This document provides guidance on how to write a literary analysis. It explains that a literary analysis is an argument that explains what a work of literature means and how it conveys that meaning. It discusses analyzing essential elements like theme, plot, characters, setting, and point of view. It also covers analyzing the structure, meaning, and rhetorical elements of a story. The document provides tips for developing an analytical thesis, supporting it with evidence from the text, and organizing the paper with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion focused on the thesis.
Learning Object: Analysing the Short Stories of J G BallardMichelle Merritt
A Learning Object created in PPT where students can learn about the different texts (Subliminal Man, Chronopolis, Manhole 69 and Billenium) and how to write an analytical essay based on their understanding.
This is a powerpoint presentation that covers one of the topic of Senior High School: Reading and Writing. For this presentation, it deals with the topic of patterns of idea development. It also discusses a type of pattern of idea development: narration. It also includes some activities and tips in patterns of idea development.
Learning Object: Analysing the Short Stories of J G BallardMichelle Merritt
A Learning Object created in PPT where students can learn about the different texts (Subliminal Man, Chronopolis, Manhole 69 and Billenium) and how to write an analytical essay based on their understanding.
This is a powerpoint presentation that covers one of the topic of Senior High School: Reading and Writing. For this presentation, it deals with the topic of patterns of idea development. It also discusses a type of pattern of idea development: narration. It also includes some activities and tips in patterns of idea development.
Understanding the Short StoryTitle __________________________.docxmarilucorr
Understanding the Short Story
Title :_________________________________________________________________
Plot
1) What does the reader learn during exposition?
2) What is/are the conflict(s)?
3) What complications are introduced?
4) What is the climax of the story?
5) How is the conflict resolved?
Point of view
1) From what point of view is the story narrated? (first person, third person, etc.)
2) How does the narration influence your understanding of the story?
Characters
1) Who is the protagonist?
2) Who is the antagonist?
3) Are the characters round or flat?
4) Are the characters static or dynamic?
Setting
1) What is the setting of the story?
2) Does the setting influence other elements of the story?
Theme
1) What is/are the theme(s) of the story?
2) How do you know?
LITERARY TERMS
"Structure" includes all the elements in a story. The final objective is to see the story as a whole and to become aware of how the parts are put together to produce a unified effect.
ELEMENTS OF PLOT
All fiction is based on conflict and this conflict is presented in a structured format called PLOT.
Exposition
The introductory material which gives the setting, creates the tone, presents the characters, and presents other facts necessary to understanding the story.
Foreshadowing
The use of hints or clues to suggest what will happen later in the story.
Inciting Force
The event or character that triggers the conflict.
Conflict
The essence of fiction. It creates plot. The conflicts we encounter can usually be identified as one of four kinds. (Man versus…Man, Nature, Society, or Self)
Rising Action
A series of events that builds from the conflict. It begins with the inciting force and ends with the climax.
Crisis
The conflict reaches a turning point. At this point the opposing forces in the story meet and the conflict becomes most intense. The crisis occurs before or at the same time as the climax.
Climax
The climax is the result of the crisis. It is the high point of the story for the reader. Frequently, it is the moment of the highest interest and greatest emotion. The point at which the outcome of the conflict can be predicted.
Falling Action
The events after the climax which close the story.
Resolution (Denouement)
Rounds out and concludes the action.
CHARACTERIZATION
MAJOR CHARACTERS
Almost always round or three-dimensional characters. They have good and bad qualities. Their goals, ambitions and values change. A round character changes as a result of what happens to him or her. A character who changes inside as a result of what happens to him is referred to in literature as a DYNAMIC character. A dynamic character grows or progresses to a higher level of understanding in the course of the story.
Protagonist
The main character in the story
Antagonist
The character or force that opposes the protagonist.
Foil
A character who provides a contrast to the protagonist.
MINOR CHARACTERS
Almost always flat or two-dimensional characters. They have only one or two stri ...
Composition Project 1Project 1 Literary AnalysisTask Write a l.docxladonnacamplin
Composition Project 1
Project 1: Literary Analysis
Task: Write a literary analysis of one of the short stories we read in this course. Briefly describe the story,
and what you think are the essential literary elements to understanding the story.
Audience and purpose: Your objective is to use evidence to support your analysis of the short story.
Your audience is your classmates and instructor as well as a larger audience who has not read the short story
before.
