Literary Analysis

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Literary Analysis

• The Cask of Amontillado

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Definition

• To examine an aspect or part of a piece of
  literature
• To explain what a piece of writing means or does
• Allows writer to express knowledge of literary
  devices and elements
• Allows writer to express an opinion and prove it

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Purpose/Audience/Tone

• Purpose- to share, explain or convince reader
• Audience- the teacher/class
• Tone- formal

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What to discuss

• Repetition
• Foreshadowing
• Setting
• Character
• Terror
• Imagery
• Irony

• Symbolism
• Figurative language
• Similes
• metaphors
• Use of senses
• Suspense

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Planning

• Prewrite
• Focus on your topic
• Jot down ideas
• Jot down proof from story
• At least three ideas
• Thesis statement
• Main idea of your writing put into sentence

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Planning

• Evidence
• From story
• Quotes from text
• Order
• Outline
• Order of importance
• Chronological

• Structure
• Introduction
• Use author and name of work in introduction
• Body
• Conclusion

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Tips for writing a literary analysis

• Use present tense
• Use 3rd person POV
• Dont summarize story
• Do not use contractions
• Do not confuse author with characters or narrator

• Support what you state with evidence from story-
  see Planning slide
• Develop a creative title that relates to your
  topic
• Have someone edit and proof read your work

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More Tips

• Use 61 traits- pages 41-45
• Show, not tell
• Vary types of sentences and their beginning- see
  page 35
• Use descriptive words- see pages 36-40 and 46-51
• Use transitions- see page 34
• Use logical order
• Make someone want to read it
• Edit, revise and proofread- make it perfect

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Outline Format

• I. Introduction
• A. Opening statement
• B. Thesis Statement
• See page 33 in Writers handbook

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Outline 2

• II. Body
• A. First idea (First Person)
• 1. Fact
• a. Support
• b. Support
• 2. Fact
• a. Support
• b. Support
• 3. Fact
• a. Support
• b. Support

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Outline 3

• B. Second idea (imagery)
• 1. Fact
• a. Support
• b. Support
• 2. Fact
• a. Support
• b. Support
• 3. Fact
• a. Support
• b. Support

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Outline 4

• C. Third idea (foreshadowing)
• 1. Fact
• a. Support
• b. Support
• 2. Fact
• a. Support
• b. Support
• 3. Fact
• a. Support
• b. Support

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Outline 5

• III. Conclusion
• Concluding statement
• Restatement of thesis
• See page 33 in Writers handbook