Literary Analysis Instructions:
Analysis Essay should reflect basic ENC 1101 writing skills with a precise and debatable thesis.
A thesis answers the “So what” can I tell my readers that they don’t already know from reading
the work of literature. Using the writing guidelines for analysis set forth in Part 4 of your
textbook, select any literary work assigned for the semester and construct a literary analysis
(minimum 750 words). Consult the sample essays in the text and on Blackboard as well as
"writing tips" posted on Blackboard.
Minimum: 750 Words; 1 Primary Source (the story, poem, etc.) and 1 Secondary Source.
This analysis essay should be based on any of the literature studied so far. Analysis Essays
should reflect basic ENC 1101 writing skills with a precise and debatable thesis. A thesis
answers the “So what” can I tell my readers that they don’t already know from reading the work
of literature. Using the writing guidelines for analysis set forth in Part 4 of your textbook, select
any literary work assigned for the semester and construct an analysis (minimum 800
words). Consult the sample essays in the text and on Blackboard as well as "writing tips" posted
on Blackboard.
A literary analysis should not merely repeat or echo the introductory material in the literature
anthology. Nor should it summarize the literature read. Rather, in the response, you should
apply, query, reflect on, relate, etc. the literary material you have read.
Topics to avoid are assumptions that the author controls reader's responses or that all readers
read alike and respond in some predictable way. Just avoid focusing on the reader of the
literature because that is a distraction from a focus on the literature.
Another topic to minimize is the biography of the author. Many lived interesting lives and are
interesting topics to write about, but the author is not the literature, so a focus on the author's life
or assumptions about their thoughts or intentions in the literature is also a distraction.
Back up generalizations by specific references to the literary texts you are discussing. Rather
than trying to cover everything (doing so will inevitably lead to superficial and overly general
treatment) you will be better off focusing your analysis around a topic or point that emerges in
one or two of the assigned texts. Move beyond discussions of the plot. Refer to events only to
illustrate a point or to provide an example for the thesis or focus of the paper.
Essays will be evaluated on the depth of insight they show and on your well-integrated
application of the terms and topics addressed in posted class discussions, in Internet links posted
within the course, and in the background portions of your texts.
Essays will also be evaluated on a rubric that values logical structure and structural integrity that
maintains and supports a consistent focus or thesis in the paper. They must demonstrate your
thoughtful consideration of and reflection on the literature read for class, as well as accurate
research method.
Content and Development
Points Earned
65 Points
65/ points
Additional Comments:
All key elements of the assignment are
covered in a substantive way.
•The paper is focused on one of the
textbook’s works.
•An introduction and a thesis statement
•A body with supporting evidence and intext citations
•A conclusion
A Work Cited/References page
The content is comprehensive and accurate
The literary analysis is based on the work
cited in paper. You used textual support
to prove your thesis. The paper is
between 750 and 1000 words.
The introduction provides sufficient
background on the topic and previews major
points.
The conclusion is logical, flows from the body
of the paper, reviews the major points, and
summarizes.
Readability and Style
Points Earned
10 Points
10/
Additional Comments:
Sentences are complete, clear, and concise.
Sentences are well constructed, strong, and
varied.
Sentence transitions are present and maintain
the flow of thought.
.
Mechanics
Points Earned
25 Points
25/
Correct use of MLA citations.
Correct use of MLA references.
Additional Comments:
MLA formatting, including all materials.
Total
Points Earned
100 points
100/ points
Overall Comments: