Spring Semester Literary Analysis

Spring Semester Literature Analysis

Each student must complete two Literature Analyses this semester, and may do up to two extra. (each additional L.A. will be worth 50 points, not to exceed 100 points) You may not do a literary analysis on Dante's Inferno, Frankenstein or A Doll House.

LITERATURE ANALYSIS QUESTIONS

Please answer the following questions about the book you selected. 

Make sure to provide appropriate examples to support your ideas.

Author/Title

1.       Genre 

2.       Historical information about the period of publication if applicable

Looking Closer at a Character

1.       Five fun facts about the character

2.       Three questions you would like to ask this character

3.       What would the character recommend for you to read? Why?

4.      Describe two examples of direct characterization and two examples of indirect characterization.  Why does the author use both approaches, and to what end (i.e., what is your lasting impression of the character as a result)?

5.       After reading the book did you come away feeling like you'd met a person or read a character?  Analyze one textual example that illustrates your reaction.

Meeting the Author

1.       If you could meet the author, three questions you would ask the author? Why?

2.       What gift would you give the author? (Think of something that would be meaningful to them)

3.       A picture of the author and an image that reflects their accomplishments, things they are known for, era, etc.

Tone

1.       Describe the author's tone. Include a minimum of three excerpts that illustrate your point(s).

Creating your own analysis of the novel

1. Identify a question about the book that could drive a paper, i.e. What was the author trying to accomplish in writing this novel? Why?; Why does the author use such complex characters and what purpose does it serve? In the end, did Beckett shape my views on man’s purpose? Does Beckett really accomplish anything? Etc…..

2. Create a thesis or assertion about the novel (answer the questions above) using our complex thesis formula to answer the question.

Although clause, (other words work just as well here – despite,  admittedly, notwithstanding, granted, in spite of, etc.)
assertion clause;   (what do you believe to be true and why)
therefore, (other words work just as well here - so that, with the result that, thus, consequently, hence, accordingly, for this reason, so, because, since, due to, as a result, in other words, then, finally, consequently, in short, as a result, accordingly, for this purpose, to this end, with this in mind, with this purpose in mind.)
call to action.  (this needs to be to all, society, individuals, we (collectively).