Writing an Analytical Essay Writing an Analytical Essay about a Literary Work Makes an argument: You are arguing that your perspectivean interpretation, judgment, evaluation of the literatureis a valid one. Proves a thesis: You must have a specific, detailed thesis statement that reveals your perspective, and like any good argument, must be one which is debatable.
Taken from http://www.owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/general/gl_lit.html The Format of an Analytical Essay I. II. III. Introduction Body Paragraphs Conclusion The Function of an Introduction An introduction:
captures your audience's attention. gives background on your topic. develops interest in your topic. guides your reader to your thesis statement. (Taken from http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/intro.html) Developing a Thesis Statement A thesis statement must be:
An opinionnot a fact Significantworth spending the time developing into an essay Provableable to be supported with quotes from the text Focused on one ideamust be a single idea Developing a Thesis Statement A thesis statement must be: Valid/logicalbe sure you have interpreted the piece of literature correctly Clearyour readers should have no doubt what you are proving
Specificfocus on a particular aspect of your topic A declarative sentence written in the active voice Usually the last sentence of the introduction. Writing a Thesis Statement Sample thesis statements: 1) Shakespeare uses character foils to emphasize important qualities in his hero. 2) Fairy tales send young girls the wrong message because in these stories the woman always needs rescuing by the man. 3) The characters of The Great Gatsby distort the
American Dream through the means they use to obtain it. Myrtle Wilson, Jay Gatsby, and the Buchanans corrupt the American Dream through the extreme and immoral measures they employ to achieve their goals. Writing a Thesis Statement Whats wrong with these thesis statements? 1) To Kill a Mockingbird takes place in Maycomb, Alabama. 2) Shakespeares Hamlet is a play about a young man who
seeks revenge. 3) Scout changes from a child to a young girl and Jem begins to grow up, too. 4) Harry Potter has the qualities to conquer his enemies and he does and then he goes on to find something else to do. Deciding How to Prove the Thesis Statement
The thesis statement may include your proofs. OR The thesis statement may be followed by a sentence which contains your proofs. Deciding How to Prove the Thesis Statement Thesis statement + proofs in the final sentence of introduction: J.K. Rowling shows Harry Potters heroism through his conflicts with three main characters. Throughout the series, Harry battles Voldemort, Professor Snape and Draco Malfoy. Thesis statement + proofs in the same sentence: Although Suzanne Collins and Veronica Roths portrayals of dystopian societies are similar, they differ significantly in
setting, conflict, and tone. The Format of the Introduction The introduction begins with a broad statement about the main idea. This statement might suggest background or the general category to which the thesis idea belongs. The next sentences are more specific, moving closer to the actual thesis of the essay. The final sentence of an introduction often contains a fairly specific version of the main idea; it is the thesis statement. (Adapted from http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/intro.html)
The introductory paragraph must include: A general statement that has to do with the subject of the story The title and author of the story A brief summary of the story A clear thesis statement The Introduction (Adapted from http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/intro.html) Writing the Introduction
Sentence 1: The general statement Is a general topic sentence Introduces the topic of the essay Captures the readers attention through a quote, observation, definition, or anecdote Sentences 2-4: The summary sentences Includes the title and author Brief summary and relevant background information of novel or short story Sentences 5(-6)
Contains the thesis statement and proofs Sample Introduction Is hunting really a civilized pastime? This is the question that the author Richard Connell asks as he keeps his readers on the edge of their seats in his famous short story The Most Dangerous Game. Connell creates a situation in which a famous hunter becomes anothers mans prey. When the hunter, Rainsford finds himself marooned on Ship-TrapIsland, he discovers that, as a hobby, the owner of the island hunts men instead of animals. Rainsford must outsmart his opponent in order to stay alive, and so he experiences all the fears that an animal feels when it is hunted. By putting a hunter in the role of prey, Richard Connell demonstrates his belief that
hunting is a cruel sport. To illustrate this theme, Connell uses irony and suspense. Writing the Body Paragraphs Each body paragraph: Contains a clear topic sentence which identifies the connection between your examples/explanation and your thesis . Demonstrates that the topic sentence is true by giving evidence. Includes quotes from the short story or novel to show that you didnt make up the evidence. Reminds the reader of the connection
between your evidence and the thesis. Sample Outline of a Four-Paragraph Essay I. Introduction A. Opening sentence(s): B. Brief summary: C. Thesis statement: D. Proofs: II. Body Paragraph #1 (8
sentences) A. Topic sentence: B. Concrete details/Text evidence C. Commentary/Analysis (two sentences) D. Concrete details/Text evidence E. Commentary/Analysis (two sentences) F. Concluding/transition sentence Sample Outline for a Four-Paragraph Essay III. Body Paragraph #2 A. Topic sentence: B. Concrete details/Text evidence
C. Commentary/Analysis (two sentences) D. Concrete details/Text evidence E. Commentary/Analysis (two sentences) F. Concluding/transition sentence IV. Conclusion A. Topic sentence: B. Restatement or summary of thesis C. Evaluation of topic D. Closing statement Fairy Tales: Enduring Lessons or Wrong Messages? I. Introduction
A. Topic sentence: Fairy tales are some of the oldest and most time-honored pieces of literature in the world. B. Brief summary: 1. Found in almost every culture. 2. Read by or to young children. 3. Simple storieseasy to remember 4. Children impressed by moral or lesson. C. Thesis statement: Fairy tales send young girls the wrong message because in these stories the woman always needs rescuing by the man.
D. Proofs: Popular fairy tales that demonstrate this theme are Cinderella and Snow White Fairy Tales: Enduring Lessons or Wrong Messages? III. Body Paragraph #2 A. Topic sentence: Snow White, hated for her beauty by her own mother, is poisoned and made comatose until a handsome prince
falls in love with her and breaks the spell. B. Supporting details: 1. 2. 3. 4. Fairy Tales: Enduring Lessons or Wrong Messages? II. Body Paragraph #1 A. Topic sentence: Poor Cinderella is a helpless victim of her cruel
stepmother and stepsisters until the prince arrives to take her away. B. Supporting details: 1. Text evidence a. Analysis b. Analysis 2.Text evidence a. Analysis b. Analysis Fairy Tales: Enduring Lessons or Wrong Messages? IV.
Conclusion A. Topic sentence: B. Restatement or summary of thesis C. Evaluation of topic D. Closing statement Resources Maplewood Writing Center http://www.kcmetro.cc.mo.us/maplewoods/writeplace/MWHandoutsIndex.ht ml Concepts of Critical Analysis http://www.kcmetro.cc.mo.us/maplewoods/writeplace/CriticalAnalysis.html Writing a Thesis Statement http://www.kcmetro.cc.mo.us/maplewoods/writeplace/thesisstatement.html
http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/thesistatement.html Writing Effective Introductions http://www.kcmetro.cc.mo.us/maplewoods/writeplace/writingintros.html http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/intro.html Writing Effective Conclusions http://www.kcmetro.cc.mo.us/maplewoods/writeplace/conclusions.html Evaluating a Paragraph http://www.kcmetro.cc.mo.us/maplewoods/writeplace/EvaluatingParagraph. htm