When you write about literature, you make a claim about the text and prove that claim by using direct and indirect textual support. Remember, as we reviewed in class, your claims need to have specific references to the novel. The richer the references, the better.
What is analysis?: “To analyze something is to ask what that something means. It is to ask how something does what it does or why it is as it is.”
Analysis requires breaking a subject into its constituent parts, but it involves more than that; analysis also involves determining the relationship between these parts between each other and to the whole.
The writer analyzes in order to bring about a better understanding of something. In some cases, the analysis is a means of supporting a point, a controlling idea, conclusion, interpretation, request for action, plan, etc. So, to answer the question “Why is it that Lady Macbeth and not Macbeth descends into madness?,” you need to analyze the play to develop a deeper understanding about her character. You then offer that analysis to your reader.
Analysis is different from judgment: judgment or evaluations generally have little significance about the subject, but reveal more about you and your preferences. “I loved Twilight” is a very different statement than “Twilight is popular because it allows adolescent girls to have a romantic fantasy.” One is a statement of preference; the other, a statement of analysis.
Analysis involves asking questions such as What does this mean?
What is the significance of this detail?
What does this pattern mean?
What else might it mean?
When you analyze, you begin with questions rather than preconceived notions or obvious answers. Avoid descriptive or summary questions like “what” and use questions involving “how” or “why”. Always ask yourself “So what?” What is the significance of your topic?
In our discussions in class, we have talked about the world Doria lives in, about how she copes with the reality of the world, and about how she changes as goes through this year in her life. We have spent time in class discussing the character of Doria and analyzing her experience. We have talked about the obstacles she faces, the ways she copes, and the strengths she has. We have talked about the elements of her character and her life that support her change and those that do not. She is a different young woman at the end of the novel than she was at the beginning. Here is your chance to put together all our conversations and all your thinking about the novel.
For a final essay, you are to think about all these elements . Here is the question:
How would you characterize the change Doria goes through? Formulate the answer this way: She moves from WHAT to WHAT? To answer the question, you need
1) to identify the major change you think Doria goes through in the year depicted in the novel;
2) to find specific textual details to prove your claim about her; your notes on Doria should provide much textual support;
3) to organize the details to support your point.
The essay should include an introduction: the introduction should use a symbol, image, or metaphor from the novel as a starting point:
A "C" essay must have at least 6 specific relevant references to the novel (two from the beginning, two from the middle, and two from the end) and at least three quotes.
A "B" essay must have a least 9 specific relevant references to the novel (three from the beginning, three from the middle, and three from the end) and at least five quotes.
An "A" essay must have at least 12 specific references to the novel (four from the beginning, four from the middle, and four from the end) and at least six quotes.
The essay should also include a conclusion.
Your work will be evaluated on the following:
the clarity and complexity of the point;
the accuracy and completeness of the textual support;
your knowledge of the novel;
the depth of the analysis and the range your interpretation goes beyond class discussion;
the organization of the writing;
the effectiveness of the writing;
and the command of writing conventions.
A complete rubric is available on the website.
Length of the response should be at least three pages of double spaced 12 point type.
Audience: teenagers who have read the novel.
Under no circumstances are you to use any source for this essay outside of your reading of the novel and our class discussion. The thinking is this essay is to be your own. Absolutely.