literary analysis essay
1 ENG102 ESSAY TOPIC LIST 1. Compare and contrast the significance of the blanket in “The Blanket” by Floyd Dell and the bracelet in “The Bracelet” by Yoshiko Uchida. 2. Compare and contrast the use of the literary element of “Plot Twist” or “Surprise Ending” in “Johanna” by Jane Yolen and “A Secret for Two” by Quentin Reynolds. 3. Compare and contrast the roles of Lucille in “The Woman” by Zona gale and Nathalie in “The Kiss” by Kate Chopin. 4. Compare any theme of any of the stories studied in class with either a political or social event. Describe the event so that someone who is not familiar with it could understand your argument. Give at least three specific examples from BOTH the text and the event to show how they relate to each other in your opinion. 5. Select one of the stories studied in class. Look at the year this story was written/published. Discuss the story through this historical context (in what ways does the story represent that time period). Give at least three examples to prove your point. Also, does the story have a different effect for us reading it in today's time and perspective? 6. Think about the main characters any of the stories studied in class. Which character do you personally identify with the most? Explain why. Give at least three examples from both the story and your personal life to prove your argument. Then, in contrast, discuss in what way(s) you do not identify with this character. 7. Think about the main characters in the story. Which character do you personally identify with the least? Explain why. Give at least three examples from both the story and your personal life to prove your argument. Then, in contrast, discuss in what way(s) you do identify with this character. ENGLISH 101 ENGLISH 102 Composition and Literature UNDERWOOD UNIVERSITY Today’s Class Introductory Paragraphs Body Paragraphs Concluding Paragraphs Introductory Paragraphs What is an introduction? The first paragraph of an essay It catches the reader’s interest It provides essential background about the literary work. It must include the author and title of the work. It provides the thesis statement of the essay. Introductory Paragraphs Hook: General background: Thesis statement Hook General Background Thesis Introductory Paragraphs The Hook: get the reader interested in the general topic. Interesting facts or statistics A snatch of dialogue between two characters A meaningful quotation A universal idea A rich, vivid description of the setting Introductory Paragraphs Interesting facts or statistics Nearly two hundred citizens were arrested as witches during the Salem witch scare of 1692. Eventually nineteen were hanged, and another was pressed to death (Marks 65). Introductory Paragraphs A snatch of dialogue between two characters “It is another thing. You [Frederic] cannot know about it unless you have it.” “Well,” I said. “If I ever get it, I will tell you [priest].” (Hemingway 72). With these words, the priest in Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms sends the hero, Frederic, in search of the vague “it” in his life. Introductory Paragraphs A meaningful quotation (from the story you are analyzing or another source) “To be, or not to be, that is the question” {3.1.57}. This familiar statement expresses the young prince’s moral dilemma in William Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Introductory Paragraphs A universal idea The terrifying scenes a soldier experiences on the front probably follow him throughout his life—if he manages to survive the war. Introductory Paragraphs A rich, vivid description of the setting Sleepy Maycomb, like other Southern towns, suffers considerably during the Great Depression. Poverty reaches from the privileged families, like the Finches, to the Negroes and “white trash” Ewells, who live on the outskirts of town. Harper Lee paints a vivid picture of life in this humid Alabama town where tempers and bigotry explode into conflict. Introductory Paragraphs General Information Author Title Main Characters A short summary Introductory Paragraphs Thesis Statement Provides the subject and overall opinion of your essay. It is usually, but can be more than, one sentence long. It should include two parts: 1)WHAT: What claim are you making about the text? 2) WHY: Why is your claim important? Body Paragraphs Contain information to support the thesis statement (usually 3 body paragraphs) Topic sentence Textual evidence 1 Explanation Textual Evidence 2 Explanation Concluding Sentence Body Paragraphs Topic sentence: the first sentence of a body paragraph. It identifies one aspect of the thesis and states a primary reason why the thesis is true. Example: When he first appears in the novel, Sidney Carton is a loveless outcast who sees little worth in himself or in others. Body Paragraphs Textual Evidence: a specific example from the work used to provide evidence for your topic sentence (can be a combination of paraphrase and direct quotation from the work) Example: When Carlton and Darnay first meet at the tavern, Carlton tells him, “I care for no man on this earth, and no man cares for me” (Dickens 105). Body Paragraphs Commentary: explanation/interpretation of the textual evidence (what the author means, how the evidence proves the topic sentence). Example: Carton makes this statement as if he were excusing his rude behavior to Darnay, but her is only pretending to be polite, perhaps to amuse himself. With this seemingly off-the-cuff remark, Carton reveals a deeper cynicism and his emotional isolation. Body Paragraphs Concluding Sentence: last sentence of the body paragraph. It concludes the paragraph by tying the textual evidence and commentary back to the thesis. Example: Thus, before Carton experiences love, he is able to convince himself that the world has no meaning. HINT: Repeat the topic sentence in different words. Concluding Paragraphs Last paragraph in your essay. Restatement of the thesis Restatement / summary of the 3 main points of your essay Final statement about why your thesis is important.