .
Although the thesis statement describes important literary devices used in Poe’s poem, it does not include any argument that can be elaborated on or debated.
Here’s a more well-rounded example:
In Edgar Allan Poe’s poem The Raven , the repetition of the word “nevermore” serves as a haunting and symbolic refrain, representing the protagonist’s descent into despair.
The following thesis statement example focuses on the significance of the word “nevermore” in The Raven . Although the thesis statement also revolves around literary devices, the significance behind “nevermore” is interpreted with a specific approach. This creates an argument that can be elaborated on or contradicted.
A literary analysis essay generally consists of three body paragraphs, along with an introduction and conclusion. However, the number of body paragraphs present varies from one essay to another. Understand the structure of a MEAL paragraph to write effective body paragraphs.
Each body paragraph begins with a topic sentence. This sentence details the aspect on which your body paragraph is based. Make sure that each body paragraph discusses only one aspect of your literary analysis essay.
Each topic sentence should be evidenced with the help of information present in the piece of writing. This information can be in the form of direct quotes, summaries, as well as paraphrases. It is important to ensure that these pieces of information are focused and relevant to the point you’re trying to make.
Each body paragraph is concluded with a transition that links to the next topic sentence. Here’s an example of an effective body paragraph:
The raven’s perch upon the bust of Pallas, the goddess of wisdom, enhances the symbolic significance of the word “nevermore.” In stanza 14, the speaker describes the raven’s positioning, stating, “Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door.” This juxtaposition of the raven, a symbol of death and darkness, with the statue of wisdom, reinforces the irony and futility of the protagonist’s quest for answers. The symbol of the raven, paired with the recurring utterance of “nevermore,” serves as a constant reminder of the protagonist’s entrapment within his grief. The gloomy atmospheric setting along with a constant sense of despair heightens the overall feeling of hopelessness which contributes to the tragic mood of The Raven .
Also read: How to Write an Essay Outline: 5 Examples & Free Template
Like all essay types, the conclusion of a literary essay analysis shouldn’t introduce any new arguments. Rather, this space should be used to emphasize the significance of your argument. This can be done by summarizing all the key aspects of your essay and linking them back to your main argument.
It’s a good idea to conclude your essay with the help of a powerful statement that creates an impression. This can include a quote by the author of the piece you’re analyzing or your own interpretation of the subject matter.
Here’s an example of a well-rounded conclusion:
As we can see, the repeated use of the word “nevermore” serves as a powerful symbol that encapsulates the protagonist’s descent into despair and his futile struggle to find solace or meaning in the face of loss. Through the relentless repetition of this word, Poe creates a sense of finality and negation that magnifies the protagonist’s torment, leaving him trapped in a cycle of despair. The raven, perched upon the bust of Pallas, further intensifies the symbolism, as it becomes an embodiment of the protagonist’s own tortured thoughts and emotions, denying him the wisdom and solace he yearns for. The poem’s dark and atmospheric setting adds to the overall mood, enhancing the emotional impact of the narrative. Together, these elements converge to create a chilling exploration of the fragility of the human psyche in the face of irrevocable loss.
Having written the body paragraphs and conclusion, you can construct an attractive title and introduction based on the content of the rest of your essay.
The introduction of your essay provides a quick overview of the direction it’ll follow. It may include a general theme present in your chosen piece of literature or your take on a particular aspect of the text.
Make sure to cite the name of the text in question along with the writer of the piece in your essay introduction . This will provide the readers with the necessary context for your essay. Your introduction can also include a commonly held interpretation of a piece of writing by the general public. This belief can either be substantiated or disproven by evidence present in the text.
Your introduction provides a synthesis of the main argument you’d like to present in your essay, also known as the thesis statement. You could also end with a brief overview of your essay by signposting the main topics you’d like to discuss in your essay.
