Literary Analysis

Literary Analysis The Hunger Games

Parts of the Introduction • Attention grabber • Background of novel • Thesis • YOU MUST ALWAYS include the author and title of the work in the first paragraph when talking about literature.

Attention Grabber • Quote: “The first dandelion of the year…and I knew how we were going to survive,” (32) thinks Katniss, a character in Suzanne Collins’The Hunger Games. • Definition: Hope is “to want something to happen or be true” (merriam-webster.com). • Question: Can hope really save a person from death? • Historical background: Dystopias are prevalent in literature, and The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins represents has all of the aspects of a dystopia. • Write an attention grabber for your paper.

Background • You have a lot of free reign here. Transition from your attention getter to the thesis. Anything related to your thesis applies. • This is usually 2-3 sentences. Sometimes more. • “The first dandelion of the year…and I knew how we were going to survive,” (32) thinks Katniss, the protagonist in Suzanne Collins’The Hunger Games. The hope that this dandelion brings Katniss allows her to save her family from death. As the novel progresses, we see Katniss’ dedication to her family. • Write some background sentences for your paper.

Thesis • This tells the reader what your essay is going to be about. • Parts • What you are going to prove (Topic) • How you are going to prove it (Points)

Topic • The topic section addresses the initial question posed in the essay. • For example, if the question is “what themes can be found in The Hunger Games?”, your topic is “themes in The Hunger Games.

Points • The points are what you are using to prove your essay; these can range from 2-4 and should be listed in a parallel manner (same grammatical structure). • In the previously asked question, your points would be the actual themes.

Sample thesis • Two themes that can be found in The Hunger Games include hope saves people and family sacrifices for each other. • Write a thesis for your paper.

Sample Introduction • “The first dandelion of the year…and I knew how we were going to survive,” (32) thinks Katniss, the protagonist in Suzanne Collins’The Hunger Games. The hope that this dandelion brings Katniss allows her to save her family from death. As the novel progresses, we see Katniss’ dedication to her family. Two themes that can be found in The Hunger Games include hope saves people and family sacrifices for each other. • Put your three parts together to write an introduction.

IMPORTANT!!!! • I should never see any of these words in your essay, especially not in your thesis: • In this essay, you will read… • I will prove… • I think… • The next paragraphs… • I believe… • You (any for, ever)

Literary Present • First, when writing about literature, you should always use the literary present. This just means to write in present tense, never past tense.

Body Paragraphs • Essentially, these are consist of a claim, cite and clarify. • You start by stating which the theme is evident in the book. • Then claim a scene that proves that theme. • Your clarify is the most important part. This should be at least two to three sentences that explain why your scene/citation is related to the theme. • You may claim, cite, clarify more than once per theme if you feel that is necessary.

Using Quotes in an Essay • Step 1 • Introduce your quote. Quotes can never stand alone! • You can incorporate the words into your essay • Poe writes “nodding, nearly napping.” • Write a sentence as normal, add a colon, and then use the quote • Poe uses alliteration often: “nodded, nearly napping.” • Choose a quote from your theme list. Introduce it and incorporate it into a sentence.

Using Quotes in an Essay • Step 2 • Cite your quote • If using just one work (like The Hunger Games) The page number and/or line number will work. If using more than one work, usually the author’s last name and page/line number will be used. • Notice the order of a citation “_______” ( ). • Example if only one work is used: One line states “nodded, nearly napping” (1). • Example if two separate works are used: One line states “nodded, nearly napping” (Poe 1). • Cite your quote

Using Quotes in an Essay • Step 3 • Explain your quote (clarify) • While it is great you have found a quote that relates to what you are proving, it has no significance unless you can actually state why it is important or how it relates to what you are trying to prove. • Example: One line states “nodded, nearly napping” (1). The reader understands that the narrator was asleep and is awakened by the sound he hears outside the window. • Explain the quote you have chosen. Then link that quote to the theme you have chosen.

Using Quotes in an Essay • Things to remember • You should never use two quotes in a row. Each quote must be explained. • Be sure to clearly relate what is seen in the quote to what you are trying to prove! • Avoid using the same words from the original quote as you explain; the goal is NOT to put the quote in your own words. It is to answer the question, “why is your quote important?” • Double check to make sure the claim, cite, clarify you have generated does not have any of these pitfalls.

Sample body paragraph • Hope does save people, as proven by The Hunger Games. In chapter 18 when Claudius Templesmith announces the rule change, Katniss now has hope that she and Peeta can make it home: “So, who is there left to be afraid of?” (248). Before the games, Katniss needs to win, but she is not sure she can. As the rule change is announced, she goes through the remaining tributes in her mind and realizes that she can really win with Peeta, and they can both go home. This renewed hope jolts her out of her depression and anger after Rue’s death, and forces her to make a plan and execute it. That hope is the spark that makes her realize that they can be as lethal as any of the other tributes. They can survive.

Transitions • Each body paragraph after the first one should start with a transition word or sentence. • Transitions link one paragraph to the next. • Example, if my first body paragraph is about hope, and my second body paragraph is about sacrifice for family, I might use the following sentence: • Although hope makes Katniss and her family survive, she is willing to give up all hope of survival so that her family will not suffer. • OR • Next, The Hunger Games shows that sacrifice for family is important.

Your Turn • Now work your claim, cite, clarify into an entire paragraph • Introduce the theme • Use your claim, cite, clarify • Drive home how it backs up your theme a little more if necessary • Turn a second claim, cite, clarify into a paragraph. Repeat the same steps we just discussed. Use a transition sentence for this second paragraph.

Conclusion • This is the easiest paragraph to write. • 1st sentence: flipped thesis • 2nd sentence: a reference back to your first point • 3rd sentence: a reference back to your second point • 4th sentence: a link back to your attention getter • The middle sentences can be combined, but focus on quality!!!

Sample Conclusion • Hope and sacrifice for family resonate throughout The Hunger Games. Katniss is ready to give up multiple times throughout the novel, and continues to receive hope from nature, people and circumstances that keep her going. She is also willing to give everything up so that her family can survive. That first dandelion of the year gives Katniss hope and allows her to sacrifice her childhood so that her family can eat. That weed is her ticket to life. • Write your own conclusion

Things to remember • No “YOU” at all in an essay • No “I” unless the example is from your life (not in a literary analysis) • Use present tense verbs • Make sure transitional phrases are different. For example, don’t start the paragraphs with First, Second, Last, etc. • Don’t repeat yourself • Grammar is important! Please check this.

Literary Analysis