The document provides guidance on writing a literary analysis essay. It discusses reading the literature and prompt closely, developing an effective thesis statement that directly responds to the prompt, and using the thesis to form topic sentences for each body paragraph. Body paragraphs should include textual evidence from the literature to support the topic sentence, along with commentary analyzing how the evidence relates to the thesis. The conclusion restates the thesis and main points, bringing the discussion to a broader level. Overall, the document outlines a clear structure for composing a successful literary analysis essay.

1. Writing a LiteraryWriting a Literary
Analysis EssayAnalysis Essay
Mrs. RabyyMrs. Rabyy

2. First ThoughtsFirst Thoughts
 Read and analyze the literatureRead and analyze the literature
 Read and analyze the promptRead and analyze the prompt
 Who will read this essay?Who will read this essay?
 What skills do they want me to show?What skills do they want me to show?
 What ideas to they want me to discuss?What ideas to they want me to discuss?
 How does the prompt suggest that IHow does the prompt suggest that I
organize my ideas?organize my ideas?

3. This is a straight-
forward structure
that you can apply
to any type of
essay.

4. PrewritingPrewriting
 Break down the promptBreak down the prompt
 Connect evidence to theConnect evidence to the
prompt’s ideasprompt’s ideas

5. Develop a Thesis StatementDevelop a Thesis Statement
 Thesis statements respond directlyThesis statements respond directly
and completely to the promptand completely to the prompt
 Thesis statements analyze orThesis statements analyze or
illuminate the textilluminate the text
 They do NOT:They do NOT:
ask questionsask questions
state mere observationsstate mere observations

6. Observation (Ineffective Thesis):Observation (Ineffective Thesis):
Example:Example:
Toni Morrison’s novel,Toni Morrison’s novel, BelovedBeloved,,
uses a non-linear structure withuses a non-linear structure with
frequent flashbacks.frequent flashbacks.
Just a basic, factual observationJust a basic, factual observation
Easily observed by any readerEasily observed by any reader
Does not analyze or illuminateDoes not analyze or illuminate

7. Effective Thesis Statements:Effective Thesis Statements:
 Use action verbs:Use action verbs:
 Toni MorrisonToni Morrison mirrorsmirrors thethe
fragmentation of her characters’fragmentation of her characters’
lives in the structure of the novellives in the structure of the novel
itself.itself.
 Not:Not: BelovedBeloved, written by Toni, written by Toni
Morrison,Morrison, hashas a fragmented formata fragmented format
that mirrors her characters.that mirrors her characters.

8.  Use sub-topics as examples forUse sub-topics as examples for
support:support:
 flashbackflashback
 stream of consciousnessstream of consciousness
 shifts in point of viewshifts in point of view
 These can later become topicsThese can later become topics
of body paragraphs, and formof body paragraphs, and form
topic sentences of their own.topic sentences of their own.
Effective Thesis Statements:Effective Thesis Statements:

9. Response to Prompt:Response to Prompt:
 Toni MorrisonToni Morrison mirrors themirrors the
fragmentation of her characters’fragmentation of her characters’
lives through her novel’s non-lives through her novel’s non-
linear structurelinear structure, specifically, specifically
through her use of flashback,through her use of flashback,
stream of consciousness, andstream of consciousness, and
shifts in point of view.shifts in point of view.

10. Key Points for SupportKey Points for Support
 Toni Morrison mirrors theToni Morrison mirrors the
fragmentation of her characters’fragmentation of her characters’
lives through her novel’s non-lives through her novel’s non-
linear structure, specificallylinear structure, specifically
through her use ofthrough her use of flashback,flashback,
stream of consciousness, andstream of consciousness, and
shifts in point of viewshifts in point of view..

