English 12 2015 Literary Analysis Essay Handbook

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WRITING A LITERARY ANALYSIS ESSAY


GRADE 12 – SYNTHESIS ESSAY

With Thanks to Linda O’Reilly for providing the framework


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WRITING ABOUT LITERATURE

What is a literary analysis essay?

A literary analysis (discuss and explain essay) is where you offer your observations about a
literary work: poem, story, novel or play. Your objective in writing a literary analysis is to discuss
an interpretation of the literary work.

TIP: A literary analysis is not a summary. Retell only as much of the literary work as is needed to
support your point. Your role is to be the interpreter or explainer of the work.

I. FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE EXAM PROMPT

1. Read the exam prompt and identify the key verb and key words.

KEY VERBS

Assess: Estimate the value of something based on some


criteria; present an informed judgment.
Discuss:
This term means that you should give a complete and
detailed answer. Make sure that you examine, analyze
and present all points of view regarding the topic you
are discussing. Identify the issues and provide points
for and /or against.
Evaluate:
Present a value judgment, stressing advantages and
disadvantages of the situation.
Explain:
Relate cause and effect, make the relationships
between things evident and provide the answer to
why or how.
To What Extent Advance arguments in favour of a position or point of
view and respond to or take into account arguments
opposed to that position or point of view.
Compare
Look for those qualities or characteristics that are
similar in the subject you are discussing..
Contrast
Stress the qualities or characteristics that are different
in the things you are discussing.
Describe
Try to give the reader a "word picture" of what you
are describing by including the main parts, colours,
shapes, sensations etc., as vividly as possible. Provide
characteristics and features.
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Prompt Example:

How would the speaker of “The Shopping-Bag Lady” respond to the citizens in “The Ones Who
Walk Away From Omelas”?

2. Transfer the prompt to the top of your page.

3. Read the literary work with the prompt in mind.

II. READ WITH A PENCIL IN HAND

STEP 1: Read, and locate.

– Read the literary work closely with the exam prompt in mind.
– Locate and underline the words and phrases (evidence) as you read that will help you
address the prompt.

STEP 2: BRAINSTORM AN OUTLINE USING A KEY PHRASE FROM THE PROMPT.

 Organize your thoughts and ideas in such a way that there is a point of connection between
the two texts:
 Create a list of 2-3 pairs of ideas. These key ideas will be the heart of your essay.

 Gather support for these ideas.


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III. WRITING A LITERARY ANALYSIS ESSAY

Now that you have outlined the key ideas and evidence, your job is to construct a well-formed
literary analysis essay. A literary analysis essay has an introduction, body, and conclusion. You
will be writing in the present tense and incorporating quotations.

INTRODUCTION

– Begin with a general statement that links both pieces.


– Include the names of the authors, the titles of the works you will be discussing, and a brief
summary of each.

– Include a thesis statement that is a reflection of the prompt.

Introduction example:

Society is plagued by injustice and indifference. The speaker of Linda Gregg’s “The Shopping-
Bag Lady” has a great awareness of the moral dilemma the citizens of “The Ones Who Walk
Away from Omelas” by Ursula K. Leguin encounter and her response would show
understanding for the inability to alleviate the suffering of those society deems as expendable.
The speaker of “The Shopping-Bag Lady” would respond with acute understanding to the
citizens of Omelas.

BODY PARAGRAPHS

Once you have written the introduction, your job is to take the key points and evidence in your
outline and turn them into the body paragraphs. In the body paragraphs you present evidence
to support the thesis.

STEP 1: BEGIN WITH A STRONG TOPIC SENTENCE.

The purpose of the topic sentence is twofold:


– To tie the details of the paragraph to your thesis statement.
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– To tie the details of the paragraph together.

Topic sentence example:

The speaker in “The Shopping-Bag Lady” recognizes society’s failure to react to the condition of
its underprivileged citizens and for this reason would relate to the actions of the citizens in
Omelas.

STEP 2: DEVELOP A SINGLE KEY POINT

– The substance of each body paragraph will be the explanations, paraphrases, specific
details, and direct quotations you need to support and develop the statement you have
made in your topic sentence.

