Literary Analysis Master

Literary Analysis

By Sean Rasmussen

What is the point of literary analysis?

The purpose of a literary analysis is to demonstrate why the author used specific ideas, word choices, or writing structures to convey his or her message.​

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Essay Prompt

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)​

Essay Prompt

Sentence Types

• Topic Sentence: 1-2 Sentences - Restate and answer the question

• Idea Transition & Quote Context: 2-3 Sentences - Set up the quote/evidence

• Evidence or Quote: 1 sentence - Present evidence that BEST supports your topic sentence. Cite with the page number inside the period (46).

• Character Analysis: 1-2 Sentences - Explain what the quote reveals about the character's thoughts/feelings/beliefs

• Thematic Analysis and Concluding Sentence: 1-2 Sentences - Explain how your example shows the author's message about the theme.

Literary Analysis

Overview

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).​

Example Paragraph Quote

Topic Sentence: 1-2 Sentences​

• Goal: In 1-2 Sentences restate the question, identify which theme you are writing about, and answer the question.

  • Keep your response broad: Your answer should be able to apply to a number of different examples from the book.

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• Don't include any characters

• Don't include or mention your quote/evidence

• Don't explain what the quote means

Topic Sentence

Multiple Choice

How many sentences should your Topic Sentence(s) be?

• 1 sentence

• 1-2 sentences

• 2-3 sentences

• 3-4 sentences

• 4-5 sentences

Multiple Select

What information should be in your topic sentence? (Mark all 3)

• Restatement of the question

• The theme you are writing about

• A clear answer to the question

• Your quote and/or evidence

• An explanation of what the quote means

Topic Sentence Starters

• ​Sentence Starter: In The Outsiders, S.E. Hinton illustrates/discusses/shows the impact/benefit/consequences of (theme)...

• Sentence Starter: The author's message about (theme) is…

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Example: ​

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.​

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Topic Sentence

Open Ended

With your group try to create a topic sentence for the question below using the quote "Marcia's number. Probably a phony one too. I must have been outa my mind to ask for it." (46).

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

Transition & Establishing Context:

2-3 Sentences​

Goal: Transition from topic sentence to your quote. Establish context by including the characters, relationships, and a plot summary.

Be sure to include...​

• Transitional phrase: A few words to connect your topic sentence to your context. Ex: An example of this can be seen when...

• Characters: Who is being discussed in the quote? What does the audience need to know about the characters to understand the quote?

• Relationships: How do the characters know each other? How do they feel (like love, hate etc.) about each other​?

• Plot Summary: What happened that led to your quote/evidence? ​

Multiple Choice

How many sentences should your Transition and Context be?

• 1 sentence

• 1-2 sentences

• 2-3 sentences

• 3-4 sentences

• 4-5 sentences

Multiple Select

When writing your transition and context, what information should you include? MARK ALL THAT APPLY

• The characters being discussed in the quote

• Background information on the characters

• A summary of the events that happened before the quote

• A transitional phrase

• Your quote/evidence

Practicing Context

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

• Characters:

  • Who is being discussed in the quote?

  • What does the audience need to know about the characters to understand the quote?

• Relationships:

  • How do the characters know each other?

  • How do they feel (like love, hate, etc.) about each other?

• Plot Summary:

  • What happened that led to your quote/evidence? ​

Practicing Context - Answer

• Characters:

  • Who is being discussed in the quote? Marcia and Two-Bit

  • What does the audience need to know about the characters to understand the quote? Two-Bit is a greaser and Marcia is a Soc

• Relationships:

  • How do the characters know each other? They met at the movies

  • How do they feel (like love, hate, etc.) about each other? They got along well

• Plot Summary:

  • What happened that led to your quote/evidence? ​Marcia gave Two Bit her phone number but Two-Bit tore it up after she left with her boyfriend.

Example of Establishing Context

• Transition: An example of stereotyping can be seen when

• Characters & Background: Two-Bit, a greaser, and Marcia, a Soc, are walking home from the movies.

