Literary Analysis Body Paragraph

Literary Analysis Body Paragraph

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6 Types of Sentences

• Topic Sentence

• Establish Context

• Indirectly Integrated quote

• Quote Analysis:

• Character Analysis:

• Thematic Analysis:

Literary Analysis Essay

Prompt: In The Outsiders, we are presented with 4 main themes throughout the story. You will need to examine these themes in greater detail by producing a literary analysis essay which answers the prompt below.

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Essay Question: What is the author’s message about the thematic topic?(stereotyping, growth & understanding, importance of family, & senselessness of violence)

Whole-Class Example

As a class, we will be writing a body paragraph about stereotyping in The Outsiders. We will be using the quote below for our example.

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"Marcia's number. Probably a phony one, too. I must have been outa my mind to ask for it." (46). ​

Outsiders Literary Analysis Example

Topic Sentence Example​

Stereotyping Darry as cold and uncaring impacted Ponyboy's ability to appreciate the sacrifices Darry has made for Ponyboy and prevented Ponyboy from understanding that Darry does really love and care about him.​

Topic Sentence

• Goal (Copy this): In 1-2 Sentences restate and provide a clear answer to the question. A topic sentence requires you to identify a specific event that represents a larger theme or message.

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• A topic sentence requires you to identify a specific event that is symbolic of a larger theme or message.

• Specific event: Two-Bit throws throwing away Marcias phone number

• Broad Context: Be sure to describe which theme is being addressed and the ramifications (result) of the event.

Multiple Select

What must be included in your topic sentence? MARK ALL THAT APPLY

• Clear identification of which theme you are discussing.

• Explaining how/why your answer is correct

• Restatement of the question

• A clear answer to the question

What to include in a topic sentence

• Specific event (Example from the book): Ponyboy describes Darry as cold, not human, and says that Darry would stick him in a boy's home if he could. (42).

• Lager Theme (Topic Sentence): Stereotyping Darry as cold and uncaring impacted Ponyboy's ability to appreciate the sacrifices Darry has made for Ponyboy and prevented Ponyboy from understanding that Darry does really love and care about him.

Literary Analysis Body Pragraph

Topic Sentence Example

Open Ended

With your group try to create a topic sentence for the question below. When submitting your response include the names of your group members before your response ex: Jerry and Steve

What is the authors' message about the effects of stereotyping?

Topic Sentence - Example

Example (Copy): In The Outsiders, S.E. Hinton discusses the effects of stereotyping and the way that stereotyping can prevent people develop an understanding of or relationship with someone.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is describing the goal of a Topic sentence?

• Restate and directly answer the question you have been asked.

• Explain how the quote helps reveal the character's thoughts/beliefs/feelings about something or someone.

• Explain what the quote means and connect the quote to your answer in the topic sentence.

• Find proof directly from the text that proves/supports your topic sentence.

• Set up the quote for your reader, provide background information and/or plot summary that leads into a quote,

Establishing Context

Goal: In 2-3 sentences transition from topic sentence to your quote. Establishing context requires you to explain the background or situation that led the character to make the statement that you are using as a quote.

• Characters in the Scene: Which characters are being discussed in the quote?

• Summary of the Events: Explain what happened in the story that led to the quote.

• Character Background/Relationship: What needs to be known about these characters for the audience to understand the quote?​

Multiple Select

What should you include when establishing context? (MARK ALL THAT APPLY)

• The names of the characters in the quote.

• A summary of what happened before the quote

• The theme that you will be discussing.

• Summary of the

• Analysis and an explanation of what the quote means.

Establishing Context

• Characters in the Scene: Which characters are being discussed in the quote? (Two-Bit and Marcia)

• Character Background: What needs to be known about these characters for the audience to understand the quote? (Two-Bit is a Greaser and Marcia is a Soc)

• Summary of Relationship: Give background on the relationship between the characters (they met at the movies and hit it off, so Marcia gave Two-Bit her phone number)

• Summary of the Events: Explain what happened in the story that led to the quote (After Marcia and Two-Bit go their separate ways, Two-Bit tears up her phone number)

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Open Ended

With your group try to establish context for the quote below. When submitting your response include the names of your group members before your response ex: Desmond and Dillon

"Marcia's number. Probably a phony one, too. I must have been outa my mind to ask for it." (46).

Establishing Context - Example

Example: An example of stereotyping can be seen when Two-Bit throws away Marcia's phone number. Two-Bit and Marcia had a similar sense of humor and were having a great conversation while walking home from the movies. Two-Bit asks Marcia for her phone number, but after she leaves with her boyfriend, Two-Bit tears up Marcia's number.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is describing the goal of establishing context?

• Restate and directly answer the question you have been asked.

• Explain how the quote helps reveal the character's thoughts/beliefs/feelings about something or someone.

• Explain what the quote means and connect the quote to your answer in the topic sentence.

• Find proof directly from the text that proves/supports your topic sentence.

• Set up the quote for your reader, provide background information and/or plot summary that leads into a quote,

Indirectly Integrating Evidence

In 1 Sentence or Less - Use a quote (words from the text) to prove that your answer to the question is correct. When selecting a quote be sure to only use parts of the quote that prove your answer is correct. 

Integrating Evidence - Example

Example: When walking home from the movies Ponyboy explains "he would throw me in boys home if not for Soda".

Quote Analysis

In 1-2 sentences - connect the quote to the context and your topic sentence. Your quote means something, and in your quote analysis, you will explain how/why your quote means that. 

Quote Analysis - Example

Example: The quote demonstrates the frustration built up from stereotyping Darry as cold and uncaring. Ponyboy feels that Darry feels burdened by having him around, which causes frustration.

