...THESIS STATEMENTS IN LITERARY ANALYSIS PAPERS *The thesis statement is one of the (if not the) most important parts of your paper—think of it as the foundation of a house—if your foundation is weak and poorly constructed, what do you think happens to the house? *The thesis statement is the announcement of your analytical argument that you intend to make and prove in the duration of your paper. It is a road map for the paper—it tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper. *It should be placed somewhere in the Introduction of your paper—Many like to put it as the last sentence(s) of their Intro which is fine. *Successful thesis statements provoke thought and should read beautifully. *Your thesis statement should include two parts: WHAT and WHY. *WHAT: What claim are you making about the text? *WHY: Why should we care? Why is your claim important? Your thesis should answer the “so what?” question. *A thesis statement is usually, but can be more than, one sentence long. Examples of Literary Thesis Statements: * “Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn is a great American novel.” *What’s wrong with this thesis statement? *An opinion about the book, not an argument. * “In Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain develops a contrast between life on the river and life on the shore.” *Better? How so? What is still missing? *Doesn’t answer the “so what?” question—what is the point of the contrast? What does the contrast signify? * “Through its contrasting river and shore scenes, Twain’s Huckleberry...
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...Writing a Literary Analysis Paper The Purpose of a Literary Analysis: A literary analysis is not merely a summary of a literary work. Instead, it is an argument about the work that expresses a writer’s personal perspective, interpretation, judgment, or critical evaluation of the work. This is accomplished by examining the literary devices, word choices, or writing structures the author uses within the work. The purpose of a literary analysis is to demonstrate why the author used specific ideas, word choices, or writing structures to convey his or her message. How to Create a Literary Analysis: 1. Read the text closely several times. Focus on the ideas that are being presented. Think about the characters’ development and the author’s writing technique. What might be considered interesting, unusual, or important? 2. Brainstorm a list of potential topics. Highlight important passages in the text and take notes on these passages. Later, when writing the paper, these notes should help a writer to remember which aspects of the story caught his/her attention. The topic chosen should always be based on a writer’s interpretation of the author’s message. Here are some things a writer may want to consider when brainstorming for a literary analysis. Character: What observations might a writer make about the characters? Are there discrepancies in what they think, say, or do? Are the observations a writer makes different from what other characters say? How does the author...
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... About Literature Literary Essay Outline Sample Prof. K. Delhagen If you are having trouble with your literary essay, follow this outline. It will provide you with a solid structure for your paper. If you feel you have the basics of the essay under control, go on to the qualities of an excellent literary essay. I. First Paragraph—Introduction A. A broad statement introducing the subject in a general way in one or more sentences (this may be a statement of theme) B. A specific reference to the title and author C. Thesis statement presenting the main idea of the paper in one sentence (should reveal a plan for the paper and a “so what”) II. Second Paragraph—Body (suggestion: follow the quotation sandwich paragraph model) A. 1st point from the thesis statement — a generalization; make a claim B. Discussion C. An example or quotation to support your generalization D. Analysis and interpretation of the supporting evidence to show how it supports the generalization in your topic sentence 1. Literary element a. Example from your quotation b. Another example from your quotation 2. Another literary element 3. Another element of style E. Concluding sentence which ties this paragraph to your thesis F. Transition statement III. Third Paragraph—Body (suggestion: follow the quotation sandwich paragraph model) A. 2nd point from the thesis statement — a generalization; make a claim B. An example or quotation to support your generalization C. Analysis and interpretation of...
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...Question: 1 Abstract This paper examines the polemical issues in the application of literary theories to the field of literature and literary criticism. Out of the several modern approaches to literary criticism as employed by the critics, four literary theories are strategically chosen for analysis in this paper; Formalism, Structuralism, Post-structuralism/Deconstruction and Marxism. This work is objectively carried out by consulting articles, journals and books written on the literary theories. The opportunity of information technology via the internet is also utilized. It is established in the course of writing this paper that literary theories are indispensable tools for literature to achieve its goal of sensitizing its audience towards literary awareness. The application of literary theories to literature, that enhance better and detail insight into text or literary works, would continue to be relevant and make literature more enjoyable and meaningful to its readers and users. Further research and enquiry into the relationship between the two (literature and literary theory) is open and should further be exploited. Keywords: literary theory, literary criticism, Marxism, Formalism, Structuralism, Post-structuralism Introduction Literary criticism is the study, evaluation and interpretation of literature. Modern literary criticism is often informed by literary theory, which is the philosophical discussion of its methods and goals. Though the two activities are closely...