Here’s an example of an ideal essay introduction:
Edgar Allan Poe’s iconic poem, The Rave, is a masterpiece of gothic literature that delves into the depths of human emotions and the haunting presence of loss. Within this enigmatic work, Poe employs the repetition of a single word, “nevermore,” as a haunting and symbolic refrain. In this essay, we will explore how the repetitive use of “nevermore” serves as a profound symbol, representing the protagonist’s descent into despair and his futile struggle to find solace or meaning in the face of overwhelming loss.
The first thing that attracts the reader to your work is an attractive title. An effective title should be succinct and to the point, yet intriguing. An effective essay title consists of the name of the text you’re examining accompanied by the aspect you’ve analyzed.
Using the name of the text concerned without any alteration is simply not sufficient. You also have to put your own spin on it. The idea is to provide the gist of your essay in a single sentence. There are several ways in which you can do this.
Here are a few examples of effective literary essay titles:
The following literary analysis essay example examines the role of Captain Arthur Hastings as an unreliable narrator in Agatha Christie’s last novel, Curtains. It explores how the personal biases of Hastings add a sense of mystery to the novel.
Examining Hastings’ Perspective in Agatha Christie’s Curtains
Agatha Christie’s novel Curtains presents readers with a captivating murder mystery, skillfully crafted to keep them guessing until the very end. The role of Captain Arthur Hastings, both a close friend and narrator of the story, is crucial in shaping the readers’ understanding of events. However, an analysis of Hastings’ character reveals that he is an unreliable narrator, prone to biases and limited perceptions. This essay explores the reasons behind Hastings’ unreliability and its impact on the reader’s interpretation of the narrative.
Hastings’ unreliability stems from his inherent subjectivity and personal biases. As an involved character in the story, he possesses preconceived notions about the suspects, events, and motives. This subjectivity can cloud his judgment and influence the information he chooses to reveal or withhold from the readers. His personal biases can lead to misinterpretations, creating a skewed version of events that may misdirect readers in their pursuit of the truth.
Another factor contributing to Hastings’ unreliability is his limited observations and perceptions. As a narrator, he can only provide insights into what he personally witnesses or is directly told by others. Consequently, his knowledge is restricted to the information available to him at any given moment. Hastings may overlook crucial details, misinterpret clues, or fail to grasp the significance of certain actions due to his limited perspective. This limitation can result in gaps or inaccuracies in the narrative, causing readers to form incomplete or incorrect conclusions.
Hastings’ emotional involvement and personal relationships further contribute to his unreliability. His close friendship with Hercule Poirot, for example, may lead him to downplay or overlook Poirot’s mistakes or biases. Additionally, Hastings’ emotional state throughout the investigation, whether it be fear, confusion, or loyalty, can impact his ability to objectively interpret events. Emotions can cloud his judgment and affect his narrative, potentially leading readers astray in their own deductions.
Agatha Christie’s choice to present Captain Hastings as an unreliable narrator adds an element of uncertainty and intrigue to the story. His subjectivity, limited observations, and emotional influences all contribute to his unreliability, shaping the readers’ understanding and interpretation of events. By questioning his version of the truth and scrutinizing his biases and perceptions, readers are encouraged to actively engage in the process of solving the mystery alongside the characters. The unreliability of his narration serves as a reminder that in the world of detective fiction, unraveling the truth requires careful consideration and a discerning eye.
Alongside offering expert essay editing services , it’s our duty to ensure that you have all the tools to improve your writing skills. Here are some resources you may find helpful:
What is the purpose of a literary analysis essay, how to write a hook for an essay, what is the fundamental characteristic of a literary analysis essay, how to title a literary analysis essay, how long is a literary analysis essay.
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Writing about a short story is an “exposition.” This means that you describe, explain, and clarify the short story to your reader(s). An assignment that requires you to write an essay on a short story generally requires detailed clarification of one aspect of the story. For example in about 500 words, you can adequately describe the plot, characterization, or theme of the story. You cannot write about everything unless you are writing a paper on the subject.
