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Writing about literature – an analytical essay. An analytical essay is NOT: a book review a retelling of the novel. An analytical essay is…. Writing about literature – an analytical essay. “Dysfunctional Communication” by Paige Horn (12 th grade student essay)
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Writing about literature – an analytical essay An analytical essay is NOT: a book review a retelling of the novel An analytical essay is…
Writing about literature – an analytical essay • “Dysfunctional Communication” by Paige Horn (12th grade student essay) • Read the essay and annotate the text (underline, ?, !) • Identify the parts of the paper that demonstrate good writing about literature. • Feel free to note anything that doesn’t work too.
Writing about literature – an analytical essay • Pre-write/brainstorm • In your notebook, I want you to write questions about anything we’ve read this semester, as many as you can think of, in paragraph form. • NO lists. • Questions that begin with “I wonder” or “How” or “Why” seem to yield the best results. • Feel free to answer your own questions as you go along.
Tonight’s Homework Use the list of “Idea Seeds” to help you think more deeply about your book. In your writer’s notebook, write for 10 minutes (or more) about as many or as few as you want. Write freely, allowing your ideas to come to you as your pen moves across the page.
Parts of a well-organized essay • An introduction - Must engage the reader - Must have a clear thesis • Logical paragraphing - Each paragraph should focus on one idea • Pacing and flow - Use of transitions - Paragraphs are in an effective order • A conclusion - Reminder of the thesis - Discussion of the significance of ideas presented
Read this example of a literary analysis paper. Draw a symbol next to each paragraph: - interested - bored ? – puzzled Also, note in the margins anything you are thinking as you read. Student Essay – “On Catcher in the Rye”
Create a thesis statement using the template: Thesis Template In the _______________(adjectives)________________________(title of book), _____________________________ (author’s name) explores how _________________________________________________ so that the reader______________________________________. In addition, you need 3 to 5 pieces of evidence from the text to support your thesis. Tonight’s Homework
Quotation Analysis Use the text to find 3 – 5 quotations that will support your thesis. Write these below your thesis. Note the page number on which the quotation appears. I will be walking around to check on your thesis. Be prepared to explain it to me.
Quotation Analysis • Using the handout, let’s analyze one of the quotations together. • Copy the quote word for word into the first column. • Explain what the quotation means in your own words. • How does this particular quotation support your thesis? • Why is this quotation important to the novel and your thesis?
First draft of literary analysis essay • Use the working thesis from last night’s homework as the first sentence of your draft. • Use your pieces of evidence and explore what they mean and why they are important. • When you run out of things to say about one piece of evidence, move on to the next one. • Use this time to focus on what you want to say about this piece of literature. • You have 25 minutes to write. Remember to write on every other line. • I will be collecting these drafts at the end of that time.
Share • Please pass your paper to the person on your right. You will have one minute to look over your peer’s draft. • Pass the paper to the person on your right. You will have one minute to look over your peer’s draft. • Pass the paper to the person on your right. You will have one minute to look over your peer’s draft. • Return the paper to its writer. • What did you notice about your classmates’ essays?
Tonight’s Homework • Please pass your drafts forward. As I read through your drafts, I’m going to be looking for what is promising in your paper, not for errors. • Tonight’s homework is to reread the first five pages of the book you are writing about. Authors work especially hard on their opening scenes and introduce many of their important themes in the first few hundred words. • When we read these pages the first time, we don’t understand enough about the theme of the book to fully appreciate them. • I think rereading these pages will mean a lot more to you now and possibly give you additional ideas for your essay.
The language of literary analysis • We want to move words from our reading vocabulary into our writing vocabulary. • Writing about literature is easier when you have vivid verbs and precise adjectives at your fingertips. • Look at “The Language of Literary Analysis” word list. • Read over the list. Circle the adjectives that apply to your novel’s tone, mood, and style. • Circle the adjectives that apply to a key character from your book.
Revise drafts • I am returning your drafts. Please read over my comments and compose one question that you would like to ask me about your essay. • Begin revising, using the language of literary analysis. • I will be coming to each of you for a brief conference. Have your question ready!
Editing • Definition of EDIT • 1 a: to prepare (as literary material) for publication or public presentation b: to assemble (as a moving picture or tape recording) by cutting and rearranging c: to alter, adapt, or refine especially to bring about conformity to a standard or to suit a particular purpose <carefully edited the speech> <edit a data file> • 2: to direct the publication of <edits the daily newspaper> • 3:delete —usually used with out
Editing • In your group, you will read the drafts for a single editing feature. • If you see an error, simply draw a squiggly line under the place you believe needs correction. • Each person in your group has been assigned a specific editing role: • Spelling • Punctuation • Run-ons and fragments
Consider revising your opening • DO NOT begin with, “This is a book about…” • Read over the opening paragraph of “The Power of Voice” by Molly Strauss • What makes this a good opening? • Examples of weak openings: • All good novels have an underlying message. • Every book is made up of words. • Different experiences in a person’s life shape who they are • It is hard to pinpoint human nature.
Tonight’s Homework • Proofread and edit your essay • Revise your opening • Rewrite a second draft of your literary analysis essay
From second draft to finished essay • Tonight will be your final opportunity to make improvements to your essay before turning them in. • Here is the 9-point scoring guide I will be using to assess your papers. • Understanding this rubric can help you make good final changes and help you make sure you haven’t overlooked any important elements of a literary analysis essay.
Using the 9-point rubric • Read “The Chosen Essay” • Assess it based on the 9-point rubric • Compare scores with your neighbor • Assess your second draft using the 9-point rubric • Exchange paper with your neighbor. Score each others paper and discuss.
Tonight’s Homework • Your literary essays are due tomorrow • Don’t forget – you need a title (something more enticing than “Literary Analysis Essay”) • Please type or NEATLY handwrite your final draft. • If you type, please double-space. • If you handwrite, please skip every other line
Do Now • Please pass up your final literary analysis essay • Today, we will practice writing a literary analysis essay in response to a prompt • One mistake that many students make is NOT responding to the task assigned • Carefully read the directions for “Writing About Literature Prompt: ‘A Poison Tree’” • You have 25 minutes to respond to this prompt. • Go!