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...HOW TO WRITE A LITERARY ANALYSIS ESSAY The purpose of a literary analysis essay is to carefully examine and sometimes evaluate a work of literature or an aspect of a work of literature. As with any analysis, this requires you to break the subject down into its component parts. Examining the different elements of a piece of literature is not an end in itself but rather a process to help you better appreciate and understand the work of literature as a whole. For instance, an analysis of a poem might deal with the different types of images in a poem or with the relationship between the form and content of the work. If you were to analyze (discuss and explain) a play, you might analyze the relationship between a subplot and the main plot, or you might analyze the character flaw of the tragic hero by tracing how it is revealed through the acts of the play. Analyzing a short story might include identifying a particular theme (like the difficulty of making the transition from adolescence to adulthood) and showing how the writer suggests that theme through the point of view from which the story is told; or you might also explain how the main character‟s attitude toward women is revealed through his dialogue and/or actions. REMEMBER: Writing is the sharpened, focused expression of thought and study. As you develop your writing skills, you will also improve your perceptions and increase your critical abilities. Writing ultimately boils down to the development of an idea....
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...chosen three essays; Racial Profiling Argumentative Paper, Bullying Research Paper, Brave New World Literary Analysis and three pieces of process work; annotated articles, peer editing, and evidence charts, as the basis for my personal evaluation. From this work, I will reflect on what I learned about create a claim or thesis, find evidence to support my claim, write topic sentences, write relevant commentary or analysis, create a first draft that I have developed, and my strengths; MLA, evidence. I will address my academic essays, create works cited skill that I have learned, grammar and commentary where I need to improve, and I want to improve on write a relevant commentary or analysis and integrate quotes...
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...Course Title Course Code Pre- requisite Credits : : : : World Literature Lit 02 Lit 01 3 Units Vision-Mission Statement : Instructor : Email : Office : Consultation Hours: MWF Venue : Consultation Rm. I. Course Description: Socorro D. De Jesus, Ph.D. Associate Professor 1 socorro_dejesus@hotmail.com General Education Faculty Rm, 2 nd floor, St. Anselm's Building 1 The course will introduce students to the writings of persons from selected countries across the different continents of the world. Students will gain an understanding of literary concepts to be able to interpret, analyze and evaluate various genres. Furthermore, students will have the opportunity to learn and appreciate the cultural heritage that is articulated from each literary text. II. Course Objectives: At the end of the semester, the students should be able to : 1. read and understand representative literary texts from various continents in the world. 2. analyze literary texts using the various approaches in literature. 3. employ critical thinking skills. 4. appreciate the...
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...In the following paper, equality between men and women, in the late 1800 hundreds Denmark, is examined through a literary analysis of the modern play;” Et dukkehjem” by Henrik Ibsen, and through a thorough analysis of historical sources. The paper has its starting point in a walkthrough of the historical sources and their purposed in relation to the analysis of the historical period in Danish history. In the analysis of a schedule for a “normal” late 1800s family in Copenhagen the “old” way of thinking, were a man is in control, it becomes obvious that the fight for women’s liberation has its root at the base of the societal hierarchy. Later, with the analysis of a paragraph from the Women’s Liberation Society it is shown that the “old” way of thinking is slowly being outsourced by the new lifestyle of women who liberate themselves. The analysis of historical sources in the paper are later used as a foundation for the modernistic findings in the play “Et dukkehjem”. The Analysis of “Et dukkehjem” has it’s starting point in various theories of social science in relation to cultural changes and the evolution of equality between men and women. These theories are later used in the literary analysis and in the discussion. The analysis is written as an analytical essay in which the main character, Nora, is portrayed as a women living in a very traditional household with a desire to leave and find happiness on her own. The analysis comes in three parts. The main character’s view of...
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...The work consists of introduction, two chapters, a conclusion, a summary and the reference list of the works used. The first chapter deals with the theoretical notions of the text and its categories, substantiation of the tasks of text interpretation. As a result of the study of these problems we can come to the conclusion that text interpretation resting on the junction of stylistics and text linguistics is aimed at extracting, aesthetic and meaningful, emotional information from the literary text. The second chapter is concerned with the semantic and stylistic analysis of the epithet. In the work the epithet is determined as a stylistic device based on the interplay of emotive and logical meaning in a attributive word, phrase or even sentence used to characterize an object and pointing out to the reader. The epithet always has the emotional meaning or emotional color due to peculiarities of semantic structure of adjectives. For the purpose of study of linguistic nature of epithet we dwell on the problem of lexical and stylistic meaning of adjectives. The use of adjectives as epithet as preconditioned by the contact and functional characteristics that is predicativeness, stylistic churdge and liability for stylistic actualization in the context. Next undertake the study the types of epithet and its informational meaning in the text. We suggested the following classification of the epithet: conventional or standing; explanatory, metaphorical, mixed and syntactical types...