• Relationship: During the walk, Two-Bit and Marcia get along really well and are having a great conversation,

• Plot Summary: so Marcia gives Two-Bit her phone number. After Marcia leaves with her boyfriend, Two-Bit tears up the phone number.

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An example of stereotyping can be seen when Two-Bit, a greaser, throws away Marcia's, a Soc, were walking home from the movies. Two-Bit and Marcia were having a great conversation while walking home so Two-Bit asked Marcia for her phone number. But, after she leaves with her boyfriend, Two-Bit tears up Marcia's number.

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Open Ended

With your elbow partner establish context for the quote "He's (Darry) hard as a rock and about as human...He thinks I'm a pain in the neck...he can't stand me...I bet he wishes he could stick me in a home somewhere" (42).

Each group will only post once - be sure to include your names (i.e. Ben and Jerry) before you context.

Example​ Essay

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. An example of stereotyping can be seen when Two-Bit, a greaser, throws away Marcia's, a Soc, phone number. Two-Bit and Marcia were having a great conversation while walking home from the movies so Two-Bit asked Marcia for her phone number. But, after she leaves with her boyfriend, Two-Bit tears up Marcia's number.​

Multiple Select

What information should be in your topic sentence? (Mark all 3)

• Restatement of the question

• The theme you are writing about

• A clear answer to the question

• Your quote and/or evidence

• An explanation of what the quote means

Multiple Select

When writing your transition and context, what information should you include? MARK ALL THAT APPLY

• The characters being discussed in the quote

• Background information on the characters

• A summary of the events that happened before the quote

• A transitional phrase

• Your quote/evidence

Integrated Evidence

​Evidence or Quote: Present evidence that BEST supports your topic sentence. Use lead-ins to establish or transition to different parts of the quote (great way to connect the ...'s )

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Important to Remember

• 1 sentence MAXIMUM

• Make every word count - select a part(s) of a sentence(s) that best proves your answer in the topic sentence.

• Use lead In's (words that set up your quote) to establish even more context - ex: when Ponyboy asked him why he tore up the number Two-Bit said "..."

• Cite the page number - inside of the period (46).

Multiple Choice

What is a lead-in?

• Words or phrases that set up or add context to your quotes

• Words or phrases that support your analysis and thematic message

• Quotes or evidence taken directly from the text

• Anything said by a character that led to other events or problems

Multiple Select

What should you include and remember when presenting evidence? (Mark all that apply)

• Select only the parts of the quote that support your answer

• Use lead-ins to set up your quotes/evidence

• Cite the page number

• Explain what your quote tells us about the characters

• Explain how the quote shows the thematic message or idea the author wants you to understand.

​Sentence Starter: This idea is revealed when… + “quote” (pg#).

Sentence Starter: Then (character) does/says… + “quote” (pg#).

In your notes underline the colored text and make a note that these are lead-ins.

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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 my mind to ask for it” (46).

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Integrated Evidence​​

Open Ended

With your elbow partner intergrate evidence for the quote "He's (Darry) hard as a rock and about as human...He thinks I'm a pain in the neck...he can't stand me...I bet he wishes he could stick me in a home somewhere" (42).

Each group will only post once - be sure to include your names (i.e. Ben and Jerry) before you context.

Example​ Essay

• Topic Sentence: In The Outsiders, S.E. Hinton discusses the effects of stereotyping and how stereotyping can prevent people from developing an understanding of or relationship with someone.

• Transition & Context: An example of stereotyping can be seen when Two-Bit, a greaser, throws away Marcia's, a Socs, phone number. Two-Bit and Marcia were having a great conversation while walking home from the movies so Two-Bit asked Marcia for her phone number. But, after she leaves with her boyfriend, Two-Bit tears up Marcia's number.

• Integrated Quote w/ Lead-Ins: When Ponyboy asks Two-But why he tore up the phone number, Two-Bit explains that the number was “probably a phony one” and adds that he “must have been outa my mind to ask for it” (46).