Character Analysis

In 1-2 Sentences - Explain how the quote helps reveal the character's thoughts/beliefs/feelings about something or someone. 

Integrating Evidence - Example

Example: When walking home from the movies Ponyboy explains "he would throw me in boys home if not for Soda".

Character Analysis - Example

Example: By stereotyping Darry as someone who resents him and is cold, Ponyboy has limited the relationship he can develop with Darry, even though Darry is someone with who he has a lot in common.

Thematic Analysis and Concluding Sentence

In 1-2 Sentences - Restate your main point while explaining how your response reveals the thematic message, author's purpose, or whatever topic you are writing about. 

Topic Sentence

In 1-2 Sentences - Restate and Directly Answer the Question

Message and Concluding Statment - Example

Essay Question: What is the author’s message about the effects of stereotyping others in The Outsiders?

Example: Stereotyping has effected Ponyboys ability to develop a relationship with his older brother .

Open Ended

Write down your topic sentence for the essay question...

Essay Question: What is the author’s message about the effects of stereotyping others in The Outsiders?

Remember to...

Restate the question and clearly explain how Two-Bit stereotyping Marcia affected him.

Example Topic Sentence

Viewing one from a different social group as a stereotype and not as a person often prevents one from truly understanding the other person and inhibits their ability to develop an honest relationship.

Establishing Context

In 2-3 sentences - unpack the key information to provide context and background for reader. Explain aspects of the plot, character, or background necessary to understand the quote

Open Ended

Write down the context for the essay question...

Essay Question: What is the author’s message about the effects of stereotyping others in The Outsiders?

Idea transition = Evidence of this idea is found when Add your context.

Example of Establishing Context

Evidence of this damaging behavior is found when Two-Bit, a greaser, meets and talks with Marcia, a Soc, and asks her for her telephone number. After she gives it to him and they go their separate ways, Two-Bit tears up her number.

Integrating Evidence

In 1 Sentence or Less - Use a quote (words from the text) to prove that your answer to the question is correct. When selecting a quote be sure to only use parts of the quote that prove your answer is correct. 

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is describing the integration of evidence/quote?

• Restate and directly answer the question you have been asked.

• Explain how the quote helps reveal the character's thoughts/beliefs/feelings about something or someone.

• Explain what the quote means and connect the quote to your answer in the topic sentence.

• Find proof directly from the text that proves/supports your topic sentence.

• Set up the quote for your reader, provide background information and/or plot summary that leads into a quote,

Example of Indirectly Introducing Evidence

When Ponyboy asks him why he tore it up, Two-Bit sarcastically suggests that it was “probably a phony one…” and adds that he “ must have been outa [his] mind to ask for it” (46).

Quote Analysis

In 1-2 sentences - connect the quote to the context and your topic sentence. Your quote means something, and in your quote analysis, you will explain how/why your quote means that. 

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is describing Quote Analysis?

• Restate and directly answer the question you have been asked.

• Explain how the quote helps reveal the character's thoughts/beliefs/feelings about something or someone.

• Explain what the quote means and connect the quote to your answer in the topic sentence.

• Find a section from the text that you feel supports your topic sentence.

• Set up the quote for your reader, provide background information and/or plot summary that leads into a quote,

Open Ended

Write down your quote analysis for the essay question. DO NOT USE ANY QUOTES - ANALYZE THE EVIDENCE

Remember to: Explain how the quote reveals a stereotype.

1. What words or part of this quote show a stereotype?

2. How does the quote reveal this stereotype?

Example of Quote Analysis

His assumption that the number is a fake reveals that he does not trust Marcia to give a greaser her real phone number. This mistrust and the fact that he said he was crazy to ask for it exposes his stereotypical view of her.

Character Analysis

In 1-2 Sentences - Explain how the quote helps reveal the character's thoughts/beliefs/feelings about something or someone. 

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is describing Character Analysis?

• Restate and directly answer the question you have been asked.

• Explain how the quote helps reveal the character's thoughts/beliefs/feelings about something or someone.

• Explain what the quote means and connect the quote to your answer in the topic sentence.

• Find a section from the text that you feel supports your topic sentence.

• Set up the quote for your reader, provide background information and/or plot summary that leads into a quote,

Open Ended

Write down your character analysis for the essay question...

Essay Question: What is the author’s message about the effects of stereotyping others in The Outsiders?

Remember To Include:

1. What is Two-bit’s belief about Marcia from this quote?

2. Why does he think this way?

Example of Character Analysis

He does not believe that Marcia, a Soc, has the capacity for honesty or the desire to have a real relationship with a greaser, and he feels that she would lie because of these beliefs. 

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is describing your Thematic Message and Concluding Sentence?

• Restate your main point while explaining how your response reveals the message or authors purpose

• Explain how the quote helps reveal the character's thoughts/beliefs/feelings about something or someone.

• Explain what the quote means and connect the quote to your answer in the topic sentence.

• Find a section from the text that you feel supports your topic sentence.

• Set up the quote for your reader, provide background information and/or plot summary that leads into a quote,

Example of Thematic Message and Concluding Sentence

As a result of viewing her in this stereotypical manner, Two-Bit is preventing them from truly getting to know one another and damaging any future possibility of a trusting relationship. From this example one can conclude that viewing someone as a stereotype and not a person inhibits any true understanding of the other person and will never lead to a better understanding or a real, caring relationship with them.

Open Ended

Write down the thematic message for the essay question...

Essay Question: What is the author’s message about the effects of stereotyping others in The Outsiders?

Remember To: Explain how this thinking will affect their possible relationship. Be sure to tie it back to the topic sentence.