Writing 10 - Literary Analysis

the first paragraph in your essay. It begins creatively in order to catch your reader’s interest, provides essential background about the literary work, and prepares the reader for your major thesis. The introduction must include the author and title of the work as well as an explanation of the theme to be discussed. Other essential background may include setting, an introduction of main characters, etc. The major thesis goes in this paragraph usually at the end. Because the major thesis sometimes sounds tacked on, make special attempts to link it to the sentence that precedes it by building on a key word or idea.

the support paragraphs of your essay. These paragraphs contain supporting Example: (concrete detail) and analysis/explanation (commentary) for your topic sentences. Each paragraph in the body includes

(1) a topic sentence, (2) textual evidence (a.k.a. quotes from your reading) and commentary (a.k.a. explanation), and (3) a concluding sentence. In its simplest form, each body paragraph is organized as follows:

1. topic sentence

2. lead-in to textual evidence 1

3. textual evidence 1

4. commentary

5. transition and lead-in to textual evidence 2 6. textual evidence 2

7. commentary

8. concluding or clincher sentence

 last paragraph in your essay. This paragraph should begin by echoing your major thesis without repeating the words exactly. Then, the conclusion should broaden from the thesis statements to answer the “so what?” question your reader may have after reading your essay. The conclusion should do one or more of the following:

1) Reflect on how your essay topic relates to the book as a whole

2) Evaluate how successful the author is in achieving his or her goal or message

3) Give a personal statement about the topic

4) Make predictions

5) Connect back to your creative opening

6) Give your opinion of the novel’s value or significance