Literary Analysis Research Paper



Literary Analysis Research Paper

As with the shorter practice essays, this essay will analyze the theme of the literary work. The purpose of the essay is to prove the validity of your interpretation of the work’s theme through use of specific argumentation strategies, textual evidence, and secondary support. Your paper should meet the following requirements:

1. Introduction – grabs the reader’s attention in a meaningful way before transitioning smoothly into background information

• Provides information about the author and basic plot of the work

• Introduces theme ideas by defining terms if necessary or discussing your understanding of how the ideas are universally significant

• Introduces any specific literary theory that the paper will utilize

• Directly states the thesis statement – theme of work

2. Body paragraphs – prove the argument of the thesis using argumentative subtopics, primary textual evidence, and secondary support. You should have 4, and each one should analyze a different character. You must use at least 3 different critical articles.

• Topic sentence (in body 1 & 3) – universal subtopic of theme

• Mini-topic sentence (in all bodies) – subtopic of topic + specific character (still an argument, not just a statement of plot incident)

• Context for primary quote – who, what, where, when, why in the novel

• Primary quote smoothly embedded in context and cited – this quote should actually prove the mini-topic argument, what you are saying about the character and, thus, about all mankind. Avoid quotes that are tangentially related but not actually proof. Imagine you are presenting this argument in court – would a jury buy it?

• Analysis of primary evidence – HOW and WHY does this quote prove the arguments? Start by explaining what the quote means. Then, discuss how that meaning is significant to the argument in the mini-topic, then the topic, then the thesis. Now step outside of the novel and discuss the universal implications – what is the author saying through this character? What does he/she want the reader to think about people in general?

• Secondary quote smoothly embedded into analysis and cited – try to combine it with an idea of your own. This quote should be related to your argument, but doesn’t necessarily have to directly address your primary quote. It should be something you can apply to your own argument as back up or something you can disagree with in a significant way. It must be related to your overall argument in some way.

• Analysis of secondary quote – Again, start by explaining what the quote means. Then, discuss how that meaning is significant to your argument. This one does not have to relate to all 3 levels (mini, topic, thesis), but you must tie it to one of them clearly.

• Clincher/transition – close the paragraph by referring back to the main topic. Then, transition to the next paragraph by comparing/contrasting this character or main topic idea to that of the next paragraph.

3. Conclusion – Restate the thesis in a different and interesting way. Then, discuss one or more of the following:

• Why did the author believe this to be true of humanity? Was there something in his/her life that led to this understanding?

• What does this theme mean about humanity? If it is a negative evaluation of man (Man is inherently evil, for example), what is the point? Does the author think we should just all give up? Is there something else he/she is implying that we can do as humans to improve our condition? If it is a psychological interpretation of human motivation, then does the author mean for it to be inescapable? (For example, will insecurity always make man behave rashly, or is there some kind of remedy?)

• Address the literary theory you introduced in the introduction. What does it mean now? Did the author think of the novel in this way? Is it useful to look at it in this way? What purpose might it serve? (For example, why bother with an existential interpretation? What do we learn from this?)

• Expand on the idea from your hook. Use that idea to refer the reader back to the original point and create a fluid organization.

4. Works Cited – Follow correct MLA format. You cannot always just copy the citation from the end of the article on the Literature Resource Center. These are sometimes missing important information, such as the original citation information (see first page of article next to SOURCE) or author.

• Alphabetical order by first word in entry (usually author’s last name)

• Double space

• Hanging indent

• Header with page numbered as last in essay

• Center the words Works Cited on the first line

• Don’t forget the primary source

• Double check to be sure that every entry on the Works Cited is cited in the paper and that every source cited in the paper has a matching entry on the Works Cited.

5. You must include process steps when you turn in the final draft. These will include at least the following:

• Outline

• First body paragraph with instructor and peer feedback

• Complete rough draft with peer feedback

• Complete copies/printouts of secondary articles

• Final draft should not be the same as the rough draft. Edit! Make changes!

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