What is a literary analysis?
A literary analysis essay will express a big idea
about theme, plot, characters, techniques such
as foreshadowing, etc.
Then it will support that idea (THESIS) in body
paragraphs that provide evidence.
When writing a literary analysis:
 Be familiar with literary terms.
“theme”
“conflict”
“POV”
“narration”
“plot”
“dialogue”
“foreshadowing”
Theme-the story’s message
• Golden lines
• Title
• How the character grows by what he learns
• Dialogue (Conversations)
Theme-the story’s message
• Golden lines
–
–
–
–
“Don’t you feel sorry for me…”
“I’m a person, like everybody else.”
“It is about ethical responsibility.”
When Charlie said that the solution is easy. He explains the “head and the
heart”.
• Title
– Flowers on Algernon’s grave is an act symbolizing Algernon’s life’s significance.
Basically, we place flowers on graves to show that the person matters and will
not be forgotten.
• How the character grows by what he learns
– Charlie learns that love is far more important than intelligence.
– Charlie learns that every life matters.
• Dialogue (Conversations)
– The last conversation Charlie and Miss Kinnian have.
Order of Operations
• Thesis
• Examples supporting thesis for “B” of body
paragraphs.
• Develop the “A” and “C” sentences of body
paragraphs.
• Write the conclusion.
• Introduce it all to your audience by writing a
strong introduction paragraph that ends with
the thesis sentence.
When writing a literary analysis:
 Be familiar with literary terms.
“theme”
The author’s use of foreshadowing propels the
“conflict”
action by creating a mood
How particular lines of dialogue propel the action
“POV”
How particular lines of dialogue reveal aspects of
“narration”
a character
How particular lines of dialogue provoke a
“plot”
decision
How incidents in the story propel the action
“dialogue”
How incidents in the story reveal aspects of a
“foreshadowing” character
How incidents in the story provoke a decision
How the characters, setting, or plot shape the
theme
How setting shapes the characters or plot
How differences in the points of view of the
characters and the audience or reader (e.g., created
through the use of dramatic irony) create such
effects as suspense or humor
How the characters and plot shape
the theme:
Thesis: In “Flowers for Algernon” by Daniel Keyes,
the theme that people may not realize that
mistreating anyone who experiences challenges is
cruel can be seen by how Charlie’s co-workers
treat him and how the dishwasher is treated at the
restaurant.
Example: “How strange it is that people of honest feelings
and sensibility, who would not take advantage of a man
born without arms or legs or eyes--how such people think
nothing of abusing a man born with low intelligence.” (54)
A. Introduces the topic by giving the necessary background
I. Introduction
B. Thesis: Introduces the topic clearly, previewing what is to follow
A. Introduce the topic by giving the necessary background. (Provide an objective summary of the text.)
B. Thesis Statement
In the (source/author), + (controlling idea) + (two-three main points that will be supported and elaborated on in the body
paragraphs).
Each body paragraph should include
A. The topic
sentence should be general include the controlling idea and main the
II. Body Paragraph
1
point. should be general include the controlling idea and main the point.
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C. The “So what?” sentence explains why it is relevant to the audience to the audience. Think of this as “Why is this relevant
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C. The “So what?” sentence explains why it is relevant to the audience to the audience. Think of this as “Why is this relevant
to me right now?” It can be a universal truth about life, people, love, friendship, human relationships (good or bad).
IV. Conclusion
A. Restate your thesis statement.
B. Remind the reader of the general ideas discussed in the essay’s body paragraphs.
I. Introduction
A. Introduce the topic by giving the necessary background. (Provide an objective summary of the text.)
B. Thesis Statement
In the (source/author), + (controlling idea) + (two-three main points that will be supported and elaborated on in the body
paragraphs).
II. Body Paragraph 1
A. The topic sentence should be general include the controlling idea and main the point.
B. Give an example: The evidence sentence may include an EXACT quote (INTEGRATED!)from the text that supports what
your topic sentence is saying. You may also paraphrase. Elaborate to explain your point and how your evidence
The essay outline should include:
supports it.
