Literary Analysis - Body Paragraphs: Format

Question 1

literary anaylisis

Answer 1

• the process of deconstructing or taking apart a piece of literature to find its themes and the techniques the author uses to reveal those themes.

Question 2

thesis

Answer 2

• Element -Topic Sentence
• Evidence –textual data supporting topic
• Explanation –how evidence proves the thesis
• The Thesis Statement is supported by the Topic Sentence, which is supported by the Evidence from text, which is supported by your Explanation of that evidence.
• your statement of the author’s theme that you made in your introduction paragraph.

Question 3

elements

Answer 3

• the devices or techniques the author uses to reveal theme. These become the topic sentences and the driving force of your body paragraphs. You will address only one element per body paragraph.

Question 4

evidence

Answer 4

• the data from the text that shows the elements the author is using

Question 5

explanation

Answer 5

• your explanation of how the evidence supports your topic

Question 6

Example 1: Finding literary elements

Answer 6

• Elements Saki uses to build theme in “The Interlopers”:
• Irony – (paragraph will show how irony builds theme)
• Symbols – (paragraph will show how symbols build theme)
• Character development – (paragraph will show how character development builds theme)

Question 7

Example 2: Crafting a topic sentence

Answer 7

• Irony – how irony builds theme (i.e., how it supports the thesis). Having selected a literary element to discuss, we can now write our topic sentence.
• Sample topic sentence:
  Saki’s use of irony helps push his belief that the mantra of ‘better late than never’ is not always so true.

Question 8

Example 3: Building a body paragraph

Answer 8

• Add Evidence: In literary analysis, make frequent pivots back to the text, which is your evidence. Mix up how you present your evidence. Use these options:
• direct textual evidence (direct quote)
• paraphrased material
• Include Explanation: Now you must explain how irony builds theme. This explanation tells the readers what they are supposed to see and proves your thesis. Vary your explanation between these two approaches:
• Your explanation can come directly after each quote (alternating method) OR
• Your explanation can follow a large amount of evidence.