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Mastering Literary Analysis: Unveiling the Secrets of Writing

Learn the essentials of writing a literary analysis, from dissecting plot and characterization to crafting strong thesis statements and supporting arguments with textual evidence.

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Mastering Literary Analysis: Unveiling the Secrets of Writing

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  1. Writing a Literary Analysis “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.” - Ernest Hemmingway

  2. What is a Literary Analysis It’s literary. It’s an analysis It’s— An argument!

  3. Important Literary Concepts The Basics: • Plot • Setting • Narration/point of view • Characterization • Symbol • Metaphor • Genre • Other Key Concepts: • Historical context • Social, political, economic contexts • *Applying the critical lenses; either using Marxist or feminist theory

  4. How is it “Literary”? Usually, a literary analysis will involve a discussion of a text as writing, thus the term literary, which mean “having to do with letters.” This will involve the use of certain concepts that are very specifically associated with literature. MetaphorSetting Connotation

  5. What is an Analysis An analysis of a literary work may discuss: • How the various components of an individual work relate to each other • How two separate literary works deal with similar concepts or forms • How concepts and forms in literary works relate to larger aesthetic, political, social, economic, or religious contexts. (*What you will be focusing on*)

  6. How is Literary Analysis An Argument Writing an Argument: • When writing a literary analysis, you will focus on specific attribute(s) of the text(s). • When discussing these attributes, you will want to make sure that you are making a specific, arguable point (THESIS) about these attributes. • You will defend this point with reasons and evidence drawn from the text.

  7. Thesis Statements Which is the best Thesis Statement? • Harry Potter is about the problem of evil. • Harry Potter is boring and pointless. • Harry Potter is about a teenage boy who turns out to be a wizard. • While the character of Harry is certainly not Christ himself, he is the books’ “Christ figure”, willingly enduring a sacrificial death in order to save others from evil.

  8. How to Support a Thesis Statement Evidence and Support: • Include example from the text: • Direct quotations • Summaries of scenes • Paraphrases • Discuss the text’s historical and social context **Always remember to read carefully and highlight useful passages and quotes**

  9. Body Paragraph Each paragraph in the body includes: • A topic sentence • Textual evidence (quotes from your reading) • A concluding sentence (that should flow into your next topic sentence or concluding paragraph)

  10. Topic Sentence • The first sentence of a body or support paragraph. • It identifies on aspect of the major thesis and states a primary reason why the major thesis is true. • Example: Harry Potter’s relation with Voldemort symbolizes wrath and attention, which is similar to Jesus Christ’s relation with Satan.

  11. Textual Evidence • A specific example from the work used to provide evidence for your topic sentence. • Textual evidence can be acombination of paraphrase and direct quotation from the work. • Example: When facing his unavoidable fate, Harry realizes what he must do and says, “I must die. It must end.” (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows).

  12. Conclusion The last paragraph in your essay. This paragraph should begin by echoing your major thesis without repeating the words exactly. Then, the conclusion should broaden from the thesis statement to answer the “so what?” question your reader may have after reading your essay. The conclusion should do one or more of the following: • How your essay topic relates to the text as a whole • Give personal statement about the topic • Make predictions • Connect back to your creative opening • Give your opinion of the text’s value or significance

  13. Recap: Literary Analysis • When writing a literary analysis: • Be familiar with literary terms. • Analyze specific items. • Make an argument. • Consult instructors and peers for help when needed Literary Analysis based off Owl Purdue Online Wiring Lab Presentation: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/697/1

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