-At least two signal words transition ideas between sentences or paragraphs.
C. The “So what?” sentence explains why it is relevant to the audience to the audience. Think of this as “Why is this relevant
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second
slang,human
etc. relationships (good or bad).
to me right-Formal
now?” It can
be a universal
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-Clear and effective expression of ideas (clear meaning in sentences)
III. Body Paragraph 2
A. The topic sentence
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include
the controlling
and main the point.
-Usesshould
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C. The “So what?”
sentence explains why it is relevant to the audience to the audience. Think of this as “Why is this relevant
to me right now?” It can be a universal truth about life, people, love, friendship, human relationships (good or bad).
Conclusion
IV. Conclusion
A. Restate your thesis statement.
A. Restate your thesis statement.
B. Remind the reader of the general ideas discussed in the
B. Remind the reader of the general ideas discussed in the essay’s body paragraphs.
paragraphs.
essay’s body
How the characters and plot shape
the theme:
Thesis: In “Flowers for Algernon” by Daniel Keyes,
the theme that people may not realize that
mistreating anyone who experiences challenges is
cruel can be seen by how Charlie’s co-workers
treat him and how the dishwasher is treated at the
restaurant.
Example: “How strange it is that people of honest feelings
and sensibility, who would not take advantage of a man
born without arms or legs or eyes--how such people think
nothing of abusing a man born with low intelligence.” (54)
I. Introduction
A. Introduce the topic by giving the necessary background. (Provide an objective summary of the text.)
B. Thesis Statement
In “Flowers for Algernon” by Daniel Keyes, the theme that people may not realize that
mistreating anyone who experiences challenges is cruel can be seen by how Charlie’s coworkers treat him and how the dishwasher is treated at the restaurant.
II. Body Paragraph 1
A. The topic sentence should be general include the controlling idea and main the point.
B. Give an example: The evidence sentence may include an EXACT quote (INTEGRATED!)from the text that supports what
your topic sentence is saying. You may also paraphrase. Elaborate to explain your point and how your evidence
supports it.
C. The “So what?” sentence explains why it is relevant to the audience to the audience. Think of this as “Why is this relevant
to me right now?” It can be a universal truth about life, people, love, friendship, human relationships (good or bad).
III. Body Paragraph 2
A. Another example of this cruelty can be seen when smart Charlie witnesses glasses being
dropped by a dishwasher who is then laughed at and mocked by the people at the
restaurant.
B. The theme is shown when Charlie comments, “How strange it is that people of honest
feelings and sensibility, who would not take advantage of a man born without arms or legs
or eyes--how such people think nothing of abusing a man born with low intelligence.” (54)
C. This illustrates the idea that all people matter and deserve respect.
IV. Conclusion
A. Restate your thesis statement.
B. Remind the reader of the general ideas discussed in the essay’s body paragraphs.
I. Introduction
A. Introduce the topic by giving the necessary background. (Provide an objective summary of the text.)
B. Thesis Statement
In “Flowers for Algernon” by Daniel Keyes, the theme that people may not realize that
mistreating anyone who experiences challenges is cruel can be seen by how Charlie’s coworkers treat him and how the dishwasher is treated at the restaurant.
II. Body Paragraph 1
A. The topic sentence should be general include the controlling idea and main the point.
B. Give an example: The evidence sentence may include an EXACT quote (INTEGRATED!)from the text that supports what
your topic sentence is saying. You may also paraphrase. Elaborate to explain your point and how your evidence
supports it.
C. The “So what?” sentence explains why it is relevant to the audience to the audience. Think of this as “Why is this relevant
to me right now?” It can be a universal truth about life, people, love, friendship, human relationships (good or bad).