Literary analysis rules remain the same whether you analyze a poem, novel, or a short story. Careful application of these rules can make the essay writing process considerably easier.
Here are some quick tips to write an analysis essay on a short story:
Some students find writing literary analysis papers rather daunting. Yet, an English class cannot go without this kind of work. By the way, writing literary analysis essays is not that complicated as it seems at a glance. On the contrary, this work may be fascinating, and you have a chance to study your favorite works of literature more in-depth.
Literary analysis implies that you read a certain piece of literature in a particular way. You need to break it into parts and see how each of these parts work . How to do this exactly? How to start a literary analysis essay? Continue reading this article by Custom-writing experts, and soon you’ll become an expert too!
📑 literary analysis outline.
It is one of the types of an argumentative essay in which you carry out an in-depth investigation of a novel, story, poem, play, or any other literary creation. The purpose is to explore the reasons for certain technical and artistic choices of the author and interpret their meaning.
This academic assignment aims to examine and evaluate a literary work or its aspect. The definition of a literary analysis essay presupposes the study of literary devices, choice of language, perspective, imagery, and structure of the text. These techniques are examined to understand the ideas the author intended to convey.
Feel free to use the following literary analysis outline . It will make your work much easier!
✔️ | Start with the and . One or two sentences will suffice. Stress on the main idea of the analyzed work to make these sentences more hooking. |
✔️ | Briefly tell or how it influenced the world literature. Why is it worth the analysis? What conflicts are raised by the author? |
✔️ | Make a for your literary analysis essay. Explain your main idea and the major points you make. This is the most substantial sentence in your analysis. |
✔️ | Come up with a paragraph . Three paragraphs are enough for a 500-750 word essay. |
✔️ | Start each paragraph with a . For a smooth flow of the body paragraphs, use transition words “moreover,” “however,” “in addition,” etc. |
✔️ | Then you need to give . Everything should be supported with evidence from the text (quotations, descriptions, paraphrases, substantiations, etc.) |
✔️ | Finish each paragraph with a answering the question: |
✔️ | This is the final paragraph of your literary analysis paper that will give it a sense of completeness. Here, you can , give your comments on the work, share your feelings, etc. |
❌ | Never introduce new topics here. |
✔️ | Emphasize and . |
Find more details and a step-by-step guide on writing your literary analysis in the next section.
Step 1. read critically.
If you wonder how to start the literary analysis, the answer is careful reading. At this stage, you need to find out the main themes of the novel. Make a list of them and note the pages where you can find evidence of the main ideas later. This method can be applied for all the references, as an academic paper requires you to indicate pages in the text for any quotations and paraphrases.
At this stage, the text’s events are important since they convey the main theme or the principal idea. You should rather focus on literary devices, choice of language, structure, and narrative voice. These are the elements of the text that create visual and emotional effects and convey the meaning.
World classics and modern professional literature are valuable because of their multifaceted conflicts, well-thought structure, and abundant literary devices. Even the long research thesis cannot comprise all of them. Choose an aspect that stroke you the most in the course of critical reading. Formulate the intention of your analysis in one sentence. Make it succinct and to the point. The thesis tells your readers what you will tell them, but it also implies what you are not going to discuss.
A thesis statement should clearly describe the topic scope and the writer’s approach to it. It is a claim about the text that will be proved in the essay. A thesis can be argumentative, analytical, or explanatory. The samples given below will make the difference clear.
ANALYTICAL THESIS | ARGUMENTATIVE THESIS | EXPLANATORY THESIS |
---|---|---|
breaks down an idea into analyzable parts; should provide an answer to the question of “how” or “why.” | presupposes that you need to take a position on a debatable topic | is based on factual information and does not include the author’s opinion |
“In Hemingway’s Santiago is portrayed as a Christ-like character through the multiple allusions to the Bible.” | “The restrictions and limitations of female characters in Jane Austen’s define their behavior and attitude to life.” | “George Orwell’s ” |
Your thesis statement requires sufficient textual evidence. In the previous step, you gathered much information, so now, it will be easier to find passages and quotations that refer to the subject. You may not use everything you have discovered in your writing, but having enough material at hand will help to structure the arguments.
