Elements of a Literary Analysis Paper

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Elements of a Literary Analysis Paper

• Suzann Moffitt Ledford

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The Introduction

• Your intro should
• Orient your reader to your topic
• Contain your thesis statement
• Mention the author and the work
• Not begin specific analysis (save that for
  supporting body paragraphs)

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The IntroductionThesis

• Thesis a declarative sentence that sums up what
  your paper is going to prove
• Not a fact or a subjectively worded opinion
• Can contain an essay map
• Is clear and concise and can be supported with
  evidence from text
• Does not use the phrases In this paper, I will.
  . . or, This paper will. . .

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The Introduction Thesis

• Which is the best thesis statement?
• Moby-Dick is about the problem of evil.
• Moby-Dick is boring and pointless.
• Moby-Dick is about a big, white whale.
• The use of whiteness in Moby-Dick illustrates
  the uncertainty about the meaning of life that
  Ishmael expresses throughout the novel.

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Supporting Body Paragraphs

• 1Topic Sentence-main point of your paragraph,
  relates back to thesis, can help with transition
• 2Supporting Details-quotes (but avoid naked
  quotes), examples from text, research, etc.
• 3Concluding Statement(s)-can serve at least one
  of three purposes
• Discuss/elaborate on 2
• Answer the question, How does this relate to my
  thesis? or Why is this point important?
• Can help with transition if needed

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Conclusion

• Wraps up paper, giving a sense of finality
• Does NOT bring in new supporting information
• Reemphasizes main points and thesis

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General Tips

• Avoid using the verb get
• Develop paragraphs to at least three sentences
  long and avoid paragraphs over ¾ page long
• Avoid sentences over four lines long
• Avoid slang and informal word choice--ex
  Business is doing OK and is slowly picking
  up--should be Business is slowly increasing.

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General Tips

• Avoid using paper to summarize text, but give
  context for supporting examples
• Avoid first and second person
• Avoid stating opinion as factincorporate
  loophole wordsgenerally, possibly, indicates,
  suggests
• Use present tense to discuss the events that take
  place in the story

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Literary Analysis Overview

• Develop clear thesis
• Make sure body paragraphs support thesis
• Check organization, both paragraph and paper
• Proofread