11. Writing an introduction.Writing an introduction.
 Your introduction should goYour introduction should go
from broad to specific:from broad to specific:
1.1. Hook your reader’s attention about the topic of yourHook your reader’s attention about the topic of your
essay.essay.
2.2. Connect this topic to the literature you’re discussingConnect this topic to the literature you’re discussing
3.3. Define terms and give essential background infoDefine terms and give essential background info
4.4. State your thesisState your thesis

12. Avoid “fluff.” No one is fooled.Avoid “fluff.” No one is fooled.
 Literature often portraysLiterature often portrays
characters who have manycharacters who have many
conflicts.conflicts.
 Toni Morrison is a good author.Toni Morrison is a good author.
 She writes about former slavesShe writes about former slaves
and women of color.and women of color.
 Slavery was shameful.Slavery was shameful.
 Beloved is a good book that dealsBeloved is a good book that deals
with many issues relevant towith many issues relevant to
literature.literature.

13. Boring.Boring.
Silly!Silly!

14. Hook: Use your key analyticalHook: Use your key analytical
idea of the promptidea of the prompt
 From the thesis:From the thesis: non-linearnon-linear
storyline mirrors characters’storyline mirrors characters’
fractured livesfractured lives
 So…Form reflects content.So…Form reflects content.
 Hook:Hook: Experimental writers oftenExperimental writers often
challenge the traditional plot formchallenge the traditional plot form
by abandoning a chronologicalby abandoning a chronological
plot line in favor of one less linearplot line in favor of one less linear
and more fragmented.and more fragmented.

15. Toni Morrison’sToni Morrison’s BelovedBeloved is toldis told
in shifting voices of seeminglyin shifting voices of seemingly
unrelated narratives, rather thanunrelated narratives, rather than
chronologically, which serves tochronologically, which serves to
emphasize the characters’emphasize the characters’
disjointed personalities anddisjointed personalities and
experiences.experiences.
Background Info: title, author,Background Info: title, author,
key evidencekey evidence

16. Then, just add the thesisThen, just add the thesis
statement.statement.

17. Experimental writers often challengeExperimental writers often challenge
the traditional plot form by abandoning athe traditional plot form by abandoning a
chronological plot line in favor of one lesschronological plot line in favor of one less
linear and more fragmented. Toni Morrison’slinear and more fragmented. Toni Morrison’s
BelovedBeloved is told in shifting voices of seeminglyis told in shifting voices of seemingly
unrelated narratives, rather thanunrelated narratives, rather than
chronologically, which serves to emphasizechronologically, which serves to emphasize
the characters’ disjointed personalities andthe characters’ disjointed personalities and
experiences.experiences. Morrison mirrors theMorrison mirrors the
fragmentation of her characters’ lives throughfragmentation of her characters’ lives through
her novel’s non-linear structure, specificallyher novel’s non-linear structure, specifically
through her use of flashback, stream ofthrough her use of flashback, stream of
consciousness, and shifts in point of view.consciousness, and shifts in point of view.
Complete Intro ParagraphComplete Intro Paragraph

18. An effectively-written and well-An effectively-written and well-
organized introductoryorganized introductory
paragraph should act as aparagraph should act as a
guide and outline for the restguide and outline for the rest
of the paper. It prepares yourof the paper. It prepares your
reader to be convinced andreader to be convinced and
impressed by your argument.impressed by your argument.

19. Thesis StatementThesis Statement 
Topic SentencesTopic Sentences
 Split your thesis statement intoSplit your thesis statement into
sub-topicssub-topics
 These will define the topics ofThese will define the topics of
your body paragraphsyour body paragraphs
 Each paragraph should discussEach paragraph should discuss
only and entirely the content ofonly and entirely the content of
the topic sentencethe topic sentence

20. Thesis Statement:Thesis Statement: Morrison mirrors the
fragmentation of her characters’ lives through her
novel’s non-linear structure, specifically through
her use of flashback, stream of consciousness,
and shifts in point of view.
Topic Sentences:Topic Sentences:
1.1. Beloved uses flashback to demonstrate that the
past is always a part of the present.
2.2. In addition to flashback, Morrison uses stream
of consciousness to illustrate the fragmented
state of her characters’ minds.
3.3. Morrison also employs a shifting point of view
as a method of not only fragmenting the narrative
but also to illustrate how each character is
connected.
ThesisThesis  TSsTSs