Wrap up the essay without introducing any new ideas and avoiding direct quotations. Summarize everything you have mentioned above in different words. Then stress the thesis once again, highlighting the new perspective the essay has opened.
Good luck with your assignment! Note that the information that you will find in articles about a literary criticism essay and Lady Macbeth essay can also also be useful.
Here is a possible definition: a description of some peculiarities of a literary text in a structured and cohesive way. It should include some elements of a research report. There are countless examples of such essays available online and in books.
It is always a good idea to create an essay outline first. Write a minimum of 3-4 key ideas for the body part. Then, exemplify those points (you may cite the text). Then, add an appropriate introduction and a corresponding conclusion.
If you need to write a literary analysis, begin with an outline. It will help you proceed step by step without losing the structure. Think about the peculiar features of the literary text you analyze. Brush up the principles of analytical writing, too.
A book analysis essay summarizes literary research and includes examples, review elements, etc. The purpose of such a paper is to help readers understand the book better. Just like any other essay, it should be appropriately structured: an appropriate introduction, several body paragraphs, a logical conclusion.
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Exemplification essays, which are also called illustration essays, are considered one of the easiest papers to write. However, even the easiest tasks require some experience and practice. So, if you are not experienced enough in writing exemplification essays, you will face certain challenges.
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What is a documented essay and what is the purpose of it? It is a type of academic writing where the author develops an opinion relying on secondary resources. A documented essay can be assigned in school or college. You should incorporate arguments and facts from outside sources into the...
What is a reflexive essay? If you have just received the assignment and think there is a typo, you’re in the right place. Long story short, no, there is no mistake. You actually need to write a reflexive essay, not a reflective one. The thing is that reflective and reflexive...
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I have to type out an essay over this story “everyday use” but how would I start off the paragraph so that it can flow good??? Please help
This was really useful. Thank you so much!
Love your blog and all posts. They helped me write many of my academic assignments. This post on writing literary analysis essays is what I need right now! Thanks!
Thanks for the steps to write an excellent literary analysis essay! I’m thrilled to find your blog! There is always something really useful for students writing various papers.
How to analyze a short story.
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Table of contents. Step 1: Reading the text and identifying literary devices. Step 2: Coming up with a thesis. Step 3: Writing a title and introduction. Step 4: Writing the body of the essay. Step 5: Writing a conclusion. Other interesting articles.
The term regularly used for the development of the central idea of a literary analysis essay is the body. In this section you present the paragraphs (at least 3 paragraphs for a 500-750 word essay) that support your thesis statement. Good literary analysis essays contain an explanation of your ideas and evidence from the text (short story,
Assignment Description: For this essay, you will choose a short story and write an analysis that offers an interpretation of the text. You should identify some debatable aspect of the text and argue for your interpretation using your analysis of the story supported by textual evidence. Content: The essay should have a clear argumentative thesis ...
A literary analysis essay is an important kind of essay that focuses on the detailed analysis of the work of literature. The purpose of a literary analysis essay is to explain why the author has used a specific theme for his work. Or examine the characters, themes, literary devices, figurative language, and settings in the story.
Microsoft Word - Literary analysis.rtf. The purpose of a literary analysis essay is to carefully examine and sometimes evaluate a work of literature or an aspect of a work of literature. As with any analysis, this requires you to break the subject down into its component parts. Examining the different elements of a piece of literature is not an ...
Literary analysis looks critically at a work of fiction in order to understand how the parts contribute to the whole. When analyzing a novel or short story, you'll need to consider elements such as the context, setting, characters, plot, literary devices, and themes. Remember that a literary analysis isn't merely a summary or review, but ...
