1. Choose a story from the Norton Introduction to Literature and read or re-read it.

Example: I liked the story “Good Country People” ; I’ll read it again.

I like” The Elephant in the Village of the Blind

2. React personally. What aspects of the story do you seem to be most affected by? You should look at more than one aspect. Example: I find when I look at how I reacted in my journal to this story, what I really liked about it was the way the plot developed. I was really surprised at the climax – when Manley took Hulga’s leg and left her stranded. It was funny yet sad at the same time

3. Determine the theme of the story. What is the main point? HINT: Try to complete this sentence: This story argues that … Example: One theme is that people are often not what they appear to be on the outside (Manley). Also, people are often not who they really think they are (Hulga, Mrs. Hopewell).

4. Connect #2 & 3: How do you see this aspect and the theme relating? Example: The theme is that people are often not as we expect them to be. The plot illustrates or supports this theme because the plot did not develop as I expected it to. At the climax, Manley shows that he is not “good country people,” and Hulga learns that she is not as smart as she thinks she is.

Now BRAINSTORM on this connection.

5. Devise a Thesis statement (one sentence): literary element(s) to be analyzed and the approach or direction of the analysis.

Example Thesis:

Through the use of dynamic characters and setting, Chopin celebrates the strength of women and illuminates the necessity of women to be free in a male-dominated society.
In “A Rose for Emily,” Faulkner uses symbolism, foreshadowing, and suspense to criticize the Southern aristocrats’ inability to accept change during and after the Industrial Revolution.
A formula for the most basic analysis thesis could look something like this:

In (“Title of Short Story”), (Author’s name) uses (1st literary device), (2nd literary device), and (3rd literary device) to (show/criticize/explain/etc.) (Theme).

6. Re-read the story again looking specifically at your chosen aspect. Find places in the text where you see this aspect relating to the theme.

Example: Unstable situation – “Mrs. Hopewell thought of [Joy] as a child though she was thirty-two years old and highly educated” (105). “Mrs. Hopewell likes to tell people that Glynese and Carramae were two of the finest girls she knew and that Mrs. Freeman was a lady and that she was never ashamed to take her anywhere or introduce her to anybody they might meet” (105). Rising Action: Mrs. Hopewell is finding it hard to stick to her “clichés”: „“Won‟t you stay for dinner? We‟d love to have you!‟and was sorry the instant she heard herself say it” (111). Hulga maintains her superiority to others: “[Manley] crossed the highway and said, „I knew you‟d come!‟

7. Evaluate the material you have developed. Do you have enough for a three-page paper? If yes, determine the working thesis of your essay and move on to step 7.

Example: In O‟Connor‟s short story “Good Country People,” the plot and its unexpected climax are essential to supporting the theme of people are not often what they seem, even to themselves. If no, you do not have enough material for a full paper, return to step 2 and find a second aspect to focus on.

8. Impose order to your findings. What is the most logical and compelling way to present your material? Some natural guides for order:

• Chronological (if dealing with a chronological plot) • The order of the story • Cause and Effect • Build an argument, starting with the least compelling evidence and building to the most impressive point.

If you are discussing more than one element of the story, which should go first? Do you want to start with the main focus and present the other(s) as supporting material? Or do you want to start with the more obvious material and build to the most interesting and insightful? These are stylistic choices you need to make. Make an outline.

Example:

I. Introduction

A. Introduce the story – Basic PLOT of the story (summarize what happens)

B. Present Thesis: The characterization methods, symbolism, and foreshadowing create and reinforce that people are often unable or unwilling to see people, including themselves, as they truly are.

II. Characterization (or any other literary element)

How the character is revealed
The change of the character
III. Symbolism (or any other literary element)

First symbol
Second symbol
IV. Foreshadowing (or any other literary element)

First example of foreshadowing
Second example…
V. Conclusion

9. Write the body of the essay. Put your thesis in front of you as you lay out your argument as quickly and as fully as possible. Do not worry about an introduction as this time.

The substance of each of your developmental paragraphs (the body of your essay) will be the explanations, summaries, paraphrases, specific details, and direct quotations you need to support and develop the more general statement you have made in your topic sentence.

10. Read over your essay as a whole. NOW write the introduction to your essay. The introduction to your literary analysis essay should try to arouse interest in your reader. To bring immediate focus to your subject, you may want to use a quotation, a provocative question, a personal anecdote, a startling statement, or a combination of these. You may also want to include background information relevant to your thesis and necessary for the reader to understand the position you are taking.

In addition, you need to include the title of the work of literature and name of the author.

11. Re-read and Edit. Make sure every point you make is supported with evidence. Make sure all quotes are set up and explained. Make sure that everything that you are saying ultimately supports your thesis.

12. Write the conclusion of your essay. Your literary analysis essay should have a concluding paragraph that gives your essay a sense of completeness and lets your readers know that they have come to the end of your paper. Your concluding paragraph might restate the thesis in different words, summarize the main points you have made, or make a relevant comment about the literary work you are analyzing, but from a different perspective.