21. Essay Outline:
I. Introduction
II. Body 1
1. Topic Sentence: Beloved uses flashback
to demonstrate that the past is always a
part of the present.
2. Flashback Example w/ commentary
3. Flashback Example w/ commentary
4. Flashback Example w/ commentary
5. Conclusion Sentence (revisit, wrap-up)

22. III. Body 2
1. Topic Sentence: In addition to
flashback, Morrison uses stream of
consciousness to illustrate the
fragmented state of her characters’
minds.
2. Stream of Consciousness Example w/
commentary
3. Stream of Consciousness Example w/
commentary
4. Stream of Consciousness Example w/
commentary
5. Conclusion Sentence (revisit, wrap-up)
* Don’t forget to add transitions between ideas and to
introduce your quotations properly!

23. IV. Body 3
1. Topic Sentence: Morrison also
employs a shifting point of view
as a method of not only
fragmenting the narrative but
also to illustrate how each
character is connected.
2. Point of View Example w/ commentary
3. Point of View Example w/ commentary
4. Point of View Example w/ commentary
5. Conclusion Sentence (revisit, wrap-up)

24. Writing Body Paragraphs:Writing Body Paragraphs:
Choose the Perfect QuotesChoose the Perfect Quotes
• Generally, try to find three directGenerally, try to find three direct
quotations that prove eachquotations that prove each
element of your thesiselement of your thesis
statement.statement.
• 33 examples of flashbackexamples of flashback
• 33 examples of stream ofexamples of stream of
consciousnessconsciousness
• 33 examples of shifts in point ofexamples of shifts in point of
viewview

25. Writing Body Paragraphs:Writing Body Paragraphs:
Commentary for Every QuoteCommentary for Every Quote
 Commentary is analysis, withoutCommentary is analysis, without
it, you’ve just written a summaryit, you’ve just written a summary
or book reportor book report
 First, analyze the implications/First, analyze the implications/
deeper meanings of the quotedeeper meanings of the quote
 Second, connect the analysis toSecond, connect the analysis to
the prompt, thesis statement,the prompt, thesis statement,
and topic sentenceand topic sentence

26. V. Conclusion
It is sometimes helpful to think
of the conclusion as a reversal
of your introduction: specific to
broad
1. Revisit your thesis considering
all you’ve said since

27. Original Thesis:Original Thesis: Morrison mirrors theMorrison mirrors the
fragmentation of her characters’ livesfragmentation of her characters’ lives
through her novel’s non-linear structure,through her novel’s non-linear structure,
specifically through her use of flashback,specifically through her use of flashback,
stream of consciousness, and shifts instream of consciousness, and shifts in
point of view.point of view.
Revisitation: Because of Morrison’s innovative
use of basic literary elements like
flashback, stream of consciousness, and
point of view, she is able to produce a
powerful effect that reflects the sometimes
chaotic and often broken lives of her
characters.

28. Now we work backwards to
something a little more general.
Introduction Background:Introduction Background: Toni Morrison’sToni Morrison’s
BelovedBeloved is told in shifting voices ofis told in shifting voices of
seemingly unrelated narratives, rather thanseemingly unrelated narratives, rather than
chronologically, which serves to emphasizechronologically, which serves to emphasize
the characters’ disjointed personalities andthe characters’ disjointed personalities and
experiences.experiences.
Conclusion Revisitation:Conclusion Revisitation: By constructingBy constructing
the novel in what at first appears to bethe novel in what at first appears to be
unrelated pieces unanchored in chronologyunrelated pieces unanchored in chronology
or point of view, Morrison actually achievesor point of view, Morrison actually achieves
a kind of unity that supports thea kind of unity that supports the
development of the story and herdevelopment of the story and her
characters.characters.

29. We finally add the “clincher:” an idea
the reader can apply elsewhere
In doing so, Morrison creates a
new kind of American novel,
one not tied to a form rooted in
tradition. Similarly, her
characters forge ahead to
create new lives, confidently
rejecting the history of
oppression from which it had
once seemed impossible to
escape.

30. Done! Your essay
is complete!