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...|[pic] |Syllabus | | |College of Humanities | | |ENG/125 Version 3 | | |Literature in Society | Copyright © 2010, 2008, 2006 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved. Course Description This course introduces themes in literature and provides guided study and practice in reflecting on themes which describe the human experience across cultural and societal boundaries. The course includes readings from literature in different genres and cultures. Students study the literature in thematic units and are asked to make connections to their own lives and cultures. Policies Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents: • University policies: You must be logged into the student website to view this document. • Instructor policies: This document is posted in the Course Materials forum. University policies are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies...
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...Literary Analysis paper Due 25 November Write a 500-word essay in MLA format analyzing Children of Heaven. Be sure to read Chapter 22 “Literary Analysis,” pages 349+. You are not organizing your essay around the plot. Instead, you are organizing it to analyze literary elements. Whereas written literature has style and tone, films have cinematography and sound, including music. For your essay map (which determines your topic sentences and body paragraphs), you may want to look at symbolism, themes, tone (sound), characters, and style (cinematography, including the planning and execution of light and color design, camera position and angle.) If you agree with Bert Cardullo (“Neorealism Iranian Style”) that the film maker subscribes to neorealism—a filmmaking style using real locations, non-professional actors, and simple straightforward stories, then you could reveal how the movie embodies these elements. Make sure that the thesis and essay map stand out as indicating a literary analysis essay and that that the three body paragraphs have clear literary analysis topic sentences. Do not begin body paragraphs with elements of plot. Instead, the topic sentences of each body paragraph should echo elements in the essay map. Also make sure that you use clear transitions, and that you have a significant conclusion. Use MLA format with in-text parenthetical citations in referring to the film itself. You may also want to use periodicals devoted to literary criticism...
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...During this course, I been leaning to write with the help of different literary devices such as visual texts or books. For two of the major assignment for this course 1301 English I used images to write a rhetorical analysis about the negative side of Facebook and with the help of a book called The Intervention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd I wrote a literary analysis. Therefore, while reviewing those essays I found there are some mistakes with the structure of the essay, there are enough examples to support the main idea, and I need to improve grammatical mistakes. For a good essay the structure should include the three main parts an introduction, body, and the conclusion. On both of my essays I include those three parts, however the thesis statement...
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...This paperwork contains ENG 125 Week 5 Final Paper Linguistics - English Final paper In this course we have explored the many meanings which literature may have for us as well as literary themes, elements, and techniques common to the forms of the short story, poetry, and drama. In class discussions and written assignments, you have also had opportunities to reflect on your individual feelings, responses, and ideas about a number of literary works. The Final Paper is intended as an exercise in bringing together, or synthesizing, your reflections on literature and your understandings of the course material. This is a comparative paper which analyzes two to three literary works from the course readings which share a common theme. The paper should be organized by a thesis (argument), which is the main point of the entire essay. When developing a thesis for a comparative paper, consider how a comparison of the works provides deeper insight into the topic of your paper. In other words, think about why you have chosen to look at these particular works in relation to one another. In your analysis, also consider the relationships among content, form, and style. For example, how are the ways in which themes and ideas are represented and communicated relevant to your reading experience and to the work as a whole? You may choose from any of the topics and works listed at the end of this assignment description. (Please note that many of the listed themes relate to more than...
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...Two sets of research will be covered in this paper first we have prevaricator, John D’Agata with his research article Lifespan of a Fact and second Rebecca Skloot book/research, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. The purpose of this paper is to detail the day and night between the two pieces, the literary analysis and the overall attitude felt by the authors. Starting off from a quote out of D'Agata's article "I'm not writing for public office. I'm trying to write something that's interesting to read.” That's D'Agata summed up in one sentence. He is merely writing for entertainment and sport. Not interested in the truth in the least but how he can bend the truth to fit his story so it sounds good. While on the other hand Skloot gives a nice story in chronological order. Not only that but she gives us history of the time period in which she is investigating. She also gives a nice genealogy of Lacks life and family. This is something not found in D'Agata's research, this is actual facts about the person being researched....
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...My literary critique on The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is focused on the confusion of the message being given to the reader do to the conscious struggle between right and wrong, an example of that would be the decision of stealing from Ms. Watson and freeing Jim, or not stealing from Ms. Watson and leaving Jim as a slave. Huck did decided that even though stealing from Ms. Watson would surely send him to “Hell” he still went with his gut and freed Jim, But with that later in the story shortly after Ms. Watsons death Huck and Jim found out that in her will she had freed Jim anyways. The ending of that situation in this story is what I choose to critique because of the cloudy message that is being given to the reader. It does not support...
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