Writing a Literary Analysis

1. Writing a Literary Analysis

2. 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.

3. 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.

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

5. 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.

6. How is 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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

10. How Do I Find Secondary Sources? • MLA International Bibliography • Dictionary of Literary Biography • Discipline-specific sources • Example: America: History and Life for American literature • Other search engines • A bibliography that is part of your text • Ask your instructor

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. The thesis statement • Without a carefully conceived thesis, an essay has no chance of success. The following are thesis statements which would work for a 500-750 word literary analysis essay: • Gwendolyn Brooks’s 1960 poem "The Ballad of Rudolph Reed" demonstrates how the poet uses the conventional poetic form of the ballad to treat the unconventional poetic subject of racial intolerance. • The fate of the main characters in Antigone illustrates the danger of excessive pride. • The imagery in Dylan Thomas’s poem "Fern Hill" reveals the ambiguity of our relationship with nature. • PLEASE NOTE: THE BEST PLACE TO PUT YOUR THESIS STATEMENT IS AT THE END OF YOUR INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH

14. Is or was? Went or goes? Use the present tense when you are discussing and writing about literature -- literary works are considered to exist in the present. At times, you will need the past or future tense to establish a sequence of events within a text, but present should be your point of departure.

15. On verbs • The stronger and clearer you can make your verbs, the more directly you will communicate information to your audience. • Keep these basic guidelines in mind as you check your verbs: • Rely on Active Voice • Convert Weak Nouns to Strong Verbs • Be Concise

16. Audience • Consider the reader for whom you are writing your essay. Imagine you are writing for other students in your class who have about as much education as you do. They have read the assigned work just as you have, but perhaps they have not thought about it in exactly the same way as you. In other words,it is not necessary to "retell" the work of literature in any way. Rather it is your role to be the explainer or interpreter of the work.

17. Personal pronouns (opinion) • You are inviting your reader to follow along with your thesis and the arguments/support with which you back up the thesis. Using phrases such as “in my opinion” or “I think” merely detracts from your thesis and shifts the focus to YOU, not the topic at hand. Remain objective, with a few exceptions.

18. Exceptions • Oftentimes, you will want to agree or disagree with a point made in a novel. How, without saying “I,” etc. • Neutral phrases which identify a general audience and appeal and include the writer are those such as: • “seems to indicate…,” “It is evident that,” “clearly denotes…,” “will prove to be…” etc.

19. Writing A Literary Essay A guide focused on William Shakespeare’s Macbeth

20. EXAMPLE OF A LITERARY ESSAY TOPIC: “Lady Macbeth is directly responsible for Duncan’s death. If not for her, Macbeth would have never committed the murder. ” Discuss the truth of this statement and what it reveals about Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s characters in a 2-3 page essay.

21. STEP ONE: Think about the topic: • The topic usually has 2 or more components: 1. THE STATEMENT/QUESTION: Lady Macbeth is directly responsible for Duncan’s death. If not for her, Macbeth would have never committed the murder. 2. INSTRUCTION: The ‘instruction’ tells you how to approach your essay “Discuss the truth of this statement and what it reveals about Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s characters.”

22. HOW TO QUOTE: • When quoting, always remember that the quote should “fit” into the sentence in a flowing manner. • Although Macbeth accepts that killing Duncan is the only way to get the crown, he is constantly doubtful. After the murder he says, “I am afraid to think what I have done; Look on't again I dare not” (II.2). This demonstrates quite clearly that Macbeth is overwhelmed by guilt and that Lady Macbeth is the most important factor in his decision.

23. STEP TWO: STRUCTURE OF A LITERARY ESSAY • The basic format of all essays is the same: • 1. Introduction – Usually 4-5 lines allowing the reader a glimpse of the focus of and direction your essay has taken. (The beginning of your literary journey.) 2. Body – Divided into paragraphs, the body allows you to present relevant information in a logical and organized manner. (The different stops you make while on your trip.) • 3. Conclusion – Usually 4-7 lines rounding off your discussion and explaining what the evidence has revealed in relation to the topic. (The final destination.)

24. HOW TO WRITE AN INTRODUCTION: • A broad thesis statement introducing the topic and adding your opinion: • e.g. There is no question that Macbeth holds the weapons that killed King Duncan; however, it can be argued that Lady Macbeth provides the foundation and is the persistent force that leads to the murder. • A quote that links to the statement: (If possible) • e.g. Lady Macbeth hints at her influence over her husband immediately after she hears of the prophecy: “Hie thee hither, that I may pour my spirits in thine ear” (I.5), clearly indicating Macbeth will not be able to continue without her.

25. FULL TEXT: INTRODUCTION There is no question that Macbeth holds the weapons that kill King Duncan; however, it can be argued that Lady Macbeth provides the foundation and is the force that leads to the murder. Lady Macbeth hints at her influence over her husband immediately after she hears of the prophecy:“Hie thee hither, that I may pour my spirits in thine ear” (I.5), clearly indicating Macbeth will not continue without her. The role Lady Macbeth plays in the murder reveals much about Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s characters.

26. HOW TO STRUCTURE THE BODY: • Remember to use transition that link each paragraph to the next in a smooth manner. • Each paragraph must contain ONE idea ONLY. • Try as far as possible to write each paragraph in the order the events occurred in the play. • Determine how many paragraphs you need to devote to defending your thesis statement (3-4).

27. PARAGRAPHS: “THE STATE, QUOTE, COMMENT TECHNIQUE” • State: Make a statement relating to topic • After the darkness created during Act 1, Scene 1 by the three witches, the praise delivered by the wounded Captain, King Duncan and Ross throughout Scene 2 creates an image of Macbeth as an honourable, fearless and loyal leader who is willing to die defending Scotland. In contrast to the witches, Macbeth seems perfect. • Quote: Find a quote to support your statement. • However, one must also consider the words spoken by the First Witch during Act 1,Scene 1: “Fair is foul, and foul is fair,” indicating the moral confusion in the world. • Comment: In your own words, write down your observation. • Thus, Macbeth may appear good, but one must realize that he could well be evil. It would not require much from a skilled manipulator to set this evil free and push Macbeth to satisfy his lust for power by killing the King.

28. FULL TEXT: PARAGRAPH After the darkness created during Act 1, Scene 1 by the three witches, the praise delivered by the wounded Captain, King Duncan and Ross throughout Scene 2 creates an image of Macbeth as an honorable, fearless and loyal leader who is willing to die defending Scotland. In contrast to the witches, Macbeth seems perfect. However, one must also consider the words spoken by the First Witch during Act 1,Scene 1: “Fair is foul, and foul is fair,”indicating the moral confusion in the world. Thus, Macbeth may appear good, but one must realize that he could well be evil. It would not require much from a skilled manipulator to set this evil free and push Macbeth to satisfy his lust for power by killing the King.

29. CONCLUSION: • It answers the "so what?" question. You have introduced the essay, presented the evidence…so what? • The conclusion ends your argument with a final decision – the meaning of all that you have written in relation to the topic.

30. FULL TEXT: CONCLUSION It is clear that Lady Macbeth feels that her husband is far too weak to do what is necessary and take the throne. Her involvement is essential to get the power they desire. We see this when she tells Macbeth: “What thou wouldst highly, That wouldst thou holily; wouldst not play false, And yet wouldst wrongly win”(I.5), implying that Macbeth’s inner goodness would stop him from getting what he wants. As a result, it is believable that Macbeth would never have killed Duncan if Lady Macbeth had not influenced him otherwise. She may not have physically held the daggers, but her manipulation of Macbeth makes her just as guilty as he is.