Body Paragraph 3: Theme Exploration
Tracing and tracking features in a story requires a system of sticky notes, highlighters, pencils, and a notebook for notes and ideas. Try focussing on the element given in the prompt and only track that element. A sound system of close reading will help the reader look for links between different parts of the story.
Also keep an eye out for imagery in the text—recurring images that create a certain atmosphere or symbolize something important. Remember that language is used in literary texts to say more than it means on the surface.
Is it a first-person narrator (“I”) who is personally involved in the story, or a third-person narrator who tells us about the characters from a distance?
Don’t overlook details in the story: everything is relevant!
The thesis statement of any essay is the general idea of your essay. For a literary essay, the thesis statement should be in line with the prompt or question that you were given. If there’s a question that needs answering, the thesis statement could be the answer to that question. If there’s something that should be commented on, the thesis statement should point towards those comments.
Consider the narrator’s perspective. Is the narrator omniscient (where they know everything about all the characters and events), or do they only have partial knowledge? Are they an unreliable narrator who we are not supposed to take at face value? Authors often hint that their narrator might be giving us a distorted or dishonest version of events.
The purpose of a literary analysis essay is to delve deeply into a literary work, examining its various elements and uncovering layers of meaning beyond the surface narrative. Through critical analysis and interpretation, this type of essay aims to illuminate the themes, characters, settings, and literary devices employed by the author, offering insights into their intentions and the broader significance of the text. By dissecting the nuances of the work, a literary analysis encourages readers to engage with literature on a deeper level, fostering a richer understanding of the human experience, societal issues, and the complexities of language and storytelling. Ultimately, the essay serves as a platform for readers to explore and appreciate the artistry and impact of literature while honing their analytical and critical thinking skills. When you have time, study our guide regarding , which will shed light on more important academic writing aspects.
The tone of the text is also worth considering. Is the story intended to be comic, tragic, or something else? Are usually serious topics treated as funny, or ? Is the story realistic or fantastical (or somewhere in between)?
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The thesis statement is still malleable, and the writer should always check whether the content of the essay still fits the thesis statement and adjust the thesis statement if necessary.
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With poetry, consider how the rhyme and meter shape your understanding of the text and your impression of the tone. Try reading the poem aloud to get a sense of this.
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After close reading and formulating a thesis statement, the next step is creating an outline. An outline is the blueprint of your essay and figures as a guide when writing the essay.
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The outline can have any structure or form the writer finds fit, but the more structure the outline has, the better the structure of the final essay will be.
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In a play, you might consider how relationships between characters are built up through different scenes, and how the setting relates to the action. Watch out for dramatic irony, where the audience knows some detail that the characters don’t, creating a double meaning in their words, thoughts, or actions.
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Each body paragraph should cover one idea or one thought that should fit the topic sentence. An outline can be a scaffold to achieve this, making checking whether this is achieved easier.
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Your thesis in a literary analysis essay is the point you want to make about the text. It’s the core argument that gives your essay direction and prevents it from just being a collection of random observations about a text.