STEP 3: USE TEXTUAL EVIDENCE EFFECTIVELY, USING THE SPI TECHNIQUE

SPI TECHNIQUE

STATE THE POINT PROVIDE EVIDENCE I


EXPLAIN THE MPORTANCE
STATE the point

Open each body paragraph with a topic sentence that includes a key point that
in a clear way is helping to answer the exam question.

PROVIDE evidence

Textual evidence consists of paraphrase, specific details, and direct


quotations.

explain the IMPORTANCE

Explaining the importance works like a needle and thread, sewing point and
evidence together to illustrate how they connect to one another.

STEP 4: USE TRANSITIONS EFFECTIVELY TO ARGUE, EXPLAIN AND COMPARE IDEAS.


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– Good literary essay writers know that each paragraph must be clearly and strongly linked to
the material around it. Think of each paragraph as a response to the one that precedes it.

Argue however... therefore... because... but... and...


furthermore… also... in addition... then... as well as...
next... whereas... in contrast... later... at first...
similarly...
Explain this implies... this suggests... which gives the
impression that... this shows... this clearly shows...
possibly... perhaps... this indicates that... this conveys
that... this is apparent…
Compare/Contrast although this is true…at the same time…but… …in
comparison…however…meanwhile…nevertheless…on
the contrary…conversely…
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Body paragraph examples:

The speaker in “The Shopping-Bag Lady” recognizes society’s failure to react to the condition of
its underprivileged citizens and for this reason would relate to the actions of the citizens in
Omelas. In her city she observes people’s blatant disregard for their fellow citizens, and realizes
that “The Shopping-bag Lady” was murdered by society’s ignorance. For this reason, she would
understand the townspeople of Omelas. Not only have they committed an injustice towards
one of their own, they hide it from view: the apparent happiness in Omelas is built upon a
foundation of suffering. All the citizens are aware of the child’s existence, as well as the
condition of its existence. However, they merely accept that it is in “the name of a greater
good.” The speaker from “The Shopping-Bag Lady” would recognize how the innocent suffer
but are easily overlooked by those who prosper.

Additionally, the dichotomy the citizens encounter is not an easy one. The speaker realizes this,
understanding that “if there was a disgrace it was God’s.” Her response to their dilemma would
be saying the failure is theirs for having placed their “Green Fields” upon the foundation of evil.
The speaker, however, would know that the place of evil is “the most important place [they]
have yet devised.” As such, she would acknowledge that the citizens accept this necessary evil
in the name or their prosperity. The speaker would also notice the guilt of some of the citizens
of Omelas, and understand their inability to accept responsibility for the suffering of the child.

CONCLUSION

Your literary analysis essay should have a concluding paragraph that gives your essay a sense of
completeness. A good conclusion will:

1. Use transitions such as: to conclude, in conclusion, hence, therefore, accordingly,


thus, as a result, consequently.
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3. Restate the thesis, but not repeat the exact phrasing.

4. Summarize the arguments; do not repeat the details of your body paragraphs in your
conclusion.
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5. Stay relevant. Your conclusion is not the time to pad your essay with all the extra,
interesting ideas you came up but could not fit into the essay proper.

6. Demonstrate your understanding of the main message expressed in the text(s), as it


relates to the prompt (i.e. make a connection to the theme of the pieces).

Conclusion example:

In conclusion, the speaker has a tremendous understanding of the citizens of Omelas, and of
their inability to respond to the child’s suffering. She would recognize the similarity of her own
response to the homeless woman. As a result, the speaker typifies society’s avoidance of
responsibility and how we, as a society, do not respond if we are not adversely affected.

IV. EDIT

1. Read your essay aloud to check for overall sense and sound.
2. Make sure your writing is concise. Take out any words, phrases, or ideas, which are
repeated unnecessarily, which sound flowery, or which pad rather than add to an
explanation.
3. Study each paragraph for overall effectiveness and clarity. Does each paragraph have a
clear purpose and focus? Have you used appropriate transitions within and between
paragraphs?

V. PROOFREAD

1. Check your writing for any words or phrases, which may have been left out.
1. Check your writing for spelling, capitalization and punctuation errors.
2. Read over for grammar and spelling. Be on the alert for common grammatical errors
such as sentence fragments or run-on sentences.

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