Independent Reading Program Literary Analysis Essay

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Independent Reading ProgramLiterary Analysis
Essay

• An overview of possibilities and requirements

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Possible essay types

• Thematic Analysis
• Character Analysis
• Literary Devices Analysis

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Thematic Analysis

• In a thematic essay, the student develops and
  supports a thesis about the theme, or central
  idea or message, in the novel.
• Questions to guide your thinking
• What important idea or theme does this literary
  work convey?
• What do characters do that helps to illustrate
  this idea?
• What do characters say that helps to illustrate
  this idea?
• What events take place in the work that help to
  illustrate this idea?
• Are there any recurrent images or clusters of
  images?  Do these images support the idea or
  theme that you find in the work?  (If so, they
  may be symbols.)
• What does the narrator say that helps to
  illustrate this idea?

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Character Analysis

• In a character analysis essay, the student
  develops and supports a thesis that explains a
  characters traits and why they are significant
  to the story.
• Some questions to guide your thinking
• Give your initial reaction to the character by
  completing the following sentence Name of
  Character in Name of Work is . . .
• What does the character do that shows he/she fits
  the description you have given?
• What does the character say that shows he/she
  fits the description you have given?
• How do other characters react to your character? 
  How do their reactions show he/she fits the
  description you have given?
• Are there other characters in the story whose
  situations are similar to the one you are
  describing?  Who are they, and how are they
  similar?  How does this similarity show he/she
  fits the description you have given?
• What does the narrator say about your character
  that shows he/she fits the description you have
  given?
• Is there any evidence that suggests the character
  does not fit the description you have given? 
  What is it?  How do you explain this evidence?
• Does the character change over time?  How?

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Literary Techniques Analysis

• In a literary techniques essay, the student
  develops and supports a thesis about the authors
  use of literary techniques in the novel.
• Questions to guide your thinking
• Using the list provided, which techniques can you
  identify as being overtly used in the novel?
• Of those used, which are most prominent?
• Which are most effectively used?
• How does the use of the technique help or hurt
  the novel?

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Assignment

• Write an essay in which you develop and support a
  thesis that analyzes the theme, a literary
  device, or a character from one of your
  Independent Reading books.
• The essay is due Friday, March 25, 2005.

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Format

• Introduction should get the readers attention,
  present a clear thesis, and provide a roadmap of
  support.
• Each body paragraph should focus on a major
  element of support for your thesis. Provide
  examples from the book as well as clear
  explanation why that example is appropriate.
• Conclusion should be a logical extension of the
  thesis.

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On the 25th, turn in

• Your revised (final) draft of the essay
• An original (rough) draft of the essay
• At least two peer responses to your original
  draft (see accompanying Word/PDF document)