How To Write a Literary Analysis Essay
1. Find a theme in your literary piece.
A. If you are unsure how to find a theme in your literary piece, I recommend turning to Youtube to find the theme in the text.
2. Develop a thesis from the theme you have chosen.
A theme must have a debatable topic or stance you can defend using evidence from the text.
3. Make sure the topic sentences in your body paragraphs relate to and support your thesis.
Attached is a PowerPoint and a KeyNote detailing each step above. Below is what will be found on the first slide.
For Example:
First - analyze and understand the information (story) given to you- something that doctors, lawyers, nurses, engineers, coaches, teachers, actors, etc., do regularly. These are comprehension questions and class discussions.
Second - you must make your conclusion based on the information you have been given. THIS IS YOUR THESIS/THEME.
Third – you must provide evidence for the chosen theme and DEFEND IT. These are quotes from the story AND YOUR ACADEMIC OPINION.
Keynote and Powerpoint - Please be sure to download the appropriate file
Attached is a rubric that describes what the final essay should look like.
There is also a transition words chart that would be a helpful reminder for the students to have.
Another possible use is to modify it by deleting a few words and having the students fill in the blanks together or alone as a quiz.
If you found any of the materials helpful, please feel free to leave a comment or share it with other instructors.
I appreciate it.