III. Body Paragraph 2
A. Another example of this cruelty can be seen when smart Charlie witnesses glasses being
dropped by a dishwasher who is then laughed at and mocked by the people at the
restaurant.
B. The theme is shown when Charlie comments, “How strange it is that people of honest
feelings and sensibility, who would not take advantage of a man born without arms or legs
or eyes--how such people think nothing of abusing a man born with low intelligence.” (54)
C. This illustrates the idea that all people matter and deserve respect.
IV. Conclusion
A. Restate your thesis statement.
B. Remind the reader of the general ideas discussed in the essay’s body paragraphs.
I. Introduction
A. Daniel Keyes’ “Flowers for Algernon” is about a man named Charlie who is intellectually challenged that undergoes a
surgery to gain artificial intelligence. When Charlie becomes smart, he realizes he has been the target of undeserving
cruelty.
B. Thesis Statement
In “Flowers for Algernon” by Daniel Keyes, the theme that people may not realize that mistreating anyone who
experiences challenges is cruel can be seen by how Charlie’s co-workers treat him and how the dishwasher is treated
at the restaurant.
II. Body Paragraph 1
A. Charlie’s naïve nature makes him vulnerable to undeserving cruelty by his co-workers, Joe and Frank.
B. This can be seen when Joe says, “I ain’t laughed so much since we sent him off for the newspaper that night at
Muggsy’s and ditched him.”(43)
C. The author shows the reader this in order to communicate that people can be cruel to those who they think may not
understand and thus not stand up for themselves creating sympathy in the reader for Charlie and anger toward the
co-workers.
III. Body Paragraph 2
A. Another example of this cruelty can be seen when smart Charlie witnesses glasses being dropped by a dishwasher
who is then laughed at and mocked by the people at the restaurant.
B. The theme is shown when Charlie comments, “How strange it is that people of honest feelings and sensibility, who
would not take advantage of a man born without arms or legs or eyes--how such people think nothing of abusing a
man born with low intelligence.” (54)
C. This illustrates the idea that all people matter and deserve respect.
IV. Conclusion
A. Daniel Keyes communicates the theme of cruelty toward people who are naïve because of their intellectual challenges
in “Flowers f or Algernon.”
B. He shows Charlie’s co-workers’ abusiveness and then show Charlie’s ability to understand and comment on how wrong
it is helping the reader understand the message that all people are deserving of integrity and respect.
Daniel Keyes’ “Flowers for Algernon” is about a man named Charlie who is intellectually
challenged that undergoes a surgery to gain artificial intelligence. When Charlie becomes smart,
he realizes he has been the target of undeserving cruelty. In “Flowers for Algernon” by Daniel
Keyes, the theme that people may not realize that mistreating anyone who experiences
challenges is cruel can be seen by how Charlie’s co-workers treat him and how the dishwasher is
treated at the restaurant.
Charlie’s naïve nature makes him vulnerable to undeserving cruelty by his co-workers, Joe
and Frank. This can be seen when Joe says, “I ain’t laughed so much since we sent him off for the
newspaper that night at Muggsy’s and ditched him.”(43) The author shows the reader this in
order to communicate that people can be cruel to those who they think may not understand and
thus not stand up for themselves creating sympathy in the reader for Charlie and anger toward
the co-workers.
Another example of this cruelty can be seen when smart Charlie witnesses glasses being
dropped by a dishwasher who is then laughed at and mocked by the people at the restaurant.
The theme is shown when Charlie comments, “How strange it is that people of honest feelings
and sensibility, who would not take advantage of a man born without arms or legs or eyes--how
such people think nothing of abusing a man born with low intelligence.” (54) This illustrates the
idea that all people matter and deserve respect.
Daniel Keyes communicates the theme of cruelty toward people who are naïve because
of their intellectual challenges in “Flowers f or Algernon.” He shows Charlie’s co-workers’
abusiveness and then show Charlie’s ability to understand and comment on how wrong it is
helping the reader understand the message that all people are deserving of integrity and respect.