literaty analysis essay PLEASE READ

MIAMI DADE COLLEGE

ENC 1102: English Composition II

Essay 3: Writing a Literary Research Paper

The type of research paper required in most sophomore literature courses is generally referred to as a literary analysis research paper because its focus must be on an element of the literary work’s construction as a piece of literature—for example, an element such as the work’s characters or conflict or symbolism or theme, or perhaps two or more related literary elements [such as the interrelated elements of conflict development and theme, or symbolism’s contribution to the creation of theme(s)].

It would not focus on such ideas as the author’s life (biography), the historical events and beliefs of the period in which it was written (historical and/or sociological aspects of the work), or psychoanalysis of the characters (psychology), as these are not elements of literary analysis, though passing reference to one or more of these is usually acceptable.

“The Story of an Hour” p. 48 and “The Yellow Wallpaper” p. 64

1. Write an essay that analyzes the use of irony and imagery to discuss the role of women and their self-identity.

· Female identity/selfhood

· Liberation

Shakespeare’s Sonnets 116 and 127

2. Discuss the theme of love in the sonnets. Do the young man sonnets express a different ideal of love than the dark lady sonnets? Is the ideal of love described in Sonnet 116—without which the speaker “never writ, nor no man ever loved”— constant throughout the sonnets?

“Everyday Use” by Alice Walker p.310 and “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid p. 355

3. Analyze the writers’ use of symbolism and imagery to discuss the theme of cultural identity and heritage in both texts. Compare/contrast their views on the topic.

· Family items, thoughts and traditions

· African American culture

“America” by Claude McKay p. 520 and “We Wear the Mask” by Paul Laurence Dunbar p. 502

4. Analyze the writers’ use of extended metaphor to discuss racial prejudice and the struggle for equality in each poem. Compare/contrast their views on the topic.

“The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson p. 216

5. Write an essay that attempts to prove to The Lottery’s characters that their continued

following of this particular tradition is morally, ethically, and scientifically unsound.

Let's take a look at some literary research paper outline example:

1. Create the thesis statement - inform the reader of the overall reason for your research paper. It is a statement of the main points in your paper.

2. Structure of the research paper.

· Introduction - Topic of what to expect or read about

· Body - Main points of argument, ideas.

· Conclusion - Elaboration and clarification of points included in the body