Short Story Literary Analysis

1. Short Story Literary Analysis This is an essay which will analyze the author’s development of theme in a short story.

2. Introduction • The introduction must introduce the author, the title of the story, provide a brief plot summary, state the theme of the story, and explain which literary devices the author uses to develop the theme. Do not forget that the entire essay must be written in present tense!!!!

3. Examples of literary devices: • How does the author use the following literary devices to develop the theme of the story? • Setting • Characterization (character’s actions, inner thoughts and motivation. Is the character dynamic?) • Foreshadowing • Irony • Point of view (who is telling the story?) • Symbolism • Plot (conflict, climax, resolution)

4. Body Paragraphs • Each body paragraph must focus on one literary device and how the author uses the device to develop the theme. For example, The conflict in “The Most Dangerous Game” reveals the theme that we can not understand another’s perspective until we have experienced his perspective.

5. Quotes • Each body paragraph must include at least one quote and must follow proper format for integrating quotes.

6. Conclusion • The conclusion must restate the thesis and summarize the impact of the theme on the reader.

7. Details • This is at least a five paragraph essay. • Do not use personal pronouns or contractions. • The entire paper must be written in present tense. • You must use a minimum of three quotes.

9. Writing a Literary Analysis

10. What is it? A literary analysis is a type of paper that has the ultimate goal of bringing some new or greater understanding of the book, story, or poem. In addition, it is an argument because you are proposing something original about the text which may not have been thought of before, or you are adding more to an existing thesis surrounding the book.

11. What does it look like? A good literary analysis has the following components: *It has a solid and unique thesis statement that clearly is arguable. Your goal is to prove this thesis statement! *It has a solid introduction, body, and conclusion. It uses effective transitions and the writer analyzes sufficient textual support from the book. *There is at least one bit of meaningful textual support in each body paragraph. *It contains a well-formatted works cited page.

12. Other helpful tips! 1. Write in the present tense 2. Normally, keep yourself out of your analysis; in other words, use the third person (no I or you). Some instructors may require or allow the first or second person in an informal analysis if the usage is consistent, however, so check with your instructor. 3. Avoid summarizing the plot (i.e., retelling the story literally). Instead analyze (form a thesis about and explain) the story in literary terms. 6. Do not confuse characters' (in fiction or drama) or speakers' (in poetry) viewpoints with authors' viewpoints. 7. Support your points with many quotations and paraphrases, but write the majority of your paper in your own words with your own ideas. 9. Cite prose, poetry, drama, critics, and any other sources used according to specialized MLA standards. (See the current edition of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers or your Writers Inc. books!.)

13. The following rules about parenthetical documentation can be found in your Writers Inc books on page 260-263, but here are some highlights! *Parenthetical references look like this: “Sophomores are in need of more discipline”(Cohrs 44). Note: *There is nothing in the parenthesis other than the last name of the author and the page number. There is no punctuation of any kind, the first name is not mentioned, etc. *The period comes after the parenthesis. You do not need to keep the punctuation within the quote unless it is a ? Or !. *You should use parenthetical documentation for any type of citation; either direct (word for word) or indirect (paraphrased).

14. Some other issues . . . *If you end a quote before you end your sentence put the parenthesis at the end of the sentence. EX: “Studies show that Sophomores, while cute, can have a really nasty bite” that may infect easily (Santerre 43). So, why do we do this anyway? *To give appropriate credit to a source of information. *To use as a reference for the Works Cited Page that you will learn how to develop appropriately. *To learn how to incorporate citation information naturally within the text rather than disrupting your paper.

15. Literary Criticism • Study, analysis, interpretation and history of literature. • Most often found in essay form. • In-depth book reviews another form of criticism. • Examines an individual work of literature or an author’s body of work

16. Why Use Literary Criticism? • Act of interpreting literature. • Authors present works that have multiple meanings. • Readers are expected to consider the author’s work thoughtfully – to add interpretations of their own. • Writers and critics create a dialog about the literature -- build on each others’ understanding of the work.