Research and evidence: You need only draw from the texts that you have read for this project. However,
in order to illustrate your theme, you may also use outside sources.
Steps toward success:
1) Read your short story in-depth. (This will require multiple readings of the text.)
2) Take notes and annotate the story.
3) Take advantage of the process. Carefully consider all revision comments you receive from your peers
and instructor, and make significant revisions.
4) Avoid simply summarizing the plot of the short story. Remember that this class focuses on your
analytical writing skills, not on retelling the story.
4) Checklist:
Length: 900 to 1200 words
Sources: For this project, you need only refer to the literature on which you are working. Be sure
to cite both the evidence from the text and any outside sources you use.
Include a Works Cited page using MLA style.
Literary Analysis: Using Elements of Literature
Students are asked to write literary analysis essays because this type of assignment encourages you to think about
how and why
a poem, short story, novel, or play was written.
·
To successfully analyze literature, you’ll need to remember that authors make specific choices for particular reasons. Your essay should point out the author’s choices and attempt to explain their significance.
·
Another way to look at a literary analysis is to consider a piece of literature from your own perspective. Rather than thinking about the author’s intentions, you can develop an argument based on any single term (or combination of terms) listed below.
You’ll need to use the original text as evidence to defend and explain your argument to the reader.
Character -
representation of a person, place, or thing performing traditionally human activities or functions in a work of fiction
·
Protagonist
- The character the story revolves around.
·
Antagonist
- A character or force that opposes the protagonist.
·
Minor character
- Often provides support and illuminates the protagonist.
·
Static character
- A character that remains the same.
·
Dynamic character
- A character that changes in some important way.
·
Characterization
- The choices an author makes to reveal a character’s personality, such as appearance, actions, dialogue, and motivations.
Look for: Connections, links, and clues between and about characters. Ask yourself what the function and significance of each character is. Make this determination based upon the character's history, what the reader is told (and .
3. How is a 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. (Much like a
lawyer!)
4. How to Analyze a Story
Essential Elements of the Story
Structure of the Story
Rhetorical Elements
Meaning of the Story
5. How to Analyze a Story
Meaning of the Story
(Interpretation)
Identify the theme(s) and how the author
announces it.
Explain how the story elements contribute
to the theme.
Identify contextual elements (allusions,
symbols, other devices) that point beyond
the story to the author’s life/experience,
history or to other writings.
6. How to Analyze a Story
Essential Elements of the Story
Theme: main idea—what the work adds up
to
Plot: Relationship and patterns of events
Characters: people the author creates
Including the narrator of a story or the speaker
of a poem
Setting: when and where the action happens
Point of View: perspective or attitude of the
narrator or speaker
7. Theme
Main idea or underlying meaning of the
literary work.
What the author wants the reader to
understand about the subject
In fables, this may also be the moral of the
story
8. Sequence of
Conflict/Crisis/Resolution
All stories, literary essays, biographies,
and plays have a beginning, a middle,
and an end.
Typically, the beginning is used to describe
the conflict/problem faced by the
character/subject.
The middle is used to describe the climax or
crisis reached by the character/subject.
The end is used to resolve the
conflict/problem and establish a theme.
9. Climax (conflict and tension
reach a peak, and characters
realize their mistake, etc.)
Rising
Action
(conflict Falling Action
and (conflict gets
suspense worked out and
build tensions lessen.)
through a
series of
events).
Resolution
Exposition (conflict is
(characters, resolved
setting, and and
conflict are themes are
introduced.) established
.)
10. What Are The Major What Are The Major What Are The Major
Events In The First Part Events In The Middle Part Events In The Last Part
Of The Narrative That Of The Narrative That Of The Narrative That
Describe The Describe The Describe The Resolution/
Problem/Conflict? Crisis/Climax? Solution To The
Problem/Conflict?
11. Types of Conflict
person vs. person conflict
events typically focus on differences in values, experiences,
and attitudes.
person vs. society conflict
the person is fighting an event, an issue, a philosophy, or a
cultural reality that is unfair,
person vs. nature conflict
the character is often alone dealing with nature in extreme
circumstances.
person vs. fate/supernatural conflict
the text is characterized by a person contending with an
omnipresent issue or idea.
person vs. self conflict
the person is conflicted with childhood memories,
unpleasant experiences, or issues with stress and decision-
making.
