The Literary Analysis Essay: An Introduction
What is a literary analysis essay?
You would write a literary analysis when you read a piece of literature and you see something
in the text that most other people would not notice. You then state your discovery in a thesis
and prove that your discovery is true through the support in your body paragraphs.
What should you look for while reading?
The literary elements! Look for how the author uses diction, syntax, figurative language,
symbolism, etc. to prove a bigger point. Remember to read carefully because you want to see
the things that aren’t obvious to every reader.
What does a literary analysis thesis look like?
The thesis/claim of a literary analysis essay is usually set up something like this:
In the story [title of story], the author uses [literary elements or some other technique] to show readers
that [whatever it is that the author was trying to prove using the literary elements].




In “The Lottery,” Shirley Jackson effectively uses symbolism and irony to reveal the
theme that traditions that have lost their meaning can still move people to abnormal and
thoughtless actions.
In the novel The Secret Agent, Joseph Conrad uses beast and cannibal imagery to mirror
the corruption that he saw in every level of twentieth-century London society.
Through setting and plot, the author of “The Contents of a Dead Man’s Pockets” seems
to suggest that a man’s family relationships offer more security and are more important
than success in business.
In “Strawberry Spring,” Stephen King uses repetition, syntax, and diction to foreshadow
the ending of the story in such a way that the readers become accomplices in hiding the
truth from themselves.
How do you support your claim?
First of all, you must read the text very carefully and very critically, meaning that you read it
more than once and for more than just the storyline. It helps to make notes about the literary
elements in the story as you read it a second or third time. Then, as you find examples in the
text, you will work them into the body paragraphs of your essay. Remember, a body paragraph
should follow this format:

Topic Sentence: What is this paragraph going to be about? (Do not use a question!)


Evidence: Use examples that are well explained in your own words. A literary analysis
should include direct quotes from the story. Only use quotes that relate to the point
of this paragraph, and always explain them immediately afterward. Never assume that
your reader will understand why you included a certain quote; you must tell them.
Always include your reasoning that ties your evidence to your claim.
Reasoning/Warrant: Explain how your evidence supports your claim.
What is the structure of a literary analysis essay?
Introduction:
 First 1-2 sentences: Start with interest. State the genre, title, and author of the story.
(Note: Attention grabbing is not as essential in this type of essay).
 Give a brief summary of the plot of the story, but assume your reader has read it
before. You are just refreshing it for them and leading into your thesis.
 Last sentence (or so): Thesis statement/claim.
Body:
 Each body paragraph should focus on one main point of your thesis.
 All body paragraphs need a topic sentence, evidence, and reasoning/warrant.
 Evidence should include quotations from the book that illustrate this point.
Conclusion:
 Beginning: Restatement of the claim.
 Middle: Summary of main points discussed in your essay and your interpretation of
them.
 Do not introduce any new points in the conclusion.
 End: You make a short evaluation; is the theme (or whatever it is you discovered and
proved) correct and true to life? This evaluation can be either positive or negative.
What are some special rules for writing a literary analysis essay?
 Discuss the story in present tense, not past tense.
o YES: Fortunato is dressed like a jester and has been drinking heavily.
o NO: Fortunato was dressed like a jester and had been drinking heavily.
 Write your paper in 3rd person point of view (no “I think” or “In my opinion”).
 The first time you mention the author of the story, use his or her full name. After that
use his or her last name only.
 Any quote from the story must be copied word for word and put in quotation marks.
Do not use more of the quote than you need; in other words, if the sentence is three
lines long but you are only focusing on two words from it, only include the two words
and the few surrounding it that will put it in context. You do not need the whole
sentence
.
Adapted from http://www2.moundsviewschools.org/irondale/userfiles/clemsonn/honors%209a/lit%20analysis%20explanation%20sheet.pdf