Literary Analysis

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Literary Analysis

• º Examine the parts that make up the whole
• The parts in literature are
• Setting
• Plot
• Characters
• Theme
• Point of View
• Genre
• Writers tools are WORDS used to
  create symbols, irony,
  metaphors, etc.

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Literary Analysis

º You analyze a text in order to make meaning
of/from it. º You might also make
meaning of the text by considering
Historical context Social, political,
economic contexts Conflicting
interpretations Literary theories
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Literary Analysis Research Paper

• An analysis of a literary work may discuss
• How the various components of literary works
  relate to each other
• How concepts and forms in literary works relate
  to larger literary, aesthetic, political, social,
  economic, or religious contexts
• How two separate literary works deal with similar
  concepts or forms

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How to BeginForming an Argument

• In conducting a literary analysis, you focus on
  specific attribute(s) of the text(s).
• What have noticed? What stands out to you?
• When writing about these attributes, you want to
  make sure that you are making a specific,
  arguable point (thesis) about these attributes.
• What conclusion have you drawn?
• As your paper develops you will prove/support
  this point with text evidence (and secondary
  sources).

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Literary Analysis Thesis

• In your opening paragraph you will state
• your thesis (your own conclusions about the
  work). Your thesis should be specific about the
  parameters and basis of your argument (arguable
  point). The thesis statement is usually at the
  end of the opening, after you have established
  some general information about the work to draw
  the reader in and give context to your thesis.

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Literary Analysis Thesis

• Which is a good thesis statement?
• Wuthering Heights is a long, but good read.
• Wuthering Heights is a novel full of characters
  with similar names.
• Bronte uses natures elemental forces of wind,
  fire, and water to provide an analogy for
  understanding the characters in Wuthering Heights
  .

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Literary Analysis Developing your paper

• The organization of your paper is determined by
  the order in which you present your ideas that
  are the proof/support of your thesis.
• Generally speaking, each body paragraph will
  begin with your
• Topic Sentence
• Followed by direct quotations, paraphrases, scene
  summaries from, in this case, the novel (primary
  source)
• You interpretation of it as it relates to your
  thesis
• Secondary source support

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When and How to Quote

• Quote when language is especially vivid and
  expressive
• When language of a source is the topic of your
  discussion ( analysis, interpretation)
• When words of an important authority lend weight
  to an argument
• Introduce your quotes
• Weave the quotes

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What is a secondary source?

• A book or article that discusses a theory related
  to the argument you are making
• A book or article that discusses the social and
  historical context of the text you are discussing
• A book or article that discusses the text you are
  discussing (caution see handout)

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How do I find secondary sources?

• Library Reference Books
• Dictionary of Literary Biography
• 19th century British Literature
• Women British Writers
• Other source-specific reference books

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How do I find secondary sources?

• Library online
• GALE Virtual Library online journal articles
• Card Catalog
• Books of literary criticism
• Books about subjects in the literary work
• Books about social and/or historical context of
  the literary work
• AVOID BLOGS AND FANSITES!
• Mrs. Austin must approve your secondary sources
  before
• you use them in your paper.

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Integrating secondary sources

• REMEMBER, this is your paper, your argumentthe
  secondary sources are just helping you out
• When you use secondary sources, be sure to show
  how they relate to your thesis
• Dont overuse any one secondary source, or for
  that matter, secondary sources in general
• DO NOT plagiarize!

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Overview of Literary Analysis

• When writing a literary analysis
• Be familiar with and use literary terms
• Analyze specific items
• Make and develop your argument
• Make appropriate use of secondary sources
• Cite your sources, using MLA guidelines
• Include a Works Cited page