How to use literary terms in an essay

What are literary terms? : 

What are literary terms? And how do we use them in our literary analysis papers?

Literary Terms : 

Literary Terms Literary Techniques Symbolism Irony Figurative Language Literary Elements Theme Characterization Structure Point of View These are just a few. There are tons.

Introduction : 

Introduction Below is the outline I gave you: Title, Author, Genre Two literary elements that __________________ uses in their works are _______________ and __________. Example: The book Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez is a work of fiction. (What relevant information could be put here to extend the length?) Two literary elements in the novel are the theme of honor and the use of simile.

Slide 4: 

But do not limit yourself, spice up your writing a little bit, but still include all the relevant information: Gabriel Garcia-Marquez is living with cancer and under lock and key for his own protection in his own country. However, he is also the literary master who wrote the novel The Chronicle of a Death Foretold. This novel is the story of two brothers who reveal the theme of honor through their actions, and this novel also shows Garcia-Marquez’s skillful use of language through simile and foreshadowing.

Incorporating Literary TermsInto Your Writing : 

Incorporating Literary TermsInto Your Writing First, find a literary term in what you are reading Theme of honor In The Chronicle of a Death Foretold

Second, identify the lit. term in your essay : 

Second, identify the lit. term in your essay The first literary element used in the story was the theme of honor.

Third, prove that your identification is correct by using examples from the text : 

Third, prove that your identification is correct by using examples from the text This theme is shown through the Vicario brothers. The brothers kill Santiago Nasar because he allegedly devirginized their sister. The brothers’ quote, “There’s no way out of this, it’s as if it already happened”(70), shows that they had to kill him for their sister’s and their family’s honor. No one in the town questions the boys about their plans of murder because they understand the importance of restoring honor. (What relevant information could be put here to extend the length?)

Fourth, explain why or how the lit. term is being used to benefit the work : 

Fourth, explain why or how the lit. term is being used to benefit the work The author uses this theme to show why the brothers are so intent on murder, why the townspeople barely question the thought of murder, and how important honor is to a person or family in general. This is good parallel structure!

Now do it all again : 

Now do it all again Another literary element used in this novel is a simile. This is shown in the sentence, “When he grabbed her by the wrist with a hand that felt frozen and stony, like the hand of a dead man”(13). This simile is used in the story because it is known from the beginning that Santiago Nasar will be murdered. This sentence further shows the looming air of death around Santiago and how everyone knew that the Vicario brothers were planning on killing him. It was as if he were already dead. The author uses this simile to foreshadow Santiago’s death. (What relevant information could be put here to extend the length?)

Slide 10: 

Add a conclusion and you’re almost done! Gabriel Garcia Marquez uses the theme of honor and a simile as literary elements in his novel. My personal opinion of this work is that it was a very well written piece of journalistic fiction. Marquez’s style of writing and the way he portrayed the events of Santiago’s death was thoroughly interesting and very saddening because everyone knew he was going to be murdered.

Slide 11: 

Do not forget to include your source at the end of the paper Marquez, Gabriel Garcia. Chronicle of a Death Foretold. Trans. Gregory Rabassa. New York: Knopf, 2003.