Multiple Select

What information should be in your topic sentence? (Mark all 3)

• Restatement of the question

• The theme you are writing about

• A clear answer to the question

• Your quote and/or evidence

• An explanation of what the quote means

Multiple Select

When writing your transition and context, what information should you include? MARK ALL THAT APPLY

• The characters being discussed in the quote

• Background information on the characters

• A summary of the events that happened before the quote

• A transitional phrase

• Your quote/evidence

Multiple Select

What should you include when presenting evidence? (Mark all that apply)

• Select only the parts of the quote that support your answer

• Use lead-ins to set up your quotes/evidence

• Cite the page number

• Explain what your quote tells us about the characters

• Explain how the quote shows the thematic message or idea the author wants you to understand.

Character Analysis: 1-2 Sentences

​Character Analysis: Explain what the quote reveals about the character's thoughts/feelings/beliefs and why the character thinks/feels/believes this.

Use language and words from your topic sentence​

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Questions to Guide your Response

• What does the quote reveal about how the character thinks/feels/believes?

• Why does the character think/feel/believe this?

Multiple Choice

How many sentences should your character analysis be?

• 1 sentence

• 1-2 sentences

• 2-3 sentences

• 3-4 sentences

• 4-5 sentences

Multiple Select

What should you include in your character analysis? Mark all that apply

• What does the character think, feel, believe?

• Why does the character think, feel, believe this?

• Key words or language from your topic sentence.

• Key pieces of the direct evidence or quotes.

• An explanation of the message the author wants the reader to lean about the theme.

Example of Character Analysis​

• ​What does the character feel/think/believe? Two-Bit throws away Marcia's phone number because he views her as a stereotypical Soc, who would not respect him.

• Why does the character feel/think/believe this? As a result, Two-Bit does not believe that Marcia, an upper-class Soc, would want to have a real relationship with him because he a lower-class greaser.

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Example​ Essay

• Topic Sentence: In The Outsiders, S.E. Hinton discusses the effects of stereotyping and how stereotyping can prevent people from developing an understanding of or relationship with someone.

• Transition & Context: An example of stereotyping can be seen when Two-Bit, a greaser, throws away Marcia's, a Socs, phone number. Two-Bit and Marcia were having a great conversation while walking home from the movies so Two-Bit asked Marcia for her phone number. But, after she leaves with her boyfriend, Two-Bit tears up Marcia's number.

• Integrated Quote w/ Lead-Ins: When Ponyboy asks Two-But why he tore up the phone number, Two-Bit explains that the number was “probably a phony one” and adds that he “must have been outa my mind to ask for it” (46).

• Character Analysis: Two-Bit throws away Marcia's phone number because he views her as a stereotypical Soc, who would not respect him or any other greaser. As a result, Two-Bit does not believe that Marcia, an upper-class Soc, would want to have a real relationship with him because he is a lower-class greaser.

Multiple Select

What information should be in your topic sentence? (Mark all 3)

• Restatement of the question

• The theme you are writing about

• A clear answer to the question

• Your quote and/or evidence

• An explanation of what the quote means

Multiple Select

When writing your transition and context, what information should you include? MARK ALL THAT APPLY

• The characters being discussed in the quote

• Background information on the characters

• A summary of the events that happened before the quote

• A transitional phrase

• Your quote/evidence

Multiple Select

What should you include when presenting evidence? (Mark all that apply)

• Select only the parts of the quote that support your answer

• Use lead-ins to set up your quotes/evidence

• Cite the page number

• Explain what your quote tells us about the characters

• Explain how the quote shows the thematic message or idea the author wants you to understand.

Multiple Select

What should you include in your character analysis? Mark all that apply

• What does the character think, feel, believe?

• Why does the character think, feel, believe this?

• Key words or language from your topic sentence.

• Key pieces of the direct evidence or quotes.

• An explanation of the message the author wants the reader to lean about the theme.

Thematic Analysis​

​Thematic Analysis and Concluding Sentence: Explain how your example supports the authors message and what the author wanted the reader to learn/understand. Be sure to use words and language that you included in your topic sentence.