A short story analysis essay follows a different format from other literature essays. That said, to help with that, here are instructive steps and helpful tips. 1. Take Down Notes. Considering that you have read the short story a couple of times, the first step you should take before writing your essay is to summarize and write down your notes ...
Step 1: Read the Text Thoroughly. Literary analysis begins with the literature itself, which means performing a close reading of the text. As you read, you should focus on the work. That means putting away distractions (sorry, smartphone) and dedicating a period of time to the task at hand.
A literary analysis essay outline is written in standard format: introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. An outline will provide a definite structure for your essay. I. Introduction: Title. A. a hook statement or sentence to draw in readers. B. Introduce your topic for the literary analysis.
Read and summarize. As you prepare to analyze the short story assigned to you, it is recommended to read and re-read it multiple times. Since it is a short story, you'll have plenty of time to understand all the details included within the story and the context of the plot. To analyze the book, divide the narrative into sections.
These 4 steps will help prepare you to write an in-depth literary analysis that offers new insight to both old and modern classics. 1. Read the text and identify literary devices. As you conduct your literary analysis, you should first read through the text, keeping an eye on key elements that could serve as clues to larger, underlying themes.
A literary analysis essay asks you to make an original argument about a poem, play, or work of fiction and support that argument with research and evidence from your careful reading of the text. It can take many forms, such as a close reading of a text, critiquing the text through a particular literary theory, comparing one text to another, or ...
One author shares their opinion on what another author wrote. The most common literary analysis format is an essay. The writer examines a novel, short story, or another type of fiction created by someone else. They praise or criticize the plot, style, characters, and other aspects of the text.
A short story is a work of short, narrative prose that is usually centered around one single event. It is limited in scope and has an introduction, body and conclusion. Although a short story has much in common with a novel (See How to Analyze a Novel), it is written with much greater precision. You will often be asked to write a literary analysis.
Writing the Body. Here are the steps to follow when writing a body paragraph for a literary analysis essay: Start with a topic sentence: The topic sentence should introduce the main point or argument you will be making in the paragraph. It should be clear and concise and should indicate what the paragraph is about.
work. For a short story, you might identify a particular theme (like the difficulty of transitioning from adolescence to adulthood) and show how the writer suggests that theme through the story's point of view. Literary analysis guide for: novels poetry plays short stories The Writing Center @ PVCC Literary analysis: a process of
Paragraph 1. Sylvia Plath's short poem "Morning Song" explores the conflicted emotions of a new mother. On the one hand, the mother recognizes that she is expected to treasure and celebrate her infant, but on the other hand, she feels strangely removed from the child. The poem uses a combination of scientific and natural imagery to ...
Paragraph 1: Introduction to the literary work and its context. Paragraph 2: Analysis of the work's major themes and motifs. Paragraph 3: Examination of the author's writing style and literary techniques. Paragraph 4: In-depth analysis of specific literary devices used in the work.
1. Read and analyze the text. In order to understand how to start a literary analysis essay, you need to realize the importance of strong research. Before you begin writing your essay, make sure to thoroughly go through your text and take detailed notes. Observe and note the words used by the author, the structure and tone of the piece, the ...
Here are some quick tips to write an analysis essay on a short story: Read the short story twice: Once for pleasure, the second time for intellectual reasons. A story can and should elicit emotional responses. It may make you sad, happy, thoughtful, or angry. When you move from the emotional level to the intellectual level, you look at the form ...
Step 1. Read Critically. If you wonder how to start the literary analysis, the answer is careful reading. At this stage, you need to find out the main themes of the novel. Make a list of them and note the pages where you can find evidence of the main ideas later.
A short story is a short, narrative prose that is usually centered around one single event. A short story, in contrast to a novel, focuses on one moment or a particular time in the life of the protagonist (s). Short stories are works of fiction, which means that even though they may be inspired by real-life events, we are to assume most of the ...