Sample Analytical Sentence Outline- AP Literary Analysis Paper
Remember, the first steps are to create essential questions, then gather evidence to help support your answers to the questions. Try to
focus on 4-5 questions and then decide one to focus on as your main topic. Each question may become a body paragraph topic. Once
you’ve settled on a topic, you can list categorical subtopics (body paragraphs) that will support your thesis. Your thesis is also a
working thesis, where you will need to revise or update as your write. Topic sentences also need to transition from the previous topics.
Thesis: To truly show the corruption of the Medieval society of England, Chaucer gives voice to various
characters from different social classes using a satirical and sometimes critical tone that is developed through
his use of irony and humor.
Paragraph 1: Wife of Bath
Topic Sentence: The “Wife of Bath’s Tale” shows the corruption of knights and the underlying
problems of the chivalric code.
Evidence: (Include quotes from primary AND secondary sources)
-Knight raped a girl
-Woman has power and sends out knight on a quest- reversal
-The knight gets what he wants in the end with a loyal and beautiful wife- hyperbole
Paragraph 2: Knight’s Tale
Topic Sentence: As an almost redemptive rebuttal of the focus of the “Wife of Bath’s Tale”, “The
Knight’s Tale” displays the skewed focus of the members of his society, who care more about money and
victory in battle than true love or individuals’ desires.
Evidence: (Include quotes from primary AND secondary sources)
-Theseus builds giant arena for the battle
-Arcite prays to Mars for victory (ironically wins but does not get the girl)
-Emily doesn’t get her wish for chastity and is told to marry
Paragraph 3: Merchant’s Tale
Topic Sentence: Also dealing with the issues in medieval relationships, “The Merchant’s Tale” displays
the lack of respect in marriage due to the societal practice of arranged marriages built on status instead of love.
Evidence: (Include quotes from primary AND secondary sources)
-May cheats on January in a Pear Tree
-January is “blind” to see May’s true nature because he picks her for her looks
-Damien does not respect his elders due to the forced marriage of May and January
Paragraph 4: The Summoner’s Tale
Topic Sentence: An additional target of Chaucer’s satire, in “The Summoner’s Tale”, is the church, due
to the corruption of the friar, supposedly working for the church, but really working for money for himself.
Evidence: (Include quotes from primary AND secondary sources)
-Friar preaches about greed and anger to a man who shows neither characteristic
-Friar is not intelligent, trying to share a fart amongst multiple other friars
-Friar commands wife to feed him and take care of him in a selfish manner
You get the idea?