essay

Literary Analysis Template: Option One – Using Outside Critical Sources

Opening Paragraph

Hook: First sentence of the essay should be something interesting to catch the reader’s attention. It can be an observation about the text, a short anecdote related to the story, or simply an introduction that says the name of the work, the author, and something important about the text.

1.

Contextual Background : The next 2-3 sentences of the essay should discuss the theme of the essay, what led you to notice and select that theme, perhaps give a couple of facts about the work, and then introduce briefly what kinds of evidence you plan to use in support of that theme.

2, 3, & 4.

Thesis Statement : The last sentence of your opening paragraph should clearly state your theme and at least three points that you plan to make in support of your argument why that theme should be read according to your particular interpretation in that work. Name the critical lens that you plan to use also.

5.

Second Paragraph and/or Major Point 1 Group :

Topic Sentence : This paragraph should open with a sentence of explicitly stated opinion about what you believe is the MOST important supporting point that you want to make about your interpretation of the theme that you have selected in the work.

6.

Example Scene and Quotation : Next, you should spend 2-3 sentences describing and explaining a sample scene from the work that illustrates the point you are trying to make. At least one of those sentences should utilize a direct quote from the work itself to “tie” your discussion to the text.

7, 8, & 9.

Critical Opinion and Analysis : If you are using outside critical sources to support your argument about this point, then add 2-3 additional sentences here that describe, directly quote, and analyze that particular point. Conclude this section by directly comparing the critic’s view with your own.

10, 11, & 12.

Third Paragraph and/or Major Point 2 Group :

Topic Sentence : This paragraph should open with a sentence of explicitly stated opinion about what you believe is the SECOND MOST important supporting point that you want to make about your interpretation of the theme that you have selected in the work.

13.

Example Scene and Quotation : Next, you should spend 2-3 sentences describing and explaining a sample scene from the work that illustrates the point you are trying to make. At least one of those sentences should utilize a direct quote from the work itself to “tie” your discussion to the text.

14, 15, & 16.

Critical Opinion and Analysis : If you are using outside critical sources to support your argument about this point, then add 2-3 additional sentences here that describe, directly quote, and analyze that particular point. Conclude this section by directly comparing the critic’s view with your own.

17, 18, & 19.

Fourth Paragraph and/or Major Point 3 Group :

Topic Sentence : This paragraph should open with a sentence of explicitly stated opinion about what you believe is the THIRD MOST important supporting point that you want to make about your interpretation of the theme that you have selected in the work.

20.

Example Scene and Quotation : Next, you should spend 2-3 sentences describing and explaining a sample scene from the work that illustrates the point you are trying to make. At least one of those sentences should utilize a direct quote from the work itself to “tie” your discussion to the text.

21, 22, & 23.

Critical Opinion and Analysis : If you are using outside critical sources to support your argument about this point, then add 2-3 additional sentences here that describe, directly quote, and analyze that particular point. Conclude this section by directly comparing the critic’s view with your own.

24, 25, & 26.

Fifth and Final Paragraph :

General Summation : In the first sentence of your conclusion, return to your original theme and three points. Restate your general argument in a more succinct way.

27.

Future Applications and Implications : Next, use 2-3 sentences to suggest to your reader an answer to the “ So What ?” question, of why your interpretation of this theme is relevant not only to understanding this work, but also to the bigger picture of their lives and other works of literature that they might read. Consider supporting this answer with one short, well-chosen quote from the work or criticism consulted.

28, 29, & 30.

Take-Away Point : In one sentence of 20 words or less, make one memorable statement that readers can use to remember something that you consider crucial to comprehending the work. Make it catchy.

31.

Literary Analysis Template: Option Two – Comparing and Contrasting Film and Text

Opening Paragraph

Hook: First sentence of the essay should be something interesting to catch the reader’s attention. It can be an observation about an essential difference between the Film and the Text, a short anecdote related to the general story used in both, or simply an introduction that says the name of the work and author, and something important about the two.

1.

Contextual Background : The next 2-3 sentences of the essay should discuss the theme of the essay, what led you to notice and select that theme, give a couple of examples about why this theme is depicted different in the text versus the film, and then introduce briefly what kinds of evidence you plan to use in support of that theme and your opinion on those differences.

2, 3, & 4.

Thesis Statement : The last sentence of your opening paragraph should clearly state your theme and at least three points that you plan to make in support of your argument why that theme should be read differently in the film as opposed to the text. Name the critical lens that you plan to use also.

5.

Second Paragraph and/or Major Point 1 Group :

Topic Sentence : This paragraph should open with a sentence of explicitly stated opinion about what you believe is the MOST important supporting point that you want to make about your interpretation of the theme that you have selected in either the original text or the film adaptation.

6.

Example Scene and Quotation : Next, you should spend 2-3 sentences describing and explaining a sample scene from the text or film that illustrates the point you are trying to make. At least one of those sentences should utilize a direct quote from the work itself to “tie” your discussion to the text.

7, 8, & 9.

Compare/Contrast and Analysis : Then, provide an alternative discussion of the text or film for that same scene. Next, add 2-3 additional sentences here that describe, directly quote, and analyze that particular point. Conclude this section by directly comparing/contrasting which showed the theme best.

10, 11, & 12.

Third Paragraph and/or Major Point 2 Group :

Topic Sentence : This paragraph should open with a sentence of explicitly stated opinion about what you believe is the MOST important supporting point that you want to make about your interpretation of the theme that you have selected in either the original text or the film adaptation.

13.

Example Scene and Quotation : Next, you should spend 2-3 sentences describing and explaining a sample scene from the text or film that illustrates the point you are trying to make. At least one of those sentences should utilize a direct quote from the work itself to “tie” your discussion to the text.

14, 15, & 16.

Compare/Contrast and Analysis : Then, provide an alternative discussion of the text or film for that same scene. Next, add 2-3 additional sentences here that describe, directly quote, and analyze that particular point. Conclude this section by directly comparing/contrasting which showed the theme best.

17, 18, & 19.

Fourth Paragraph and/or Major Point 3 Group :

Topic Sentence : This paragraph should open with a sentence of explicitly stated opinion about what you believe is the THIRD MOST important supporting point that you want to make about your interpretation of the theme that you have selected in either the original text or the film adaptation.

20.

Example Scene and Quotation : Next, you should spend 2-3 sentences describing and explaining a sample scene from the text or film that illustrates the point you are trying to make. At least one of those sentences should utilize a direct quote from the work itself to “tie” your discussion to the text.

21, 22, & 23.

Compare/Contrast and Analysis : Then, provide an alternative discussion of the text or film for that same scene. Next, add 2-3 additional sentences here that describe, directly quote, and analyze that particular point. Conclude this section by directly comparing/contrasting which showed the theme best.

24, 25, & 26.

Fifth and Final Paragraph :

General Summation : In the first sentence of your conclusion, return to your original theme and three points. Restate your general argument about the text versus the film in a more succinct way.

27.

Future Applications and Implications : Next, use 2-3 sentences to suggest to your reader an answer to the “ So What ?” question, of why your interpretation of this theme is relevant not only to understanding this text and film, but also to the bigger picture of their lives and other works of literature or films that they might read and view. Consider supporting this answer with one short, well-chosen quote from the text or film discussed.

28, 29, & 30.

Take-Away Point : In one sentence of 20 words or less, make one memorable statement that readers can use to remember something that you consider crucial to comprehending the differences between the text and film adaptation. Make it catchy.

31.