Literary Analysis
Literary analysis asks you to interpret a literary work and argue a particular understanding of it from your perspective. In fact, the scope of a short paper may allow you to interpret only some smaller aspect of the entire work, such as plot, character, point of view, setting, theme, or audience. Other aspects of literary analysis can include combinations of images, language, metaphors, and symbols. Rather than ask, what do/does _______ mean? Approach the text or some aspect of the text, what do/does_________do? And how do/does work?
Remember you are not writing a review. Your purpose is not to tell your reader whether you liked the work or not, convince the reader that the text is good or bad or, or write a summary. Your literary analysis should include:
A brief presentation of the literary work- identifies the work and its author. If necessary to your argument, place the work into some kind of context (within the author’s entire body of work or within a particular literary era or genre). Avoid summarizing the plot.
A coherent interpretation- this is your central idea, the main point you wish to make about the text (or some aspect of the text), and is usually stated in the thesis statement. Without this focal point, the essay is just an accumulation of ideas about the work, rather than a coherent, reasoned analysis of the work.
A reasonable argument – is supported by textual evidence; though called a literary analysis this writing task actually asks you to argue for an interpretation by pointing to important details in the work – your primary source of evidence, and explaining their significance. Since the language of literature is so suggestive, you will need to point to particular words or group of words in the text and explain what these words mean to you. Outside critical, biographical or historical sources can provide additional insight and support. Remember, that disagreements over interpretations are productive, often leading to deeper understanding of the text.
Clear pattern of organization- your writing should be clear and direct while providing forecasting and transitions to keep your reader oriented.
