Getting the most points on your Literary Analysis Paper

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Getting the most points on your Literary
Analysis Paper
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Read the Directions Carefully

• You must chose two works by different authors
  that have significant similarities as well as
  differences.
• As part of the assignment, you will quote from
  the primary text as well as include research from
  outside sources
• a minimum of 3 outside sources is required.

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Analysis

• Choose how you are going to analyze the two works
  you have chosen
• 1 - choose a specific literary concept we
  learned in class such as the heros journey,
  epic poetry, or creation tales
• 2 then choose three of the following points
  character, audience, theme, symbolism, and
  overall message (are both works saying the same
  thing about life or something different?).

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Summary versus Analysis

• A summary re-tells a story.
• An analysis examines the cause or effect of an
  incident in the story, compares or contrasts 2
  characters, explains how an event occurred etc
• Ex Mary had a little lamb

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• Summary Mary had a little lamb. It followed her
  to school. No lambs were allowed in school. The
  children laughed.
• Analysis one reason Mary may have brought the
  lamb to school was to get attention. All the
  children laughed and played, making Mary feel
  at the center and popular.

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Summary Page

• 1 page, single space, brief summary of both
  works.
• This will be the last page of your Literary
  Analysis Paper.

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Writing Your Essay

• Basic essay parts
• Introduction lead in, transition sentences,
  thesis
• Body Paragraphs topic sentences, good examples,
  and quotes
• Conclusion restates thesis in different words,
  summarizes main points, gives your opinion

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Title Introduction

• Clever Title
• Interesting attention getter
• Transition sentences that announce the two works
• Thesis Statement plan of development
• Remember the thesis is the LAST sentence in
  your introduction.

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Body Paragraphs

• Topic sentence with transition
• Main points need to be supported by quotes from
  the two primary works and outside sources
• Clear illustration how the quote supports your
  point

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Using quotes in an Essay

• Using a quote requires 3 sentences
• 1. Your Idea
• 2. Quote
• 3. Explanation how quote supports your idea

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Quote Examples

• My Idea
• Mary appears to have a fetish for lamb wool
• 2. Quote
• Dr. Benton states that Marys proclivity for
  her lamb makes her pet it often and bring it with
  her. (Benton 22)
• 3. Explanation of how quote supports my idea.
• Marys constant need to touch and stroke her
  lamb illustrates Marys obsession.

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Conclusion

• Restate your thesis in different words
• Tells what youve learned by analyzing the two
  works
• What did you learn about poetry, short stories
  and plays?

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Works Cited Page Summary

• Works Cited - Follow Correct MLA Format
• Write MLA Information as you research!
• Check out this website it has how to cite MLA
  style and more to help you!
• http//www.cuyamaca.net/tpagaard/EnglDept/Resource
  s.htm
• The summary page is the last page of your essay.

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Quick Tips for College Essays

• Ask Questions Early
• Start Sooner than Later
• Research, Then Outline, Then Write
• Librarians Can Help
• Share Your Essay