17. Why Use Literary Criticism? • Noted authors often have a body of criticism attached to their work. • Critics evaluate and debate ideas of fellow critics. • Good criticism helps develop a better understanding of the work. • Can develop a point of view about a work. • May not always agree with the critic’s opinion.

18. Locating Criticism • Books • Journals, Magazines, and Newspapers • Databases • Websites

19. Journals, Magazines, and Newspapers • The following can be accessed through databases in the library or at home with a password. EBSCO ProQuest New York Times (accessed through ProQuest)

20. Databases • GALE: Contemporary Authors & Contemporary Literary Criticism -- Biography and literary criticism on more than 120,000 U.S. and international authors. (Accessed with public library card through home access on any public library site.) Grinnell Public Library • GALE: Twayne's Authors Series --Biography and literary criticism on more than 600 world authors. (Accessed through RCK library databases in Infotrac.)

21. Opinions supported by evidence, relating to: • Characterization • Voice • Style • Theme • Setting • Technical qualities of the writing (artistry, style, use of language) • Interpretation • Complex ideas and problems • Relationship of work to the time, social, historical or political trends

23. Getting the most points on your Literary Analysis Paper

24. Read the Directions Carefully • You must chose two works by different authors that have significant similarities as well as differences. • Only one for Othello or The Great Gatsby • 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.

25. Analysis • Choose how you are going to analyze the two works you have chosen • #1 - choose a specific literary concept • #2 – then choose three of the following points: character, audience, theme, symbolism, and overall message (what is the work saying compared to the world, self, other text?).

26. 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

27. 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.

28. 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.

29. 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

30. Using quotes in an Essay Using a quote requires 3 sentences 1. Your Idea 2. Quote 3. Explanation how quote supports your idea

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

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

33. Creating Your Works Cited Page

34. What is a Works Cited page? • An alphabetized list of all the sources used in your paper. • You need a Works Cited page or you are PLAGERIZING!!!

35. 1. Determine the type of source. • Your literature book is an anthology. An anthology is a collection of artistic works (such as a group of short stories, or a group of songs).

36. Identify the 6 pieces of information needed. 1. Author of the selection 2. Title of the selection 3. Title of the anthology 4. Editor of the anthology Location: Publisher, year. 5. Publication information 6. Page numbers of selection

37. Correctly Integrating Quotations

38. I shall not see on earth a place more dear” Author: Page: Line #: Every quotation should have a reference that indicates where you got it. “

39. Anytime you quote something, you need to give the author’s name and the page number the quotation can be found on. Example- Potok 78 NO PAGE

40. If you are quoting poetry, use the line number instead of the page number. Example- Homer lines 68-70 Type line or lines so readers know you are not referring to the page number

41. The author’s last name and page number go after the quotation inside of parentheses. This is called the QUO-PAR-PUNC rule. “I shall not see on earth a place more dear” (Homer line 137). QUO= quotation PAR= parentheses PUNC= punctuation (See page 128-135 of A Pocket Style Manual)

42. You wouldn’t wear clothes that only cover up the front-side or the back-side of your body, so don’t leave your quotation half naked either.

43. Odysseus speaks to Alcinous’ court about his homeland in Ithaca, recalling, “I shall not see on earth a place more dear” (Homer line 137). Thus, he demonstrates the Greek value of loyalty to one’s homeland.

44. Clothe the Front There are two ways to begin a sentence that includes a quotation. • Use a signal phrase. • Integrate the author’s words into your own writing.

45. Signal Phrases A signal phrase indicates that you are about to use language that is not your own.

46. Signal Phrases If you do not show that these are not your own words it is PLAGERISM!

47. Signal Phrases Example: • Polyphemus says of Odysseus, (See page 120 of A Pocket Style Manual for a list of verbs to use in signal phrases)

48. Example 1 Revise: • Odysseus shows that he is an epic hero in the Cyclops episode, “I would not heed them in my glorying spirit,/ but let my anger flare…” (Homer lines 500-501).

49. WARNING Just adding a quotation to the end of a related sentence does not mean that you have used a signal phrase.

50. Example 1 Fixed: • Odysseus reveals that he desires the credit for his deeds, saying, “I would not heed them in my glorying spirit,/ but let my anger flare…” (Homer lines 500-501).