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Questions to Guide your Response

• How does your example support the authors message about the theme?

• What did the author want the reader to learn or understand based on the example you presented?​

Multiple Select

What should you include in your thematic analysis? (Mark all that apply)

• Explain how your example supports your answer to the topic sentence

• Explain what the author wanted the reader to learn or understand about the theme

• Words and language that you used in your topic sentence

• Direct evidence from the text.

Example of Thematic Analysis​

• ​How does the quote/example support the authors message? As a result of stereotyping himself and Marcia, Two-Bit was unable to trust Marcia, and by throwing away her phone number he prevented them from developing a relationship.

• What did the author want you to learn/understand? This results in a continued lack of understanding and judgment based on appearance or social status rather than someone's character.

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Literary Analysis Essay

Thematic Analysis

Open Ended

Provide your character analysis. Be sure to explain what the character is thinking/feeling/believing and why the character feels this way.

Example​ Essay

• Topic Sentence: In The Outsiders, S.E. Hinton discusses the effects of stereotyping and how stereotyping can prevent people from developing an understanding of or relationship with someone.

• Transition & Context: An example of stereotyping can be seen when Two-Bit, a greaser, throws away Marcia's, a Socs, phone number. Two-Bit and Marcia were having a great conversation while walking home from the movies so Two-Bit asked Marcia for her phone number. But, after she leaves with her boyfriend, Two-Bit tears up Marcia's number.

• Integrated Quote w/ Lead-Ins: When Ponyboy asks Two-But why he tore up the phone number, Two-Bit explains that the number was “probably a phony one” and adds that he “must have been outa my mind to ask for it” (46).

• Character Analysis: Two-Bit throws away Marcia's phone number because he views her as a stereotypical Soc, who would not respect him or any other greaser. As a result, Two-Bit does not believe that Marcia, an upper-class Soc, would want to have a real relationship with him because he is a lower-class greaser.

• Thematic Analysis: As a result of stereotyping himself and Marcia, Two-Bit was unable to trust Marcia, and by throwing away her phone number he prevented them from developing a relationship. This results in a continued lack of understanding and judgment based on appearance or social status rather than someone's character.

Open Ended

What quote will you use for your paragraph on growth and understanding? Be sure to include your name and cite the page number

Multiple Select

What information should be in your topic sentence? (Mark all 3)

• Restatement of the question

• The theme you are writing about

• A clear answer to the question

• Your quote and/or evidence

• An explanation of what the quote means

Open Ended

What does the author want you to learn or understand about the theme: growth and understanding? Be sure to include your name and a topic sentence.

Open Ended

Integrate your evidence using lead-ins.

Multiple Select

When writing your transition and context, what information should you include? MARK ALL THAT APPLY

• The characters being discussed in the quote

• Background information on the characters

• A summary of the events that happened before the quote

• A transitional phrase

• Your quote/evidence

Open Ended

Transition and establish context for the quote that you will use. Be sure to read at least 1 page before the quote you will use.

Multiple Select

What should you include when presenting evidence? (Mark all that apply)

• Select only the parts of the quote that support your answer

• Use lead-ins to set up your quotes/evidence

• Cite the page number

• Explain what your quote tells us about the characters

• Explain how the quote shows the thematic message or idea the author wants you to understand.

Multiple Select

What should you include in your character analysis? Mark all that apply

• What does the character think, feel, believe?

• Why does the character think, feel, believe this?

• Key words or language from your topic sentence.

• Key pieces of the direct evidence or quotes.

• An explanation of the message the author wants the reader to lean about the theme.

Open Ended

Provide your Thematic analysis. Be sure to explain how the quote supports the answer to the topic sentence AND what the author wanted the reader to understand about growth and understanding.

Multiple Select

What should you include in your thematic analysis? (Mark all that apply)

• Explain how your example supports your answer to the topic sentence

• Explain what the author wanted the reader to learn or understand about the theme

• Words and language that you used in your topic sentence

• Direct evidence from the text.