Paper details:Literary Analysis Guidelines

Consider representative literary elements such as setting, style, tone, and character as you “closely read” assigned literary works, i.e., short stories, poems. (Locate short stories online. For “Blue Winds Dancing,” see copy posted on eCampus.) “Close reading” involves rereading. When we reread literary works, we observe meaningful patterns that support the link between, for example, character development and setting. Such meaningful patterns provide a basis for in depth analysis. For this paper, students will use two literary elements in an analysis of two literary works listed on the syllabus. (Feel free to include the poems, “The Victims” by Sharon Olds and “the mother” by Gwendolyn Brooks.) Like any analysis, writers strive to highlight aspects of stories that readers typically overlook. For example, if a literary element of interest is “character,” then one might analyze the barely audible voice of a minor character rather than the sonorous voice of the central character.

Whether “character” or “style,” your thesis statement will forecast the direction of your analysis. Do not simply retell the story. Instead, present a thesis statement with an argumentative edge. (Highlight with bold print). Use details from two literary works to demonstrate how ideas in your analysis relate to your thesis statement and selected literary works. Details from literary works (textual details), ideas of others (scholarly secondary sources), and your unique perspectives should convince readers that your argument is worthy of consideration. Considering audience, be sure to use conventions that clearly distinguish textual details, your ideas, and the ideas of others. Integrate ideas from at least two *scholarly secondary sources, but remember that your ideas matter. Your voice must dominate throughout this paper.

Prior to completing a Draft, read “Sample Student Analysis 1” and “Sample Student Analysis 2” posted on eCampus. Observe how the writer (Analysis 1) maintains present tense while analyzing the story (“Maupassant emphasizes . . .” and “Mathilde endures . . .”). Also, pay particular attention to the well-defined thesis statement and how it provides a framework for the paper. Although “Sample Student Analysis 1” includes no secondary sources, your paper will include MLA source documentation conventions such as signal phrases (According to Andrew Bennett, . . . ) or parenthetical notes (Bennett 160). Both conventions clearly distinguish secondary source ideas and your ideas. Look closely at ideas presented in “Sample Student Analysis 2,” for this paper adheres more closely to our guidelines. Although neither paper is perfect, both reflect literary analysis.

Draft Literary Analysis

Upload a draft Literary Analysis (including the Works Cited page) to your Group File Exchange for peer review and to the Assignment link for the instructor’s review. Double space all pages. Include page numbers. Use a 12 to 14-point font. The draft Literary Analysis should consist of 400-500 words (including the Works Cited page).

Final Literary Analysis

Upload the final Literary Analysis (including Works Cited page) to the Safe-Assignment link after reviewing feedback from peers and instructor. Revise and edit carefully. Double space all pages. Include page numbers. Use a 12 to 14-point font. The Final Literary Analysis should consist of 800-1000 words (including the Works Cited page).

REMINDER: See Assignment Calendar for due dates.

*To locate scholarly sources, access Academic Search Complete database on the Richland College Library website. Wikipedia, Shmoop Editorial Team, and Sparknotes are not scholarly sources.