Writing a Literary Analysis Paragraph

Model

The first body paragraph of the Student Model begins by stating, “Aesop was a sage whose tales were used to teach
people lessons about life.” This topic sentence clearly establishes the main idea this body paragraph will develop. It lets
readers know that the writer will be discussing the lessons Aesop’s tales taught.

This topic sentence is immediately followed by evidence. The writer cites the example of what happens to the greedy fox
in “The Swollen Fox” by including a direct quotation from the tale. The writer then cites the example of the flies in the fable
“The Flies and the Honey-Pot.” By using the transition word similarly, the writer lets readers know that the flies are being
compared to the fox. The writer chooses a direct quotation from this second fable to highlight the similarity in the lesson
learned by the fox and the flies: “Pleasure bought with pains, hurts” (Aesop).

Next, the writer explains the significance of these ancient tales and what they tell us. The paragraph concludes by stating
that Aesop’s fables suggest that “in seeking gratification, people may act without thinking, often with unfortunate results.”
This concluding sentence wraps up the paragraph and relates back to the claim that a common theme in ancient Greek
texts was that thoughtlessness led to bad consequences.

The writer uses additional transition words and phrases like also, as a result, and then within the other body paragraphs to
help guide readers as they transition from one sentence to the next.

Multiple Choice

Part A

What purpose does the transition word unlike serve in the first sentence of the paragraph?

• 1. It highlights a cause-effect relationship between thoughtful plans and the success.

• 2. It contrasts the character of Perseus with Paris and the fox.

• 3. It helps establish the order of events in the text.

• 4. It draws similarities between the beginnings and endings of stories.

  
  

Multiple Choice

Part B

Given what you know about the structure of a body paragraph, how could this body paragraph be improved?

• 1. It should use fewer transitions within its sentences.

• 2. The topic sentence should better relate to the claim that acting without thinking leads to bad consequences.

• 3. It should include more direct quotations and relevant examples from the text.

• 4. The concluding sentence should mention the contrast between Perseus and the characters in the fables in order to reinforce the topic sentence and the writer’s claim.