Literary analysis essay

English 112

Spring 2020

Expectation for Writing the Literary Analysis Essays

● Read directions (the prompt) carefully before you start

● Limit the introduction to three to four sentences and the conclusion to two to four sentences

● Use the present tense throughout when writing a literary analysis essay

● Avoid basic plot summary, that is, begin the paragraph with a specific issue that the rest of the paragraph builds and supports (see power point presentation on Writing Literary Analysis Essay posted on Blackboard)

● Watch out for “hanging quotes”

● Use block quotes for quotes of five or more lines

● Give quotes/paraphrases to support your claims, that is, the ideas mentioned in the thesis sentence

● Use the last name(s) of the character(s), not the first when referencing characters in your analysis

● Use transition words and/or phases between paragraphs and among the ideas in your sentences

● Use literary elements in the selection to drive the analysis, that is, do not refer to your personal experience – see power point presentation on Writing Literary Analysis Essay

Below is a list of moral issues that surfaced in the two selectins for essay one:

Moral Issues in “Invisible Man and “A Summer Tragedy”

Suicide/Mercy Killing (euthanasia)

Identity Crisis

Human Rights

Self Esteem

Civil Rights

Unjust Laws

Human Dignity