Writing a Literary Analysis Essay
How to Write a Thesis Statement for an Essay
The first thing you need to know is “What is an argumentative literary analysis essay?”
An argumentative literary analysis essay makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim with specific
evidence. The goal of the argumentative paper is to convince the audience that the claim is true based on the
evidence provided.
The second thing you need to know is “What is a thesis”?
A thesis is a sentence or two in your paper that tells your reader the focus of your essay and specifically what
your essay will be about.
Your thesis should be:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Very specific
At the end of your introductory paragraph
Easy to locate
Exactly what you are writing about
The answer to the question asked
An argument about the question and a complication of that argument by showing an opposing
idea
g. A preview of the rest of your paper – ie. how you will support your argument
Example: BAlthough Juliet begins to distrust Friar Laurence when he gives her the potion in Act
4 Scene 1, Athere is significant evidence to suggest that Friar Laurence is a trustworthy
character because C1he married Romeo and Juliet in secret and made strong attempts to 2help
Romeo come back to Verona after being banished and 3to help Juliet avoid an unwanted
marriage to Paris.
A. The answer to the question
B. What complicates the answer / perhaps a counterargument
C. How you will support and answer your questions
1. The first example in the text or piece of evidence
2. The second example
3. The third example
*NOW WRITE YOUR OWN THESIS FOR THE PROMPT YOU CHOSE IN YOUR
PACKET
Your Body Paragraphs
A body paragraph is a paragraph that supports the thesis with both evidence and
analysis. That means it should include a quote from the text (Romeo and Juliet),
an explanation of the quote, and how it supports your thesis. You will have three
(3) body paragraphs in your paper supporting your thesis - which is your answer to
the question. Your body paragraphs should be similar to a three-part response but
instead of disconnected answers to different questions, these responses are all
answering the same question and each of them have to connect to the other.
If you remember from the activity, a three-part response includes:
1. A sentence that restates the question and gives a brief answer.
2. A sentence that introduces, includes, and cites a quote from the text to
support your answer. (Try not to use more than 4-5 lines.)
3. A sentence that explains how the quote supports your answer.
In your paper, think of your body paragraph in a similar way only now:
1. This sentence is an explanation of your quote – What is this quote saying?
2. This sentence is an analysis of your quote – How does this quote support
both the main idea of this paragraph and your thesis?
3. Your last sentence is a concluding sentence that connects the main idea of
your paragraph to your thesis and to your next paragraph
*SEE THE EXAMPLE ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE THEN FILL IN THE BOXES TO
WRITE EACH OF YOUR BODY PARAGRAPHS IN YOUR PACKET.
Throughout the play, Friar Laurence has seemed to be supportive of Romeo and Juliet’s love. Why would Juliet begin
to distrust the Friar?
THESIS: Although Juliet begins to distrust Friar Laurence when he gives her the potion in Act 4
Scene 1, there is significant evidence to suggest that Friar Laurence is a trustworthy character
because he married Romeo and Juliet in secret and made strong attempts to help Romeo come
back to Verona after being banished and to help Juliet avoid an unwanted marriage to Paris.
Topic Sentence: This is your main idea of this paragraph – one sentence, connects to thesis, introduces the rest of the
paragraph (so what piece of evidence you will be discussing)
Friar Laurence is a trustworthy character because he married Juliet to Romeo in secret even though he knew their parents
would not approve.
*use your thesis to help you write your topic sentence!!!
Quote: A sentence that introduces, includes, and cites a quote from the text to support your thesis and this specific
paragraph.
Friar Laurence decides to marry Romeo and Juliet because, “this alliance may so happy prove / to turn your households’
rancor to pure love” (II.iii.98-99).
*make sure you introduce your quote and properly cite it!!!
Explanation: An explanation of your quote – What is this quote saying?
Friar Laurence is saying here that he believes Romeo and Juliet should get married because he thinks it is a way for the
two families to settle their differences and put an end to their long-lasting hostile relationship.
*rephrase the quote in your own words – try not to do this for more than a sentence.
Analysis: An analysis of your quote – How does this quote support both the main idea of this paragraph and your thesis
This means that Friar Laurence had significant motivation to marry Romeo and Juliet. He may not truly believe that they
are in love after only knowing each other a short while, but he does believe that their marriage is for the greater good.
This makes him trustworthy for Romeo and Juliet because he not only has their best interests in mind, but he also has
motivation within himself to help them.
*this should NOT be a summary. You want to look for the deeper meaning behind the text and what this means
for the characters overall as well as your thesis.
Concluding Sentence:
Friar Laurence shows that he is trustworthy by marrying Romeo and Juliet but also by later providing Romeo with a plan
after he was banished.
*you need to connect this paragraph to both your thesis and the next paragraph. This is a very important
sentence because it is your TRANSITION sentence that makes your paper flow in a cohesive way.
*MY NEXT PARAGRAPH WILL THEN BE ABOUT HOW F.L. PROVIDES A PLAN FOR ROMEO.