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Writing a Literary Analysis

Understand literary analysis, critical concepts, thesis writing, using secondary sources, crafting arguments, and writing techniques. Get tips to enhance your academic analysis skills.

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Writing a Literary Analysis

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  1. Writing a Literary Analysis

  2. What is Literary Analysis? • It’s literary • It’s an analysis • It’s-- • An Argument! • It may also involve research on and analysis of secondary sources

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

  4. The Basics Plot Setting Narration/point of view Characterization Symbol Metaphor Genre Irony/ambiguity Important Literary Concepts • Other key concepts • Historical context • Social, political, economic contexts • Ideology • Multiple voices • Various critical orientations • Literary theory

  5. How Can I Learn More? • There are various handbooks of literary terms available in most libraries…and also on the Advanced English link on Mrs. Heller’s homepage. • There are numerous introductions to literary criticism and theory that are widely available…and also on the Advanced English link on Mrs. Heller’s homepage. • Example: A Handbook to Literature. Harmon/Holman … or in Ch 45, 46, and other back pages of your textbook

  6. 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

  7. How is Literary Analysis 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 …and cited. (Much like a lawyer!)

  8. 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.

  9. How Do I Support a Thesis Statement? • Examples from the text: • Direct quotations • Summaries of scenes • Paraphrase • Other critics’ opinions • Historical and social context • Always remember to read carefully, take notes, and highlight useful passages and quotes

  10. What is a Secondary Source? • A book or article that discusses the text you are discussing • 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 (Note: Not every paper will require secondary sources. Sometimes the instructor wants you to be the sole critic.)

  11. How Do I Find Secondary Sources? • MLA International Bibliography • Dictionary of Literary Biography • Discipline-specific sources • Example: America: History and Life for American literature • Other search engines…ask the librarian • A bibliography that is part of your text • Ask your instructor

  12. Integrating Secondary Sources • When you use secondary sources, be sure to show how they relate to your thesis • Don’t overuse any one secondary source, or for that matter, secondary sources in general • Remember that this is your paper, your argument—the secondary sources are just helping you out • Never, never, never plagiarize. See the OWL handout on plagiarism for more information.

  13. Overview of Literary Analysis • When writing a literary analysis: • Be familiar with the piece you are analyzing • Read … reread…and study the piece carefully • Ask “why” often…question your own ideas • Be familiar with literary terms • Analyze specific items • Make an a argument • Make appropriate use of secondary sources • Consult instructors and tutors for help when needed … discuss your opinion with peers

  14. How do I write the paper? • Be sure to understand the assignment: • Reread the paper rubric. • Know what is expected. • Be organized – plan: • Create a basic outline. An outline…even a skeleton outline…will help you sort out your points, the order in which you need to present them, and the details you will use as support. • Be original, memorable, and creative: • Within the rubric, display your writing skills.

  15. How should I prepare my first draft for submission? • Use the spell check and your brain: • Check spellings…especially those from the story or ones the computer doesn’t catch. • Look for punctuation problems. • Read your paper aloud to analyze fluency. • Skim the paper for excessive “there are” phrases. • Skim the paper for unintentional repetition. • Analyze your use of words…be concise, not wordy. • Look at old papers and don’t make the same mistakes over and over…know yourself.

  16. What is a helpful peer review? • Read for an overall impression: • Does the writer create a persuasive argument? • Are the mistakes in conventions distracting? • Read for organizational confusion • Point out the confusion • Suggest reorganizational techniques • Read to comment on focus: • Is there an attention-getting hook in the intro? • Is there an arguable thesis statement in the intro? • Does the writer embark on tangents or digress?

  17. What is a helpful peer review? • Correct conventional errors: • Point out mistakes in English conventions • Suggest solutions • Question word choices: • Point out mistakes or poor choices in word use • Suggest solutions • Comment on tone and academic analysis: • Is the tone appropriately serious and formal? • Are appropriate textual reference s– ones that really work – included as supporting details? • Does the paper sound juvenile or did the writer try to challenge himself? (effort) • Suggest solutions

  18. What is a helpful peer review? • Correct MLA formatting errors: • Last name and page in .5 inch header • Times New Roman size 12 font • One-inch margins all around • All double-spaced lines • Proper information in header • Interesting title, centered • Parenthetical citations following quoted lines of text. • Works Cited or inclusion of text in paper

  19. How do I improve my final paper? • Read both peer reviews: • Ask questions of the peer reviewer • Know that not all peer review comments may be good comments…but they may alert you to problems. • Read your paper again with a critical eye: • Now that you haven’t read your paper in a bit, you may notice other improvements you could make. • Be critical of your own writing • Good enough is never “good enough” until you run out of time and the final submission is due.

  20. Where Can I Go for More Help? • The Purdue University Writing Lab • 226 Heavilon Hall • 494-3723 • And visit http://owl.english.purdue.edu • Or email owl@owl.english.purdue.edu

  21. The End

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