12. Characterization
Round
Protagonist Three-dimensional personality
Main character Flat
Antagonist Only one or two striking qualities
Character or force —all bad or all good
that opposes the Dynamic
main character
Grows and progress to a higher
Foil level of understanding
Character that Static
provides a contrast to
the protagonist Remains unchanged throughout
the story
13. How He/She How Others Feel
Acts/Feels About Him/Her
Character
What He/She What
Looks Like He/She Says
14. What The Character Says Or What I Conclude About The
Does, A Quote From The Character Based On This
Character, A Detail About The Information (Focus On BIG,
Character, An Event From The Abstract Ideas, Not Concrete,
Story, Or A Comment About The Factual Information)
Character By Someone Else
15. Characterization
A character’s actions
A character’s choices
A character’s speech patterns
A character’s thoughts and feelings
A character’s comments
A character’s physical appearance and name
Other characters’ thoughts and feelings about
the character
Other characters’ actions toward the character
16. Setting
Time period Instrumental in
Geographical establishing mood
location May symbolize the
Historical and emotional state of
cultural context characters
Social Impact on
Political characters’
Spiritual motivations and
options
17. Historical Concepts Developed/ Events/Examples/Details That
Time Periods Revealed In This Time Support The Concepts/Ideas
18. Point of View
First Person
Narrator is a character within the story—reveals
own thoughts and feelings but not those of others
Third Person
Objective: narrator outside the story acts as a
reporter—cannot tell what characters are thinking
Limited: narrator outside the story but can see into
the mind of one of the characters
Omniscient: narrator is all-knowing outsider who can
enter the mind of more than one character.
19. How to Analyze a Story
Rhetorical Elements: Identify the
author’s use and explain their
importance
Foreshadowing
Use of hints or clues to suggest event that will
occur later in the story
Builds suspense—means of making the
narrative more believable
Tone
Author’s attitude—stated or implied—toward
the subject
Revealed through word choice and details
20. Rhetorical Elements
Mood
Climate of feeling in a literary work
Choice of setting, objects, details,
images, words
Symbolism
Person, place, object which stand for
larger and more abstract ideas
American flag = freedom
Dove = peace
21. Rhetorical Elements
Irony: contrast between what is
expected or what appears to be and
what actually is
Verbal Irony—contrast between what is
said and what is actually meant
Irony of Situation—an event that is the
opposite of what is expected or intended
Dramatic Irony—Audience or reader
knows more than the characters know
22. Rhetorical Elements
Figurative Language: language that
goes beyond the literal meaning of
words
Simile
Metaphor
Alliteration
Personification
Onomatopoeia
Hyperbole
23. Introduction
A literary analysis is a paper that gives
a deep and illuminating explanation of
a literary work--it is a Critical
Interpretation.
We will learn how to formulate a deep
thesis, organize a paper coherently,
and use a number of different critical
methods
24. Creating a Thesis
The thesis should state the basic point you
want to communicate, oftentimes including
your main elements of support
It should be clear and understandable
It should be deep, something that not
everyone would think of
It should be significant, something that the
majority of people interested in your text
would find helpful
It should be new and original
25. Creating a Thesis
Start by reading the text closely
Craft a statement that summarizes
your thoughts about the text and
responds to the ideas of other critics—
a working thesis
Modify your working thesis as you
continue to interact with your research
and the text
26. Creating a Thesis
Don’t be afraid to modify your thesis even
after you’ve begun writing the body of your
paper—it’s better to change it than to have a
bad one
Spend the body of your paper arguing that
your thesis provides an interpretation which
is clearly supported by the text.
Do not deviate from discussion related to
your thesis
27. How do I support a
thesis statement?
Examples from the text
Direct quotations
Summaries of scenes/action
Paraphrases
Other critics’ opinions
Historical and social context
28. Tips for Writing the Body
Begin by finding common threads among the
items supporting your thesis—oftentimes,
writing an outline helps this process along
Begin writing with the body, making sure that
each paragraph centers on one specific idea
Make sure that the topic sentence of each
paragraph demonstrates a link between the
content of the paragraph and your thesis
statement
29. Conclusion
Remember to strive for
depth and significance
Remember to center
your paper on your
thesis
Remember to organize
your paragraphs Go hit a home
around a central theme
(your thesis)
run !