Writing about Literature and Linguistics

1. Writing about Literature and Linguistics • Writing about Literature: • Use MLA Format • Writing about Language and Linguistics: • Confer with your advisor about to which style to use: MLA or APA • APA is more commonly used in Linguistics

2. Style • First and foremost the text has to be easy to read • No best style that works for all but, • Certain things help to make a good style of writing!

3. Characteristics of good writing are? • Good organization • English expository writing • Logical presentation of arguments • Clear language • Anticipating readers´ train of thought

4. Characteristics of poor writing are? • Poor organization • Overuse of highly specific academic and obscure terminology • Overuse of a few sources • Shifting of style according to sources • Leaving the reader to do too much of the work of clarifying your thoughts

5. A Few Pointers: • Be conscise and to the point • Avoid wordiness • Avoid repetition: • As I have said before... • As mentioned above... • As I will explain later... • One topic per paragraph • 3-4 paragraphs per page • Each paragraph has: a topic sentence – discussion – conclusion

6. Writing the Literary Analysis Brought to you by the Purdue University Writing Lab Author: Brian Yothers

7. What is Literary Analysis? • It’s literary • It’s an analysis • It’s-- • An Argument! • It may also involve research on and analysis of secondary sources

8. How is it “literary”? • Usually, a literary analysis will involve a discussion of a text as writing, thus the term literary, which means “having to do with letters” • This will involve the use of certain concepts that are very specifically associated with literature

9. The Basics Plot Setting Narration/point of view Characterization Symbol Metaphor Genre Irony/ambiguity Other key concepts Historical context Social, political, economic contexts Ideology Multiple voices Various critical orientations Literary theory Important literary concepts

10. How Can I Learn More? • There are various handbooks of literary terms available in most libraries. • There are numerous introductions to literary criticism and theory that are widely available. • Example: A Handbook to Literature. Harmon/Holman

11. What is an Analysis? • An analysis of a literary work may discuss • How the various components of an individual work relate to each other • How two separate literary works deal with similar concepts or forms • How concepts and forms in literary works relate to larger aesthetic, political, social, economic, or religious contexts

12. 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!)

13. Which is the best thesis statement? • Moby-Dick is about the problem of evil. • Moby-Dick is boring and pointless. • Moby-Dick is about a big, white whale. • The use of “whiteness” in Moby-Dick illustrates the uncertainty about the meaning of life that Ishmael expresses throughout the novel.

14. How do I support a thesis statement? • Examples from the text: • Direct quotations • Summaries of scenes • Paraphrase • Other critics’ opinions • Historical and social context • Always remember to read carefully and highlight useful passages and quotes!

15. What is a secondary source? • A book or article that discusses the text you are discussing • A book or article that discusses a theory related to the argument you are making • A book or article that discusses the social and historical context of the text you are discussing

16. How do I find secondary sources? • MLA International Bibliography • Dictionary of Literary Biography • Discipline-specific sources • Other search engines • A bibliography that is part of your text • Ask someone who knows

17. Integrating secondary sources • When you use secondary sources, be sure to show how they relate to your thesis • Don’t overuse any one secondary source, or for that matter, secondary sources in general • Remember that this is your paper, your argument—the secondary sources are just helping you out • Never, never, never plagiarize! See the OWL handout on plagiarism for more information.

18. Overview of Literary Analysis • When writing a literary analysis: • Be familiar with literary terms • Analyze specific items • Make an a argument • Make appropriate use of secondary sources • Consult instructors and tutors for help when needed

19. More info about writing about literature: • http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/618/01/

20. Writing about Language • Abstract • Introduction (with a research question) • Review of the Literature • The Study • Methodology • Subjects • Analysis • Conclusions

21. Choosing and Using Sources • Finding and choosing the appropriate sources: • Advisor • Google • http://www.dianahacker.com/resdoc/p03_c04_s9.html • Evaluating sources: • http://www.dianahacker.com/resdoc/tips.html

22. Choosing ans Using Sources • Integrating sources into the text: http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/preview/0312450257/preview.aspx (VIEW) • MLA Bibliography See: http://www.dianahacker.com/resdoc/p04_c08_s2.html

23. Avoiding Plagiarism According to Hacker three different acts are considered plagiarism: • failing to cite quotations and borrowed ideas • failing to enclose borrowed language in quotation marks • failing to put summaries and paraphrases in your own words. http://ebooks.bfwpub.com/writersref6e.php

24. Finally: Starting the process... “Don’t get it right, get it written” James Thurber • Plan your writing • Avoid last minute writing • Divide the work into parts: • Get your ideas down • Write the preliminary text • Edit for organization, clarity and mechanics • Meet with your advisor or study pals and discuss your ideas and the writing process!