8B LA: Mrs. Swaninger
Independent Reading Book
Literary Analysis: Quarter 2, Book 1
This novel is
a hoot…
A literary analysis is not a summary of a literary work. Instead, it is an argument about the
work that expresses your interpretation, perspective, and evaluation of the work. You are
arguing that your perspective is a valid one. Throughout your essay, you should demonstrate your
understanding of the question through characters, setting, plot, theme, author’s purpose, etc.
In each body paragraph:
1) Use evidence from the text
2) Cite your evidence
3) Analyze what the evidence means
4) Analyze how the evidence helps prove
your thesis
1. Think about your novel and choose a prompt.
(Pick a different prompt than you used in Quarter 1.)
Choose ONE:
Do not merely summarize the plot…
an·a·lyze (verb)
1. study something closely: to examine
something in great detail in order to
understand it better or discover more
about it
2 .break something down into
components: to find out what something
is made up of by identifying its
constituent parts
3 .examine structure: to study the
structure of something or how its
constituent parts are put together
Character Traits
In a literary work, a minor character, often known as a foil, possesses traits that emphasize, by contrast
or comparison, the distinctive characteristics and qualities of the protagonist. Choose one minor character
who serves as a foil in your novel. Analyze how:
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the behavior of the foil highlights the strengths or weaknesses of the protagonist
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the behavior of the foil highlights the motivation of the protagonist
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the relationship between the minor character and the protagonist contributes to the meaning of the work
Conflict
Select the antagonist of your novel. In a well-developed essay, analyze the nature of the character’s villainy:

Show how the conflict enhances meaning in the work (theme).
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Show how this conflict shapes the protagonist
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Show how the author uses this conflict to guide the plot and outcome of the story
Point of View
Examine the POV of your novel. Defend the author’s rationale for choosing this prospective by analyzing:
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How the narrator enhances the meaning of the novel:
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How the narrator creates reader’s connections to the characters, plot, and theme of the novel.
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How differences in the points of view of the characters and the audience/reader, created
through the use of dramatic irony, produces suspense or humor
Author’s Style
Explore the author’s use of figurative language ( irony, simile, analogy, allusions, personification, etc. ) and
discuss the influence and impact its usage has on the novel’s meaning and tone.
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figurative language example #1
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figurative language example #2
and how it impacts meaning and tone
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figurative language example #3
Theme
Determine a theme or central idea of the text and analyze its development over the course of the novel
including its relationship:
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Characters
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Setting
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Plot
2. Write a strong thesis. A strong thesis will state the topic and your opinion. You should have
three reasons or examples that support your thesis.
3. Use evidence from the text. Use specific examples and quotations from the text to support
your thesis and topic sentences. Make sure you interpret the evidence. Do not summarize!
4. Use the five-paragraph essay format. In your introduction, begin with an attention
grabber and a brief summary of the literary work. Be sure to include the title and author of the
work. Your thesis statement will be the last sentence of your introductory paragraph. You will
have three body paragraphs. Each body paragraph will have a topic sentence (a major reason of
support for your thesis), concrete details/examples (evidence from the text),
commentary/explanation (comments on and explains importance of the example you have
chosen…make sure to refer back to your thesis), and a concluding sentence that transitions to
the next paragraph. In your conclusion, write your final thoughts and reconnect to your thesis.
5. Revise. Before turning in your analysis, ask yourself these questions:
 Did I include the title and author in my introduction?
 Is the thesis clearly stated in the first paragraph?
 Do I have three reasons/examples that support my thesis?
 Is the third-person point of view used/formal tone?
(Use the narrator or the reader instead of you, I. Avoid using I think, I feel)
 Have I used present-tense when discussing the work?
 Have quotation marks been used around direct quotations?
 Did I use in-text citations in each of my body paragraphs?
 Have clear transitions been used between sentences and paragraphs?
 Have I used MLA formatting?
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Typed
12 point
Times New Roman
double spaced
paragraphs indented
last name, page number flush right on every page
MLA heading (name, instructor, class, date)
title centered and 12 pt Times New Roman (no bold, no underline)
title of novel is italicized
in-text citations
Works Cited
6. Proofread and Publish. Proofread your work for grammar, punctuation, spelling, format
errors. I highly recommend reading your paper out loud or have someone read it aloud to
you. Make any necessary changes.
7. Use the Holistic Rubric to predict your score. (If you don’t have your copy, please find one on my website).
8. Turn your work in ON TIME and in the CORRECT FORMAT!
9. Hurray! You did it! 