Getting the most points on your Literary Analysis Paper

Read the Directions Carefully

• You must chose two works by different authors that have significant similarities as well as differences.

• As part of the assignment, you will quote from the primary text as well as include research from outside sources

– a minimum of 3 outside sources is required.

Analysis• Choose how you are going to analyze the two

works you have chosen• #1 - choose a specific literary concept we

learned in class [such as romanticism, realism, or the fantastic]

• #2 – then choose three of the following points: character, audience, theme, symbolism, and overall message (are both works saying the same thing about life or something different?).

Summary versus Analysis

• A summary re-tells a story.• An analysis examines the cause or effect of an

incident in the story, compares or contrasts 2 characters, explains how an event occurred etc…

Ex: Mary had a little lamb

• Summary: Mary had a little lamb. It followed her to school. No lambs were allowed in school. The children laughed.

• Analysis: one reason Mary may have brought the lamb to school was to get attention. All the children “laughed and played”, making Mary feel at the center and popular.

Summary Page

• 1 page, single space, brief summary of both works.

* This will be the last page of your Literary Analysis Paper.

Writing Your Essay

Basic essay parts• Introduction [lead in, transition sentences, thesis] • Body Paragraphs [ topic sentences, good

examples, and quotes]• Conclusion [restates thesis in different words,

summarizes main points, gives your opinion]

Introduction + Title

• Clever Title• Interesting attention getter• Transition sentences that announce the two

works• Thesis Statement + plan of development

Body Paragraphs

• Topic sentence with transition• Main points supported by quotes from the two

works and outside sources• Clear illustration how the quote supports your

point

Using quotes in Essay

Using a quote requires 3 sentences

1. Your Idea

2. Quote

3. Explanation how quote supports your idea

Quote Examples

1.Mary appears to have a fetish for lamb wool

2. Dr. Benton states that “ Mary’s proclivity for her lamb makes her pet it often and bring it with her.” (Benton 22)

3. Her constant need to touch and stroke her lamb illustrates Mary’s obsession.

Conclusion

• Restate your thesis in different words• Tells what you’ve learned by analyzing the two

works• What did you learn about poetry, short stories

and plays?

Works Cited Page & Summary

• Works Cited - Follow Correct MLA Format– Write MLA Information as you research!

• Summary page is the last page of your essay.

Quick Tips for College Essays

• Ask Questions Early• Start Sooner than Later• Research, Then Outline, Then Write• Librarians Can Help• Go to the Writing Center• Share Your Essay