How to Write: A Literary Analysis Para.

How to Write:A Literary Analysis Paragraph : 

How to Write:A Literary Analysis Paragraph

Parts of a Literary Analysis Paragraph : 

Parts of a Literary Analysis Paragraph Assertion = bread Context = cheese Evidence = sauce Commentary = meatballs Concluding sentence = bread 7-12 Sentences

Assertion : 

Assertion Point you wish to make Should be clear & confident Mini-thesis Purpose, intent, main idea Debatable Idea of substance 1 Sentence

Context : 

Context Parts just before & after a passage that determine its meaning You can set the context by: telling part of the plot referring to a key word or words alluding to a character Introduce in the assertion sentence or in the sentences that follow 1-3 Sentences

Evidence : 

Evidence A quote from the text which proves the assertion Choose wisely! Must: support your assertion must help you prove your point 1-3 Sentences

Commentary : 

Commentary Your personal opinion, response, reaction, or reflection Synonyms include: Analysis Interpretation Insight Evaluation Explication Discussion 3+ Sentences

Commentary Continued : 

Commentary Continued Analysis which relates both the assertion & the evidence Clarify or extend the evidence Never create redundancy Make connections for your readers 3+ Sentences

Commentary Continued : 

Commentary Continued Difficult skill to master All the opinions & interpretations must come from you Try beginning with: “The reader understands that…” “The reader learns that…” 3+ Sentences

Commentary Continued : 

Commentary Continued Your comments are your chance to help the reader see what you see! You want to explain how the particular passage helps you understand the writer’s purpose! 3+ Sentences

Concluding Sentence : 

Concluding Sentence Revisit/summarize what has already been said Do not add new information The purpose of the concluding sentence is to: Reiterate the main point developed by the body sentences Signal the reader that this is the end of the paragraph 1-2 Sentences

Concluding Sentence Continued : 

Concluding Sentence Continued Should accomplish one (or more!) of the following: Rephrase the topic sentence Summarize by referring to the key points Draw a conclusion Offer a final observation Make a prediction 1-2 Sentences

Put It All Together! : 

Put It All Together! Slim illustrates the theme that people can earn respect through their respectful actions towards others. Slim receives the respect of the other men on the ranch by drawing them in and listening to them in a manner that makes them feel comfortable: “His ear heard more than was said to him, and his slow speech had overtones not of thought, but of understanding beyond thought” (34). When Carlson leaves to shoot Candy’s dog, Slim reminds Carlson to “take a shovel” because Slim knows that the dog is Candy’s dear companion and believes Carlson should show respect to their relationship by burying the dog (48). By displaying his concern for Candy’s feelings, Slim gains the admiration of the other men. His actions illustrate to the reader that people should earn respect not through power and intimidation but through care and compassion for others. Just as Slim pays attention to the needs of those around him even though they are not his close friends, people in society who look to put others first can earn esteem through the manner in which they treat others. Color assertion context evidence Key commentary concluding sentence

Review : 

Review Assertion = bread Context = cheese Evidence = sauce Commentary = meatballs Concluding sentence = bread 7-12 Sentences