Literary analysis is an argumentative essay that is supported by primary text and, optionally, by secondary texts.
"Why?" (3)
to better understand
"For Whom ..." (3)
those who are familiar with the primary text
Approaches: Explication, Analysis (5-7)
"Proving Your Point (10-12)
"your object ... to convince ... that your understanding of a work is valid and important and to lead [your reader] to share that understanding" (10)
proof: "how the work, or element you are discussing, does what you claim it does ...
proof of the sort [your readers] can duplicate ...
the process of inference, analysis, and deduction that has led to your conclusions" (11)
requires "development of ... reading and writing skills ...
responsible interpretation of the work and of the way it achieves its effect ...
precisely how it communicates its meanings" (11)
"demonstrate that your method of analysis is valid by providing persuasive proof of your major point or points" (12)
"Writing the Paper" (12-15) and "Writing In-Class Essays or Essay Tests" (15-16)
list ideas ...
"select connecting ideas relevant to your problem or subject ... formulate thesis" (13)
choose textual support
"write as if you are presenting the truth" (14)
"Don't give summaries ... unless you need to do so to support a point" but don't assume that " a summary will make a point" (16)
"Be specific. Prove your point with facts - named characters, specific actions, concrete details of plot, and even paraphrases or quotations" (16)
"Introducing Quotations" (16-23)
http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/litweb10/writing/E1a-rules-to-follow.aspx
"Documentation" (23-31)
Single source: The literary text
Complete, intial documentation follows first mention of the text being discussed.
Example needed.
Multiple sources: Text plus
Sources are documented in-text and with a Works Cited
First mention of text: Introduce the text with author's name and "context"
Use in-text parenthetical citation
Note appropriate use of page number, line number, act.scene.line number for literary text
See http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/02/
"Stance and Style" - as a means of persuasion (32-34)
"Avoid first person pronouns" (32)
and never use second person
"Write about the work"
"focus is not on a writer using a device ... but the result of that selection" (33)
present and analyze details that are "praiseworthy"(34)
"Writing About Literature." Arp, Thomas R. and Greg Johnson. Perrine's Literature: Structure, Sound, and Sense. 11th ed. Boston: Wadsworth, 2012. 1-58.
Resource:
Tompkins, J. Case. "Writing in Literature." OWL: Purdue Online Writing Lab. 21 Apr. 201o. Web. 15 Aug. 2011.
Link: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/713/1/
See related links - and associated subtopics at the OWL site:
Literary Terms
Literary Theory and Schools of Criticism
Writing About Fiction
Writing in Literature (Detailed Discussion)
Writing About Poetry
Image in Poetry
Poetry: Close Reading
Writing About Literature
Overview and specifics
http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/litweb10/writing/welcome.aspx
For lecture notes about the process: