Literary Analysis

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Literary Analysis
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What is a literary analysis?

• A literary analysis is an interpretation of the
  written text, which involves the use of concepts
  specifically associated with literature.

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Literary Concepts

• The Basics Additional Concepts
• Plot Historical Content
• Setting
  Social significance
• Characterization
  Political view point
• Symbolism Ideology
• Metaphors
  Critical Orientation
• Genre Literary
  Theory
• Irony/ambiguity Multiple
  voices
• Narration/ambiguity

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How to argue in an analysis

• Focus on specific attributes of the text
• Make sure your specific point(s) (thesis) are
  arguable.
• Defend your point(s) with reason, based on
  evidence from the text (dialogue, description,
  setting, etc.).
• Argue your points much like a legal advocate. You
  can argue either strongest evidence first/weakest
  last or vice versa, whatever works best in your
  opinion.
• Remember, your audience is the judge.

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Thesis Statements

• The thesis statement
• Sets the argument to control the focus of the
  entire paper
• Provides unity and a sense of direction
• Specifies to the reader (audience) the point of
  the analysis

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Thesis Statements

• In Death of a Salesman Miller uses Uncle
  Charlies relationship with his successful son
  Bernard to emphasize Willy Lomans failure as a
  father.
• The Great Gatsby presents a world in which
  marriage, the stock market, and even the World
  Series are corrupted by selfish greed.
• Ralph Ellisons Battle Royale highlights the
  bankruptcy of Booker T. Washingtons separate
  but equal approach to race relations.

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How to Support a Thesis Statement

• Use examples from the text
• Direct quotations
• Summaries of scenes
• Paraphrases
• Other critics opinions
• Historical, social, economic context
• Use secondary sources

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Secondary Sources

• What is a secondary source?
• A book or article that discusses the text you
  are discussing.
• A book or article that discusses a
  theory related to the argument you are
  making.
• A book or article that discusses
  the social, political, or economic context
  of the text you are discussing.

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Integrating Secondary Sources

• Be sure to show how a secondary source relates
  to your thesis.
• Dont overuse any one secondary source, or for
  that matter, secondary sources in general.
• Remember that this is your paper, your
  argument
• the secondary sources are just helping your
  argument.
• NEVER plagiarize from a secondary source.

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Additional Strategies

1. Avoid summarizing the work analyzed.
2. Narrow the scope of your response.
3. Pre-write to explore the topic develop a
   thesis.
4. Support your thesis with evidence from the text.
5. Avoid extensive direct quotations.
6. Write in the present tense.
7. After writing the first draft, review the work
   and examine your thesis and supporting evidence.
8. Proofread re-write Do NOT rely on spellcheck!

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Where Can I Go for More Help

• The Rio Grande Campus Writing Center
• Bldg. A Room 112
• Monday Thursday 8am 5p
• Friday 8am 3pm

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The Moon Cannot Be Stolen

• Ryokan, a Zen master, lived the simplest kind of
  life in a little hut at the foot of a mountain.
  One evening a thief visited the hut only to
  discover there was nothing in it to steal.
• Ryokan returned and caught him. "You may have
  come a long way to visit me," he told the
  prowler, "and you should not return empty handed.
  Please take my clothes as a gift."
• The thief was bewildered. He took the clothes and
  slunk away.
• Ryokan sat naked, watching the moon. "Poor
  fellow, " he mused, "I wish I could give him this
  beautiful moon."