Text Analysis Writing: The Basics; edited/revised by Mrs. Burns

Reorder the following

• Carefully read and annotate the text you are given, whether it is familiar or not.

• Decide which central idea or theme, in the text, that you will discuss and which writing strategy the author uses to develop that central idea

• Write your introduction and two body paragraphs. Either add a conclusion OR add concluding sentences to the end of your second body paragraph.

• Write a concluding statement or paragraph; then proofread your work very carefully.

If nothing else happens, which four MUST be in your introduction?

• AUTHOR, TITLE, GENRE, and SUMMARY

• CENTRAL IDEA OR THEME, WRITING STRATEGY (literary term or element) CLAIM and SUMMARY

• AUTHOR, TITLE, CENTRAL IDEA, and funny anecdotes about your dog

• AUTHOR

  TITLE

  CENTRAL IDEA or THEME

  WRITING STRATEGY (literary term) the AUTHOR USES to develop the central idea

Which of the following is NOT correctly capitalized?

• the French
• German sausage
• Polish
• All of the choices are capitalized correctly.

Text analysis writing is a type of writing you will have to do again in 4th quarter for your Summative Measure of Learning (in lieu of a final exam, counts as 10% of your average for the year). It is also on the Regents exam when you are in 11th grade​, what is the point of writing a text analysis (or literary analysis) essay?​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​​ ​ (a)  

• shows writer's use of technique to develop a theme
• bore students
• allow students to write their own poems
• summarize a text
• discuss all the literary terms in a text
• write film reviews
• discourage critical thinking

Should you use "I" (first person narration) in text analysis writing

• NO

• YES

• It depends

• Please get this one right. Don't pick this.

When a Text Analysis directions rubric ask you to use academic vocabulary, sophisticated language, or the language we use to write about literature, what is it asking you?

• It is asking you to paraphrase the author's claim, and use whatever technical language you can think of, even if it doesn't fit.

• It is asking you to use more formal, school appropriate academic language and vocabulary specific to the text, the task, and/or or the subject. In ELA, this may mean using literary terms and elements, or saying "illustrates" instead of "shows."

• It is asking you to use very simple vocabulary and to give your opinion on everything that happens in the text.

• It asking you to insert quotes.

Do you need to include some of YOUR OWN WORDS in a sentence where you present directly quoted text evidence? (Disclaimer: The video is for entertainment and comic relief. It is not advice about how you should write or speak.)

• Of course! You CANNOT just drop in directly quoted text evidence as a stand-alone sentence. Oh my stars!

• Nah - you CAN ALWAYS just drop in directly quoted text evidence as a stand-alone sentence

• It's better to skip text evidence altogether as it takes too much time and I have YouTube videos to watch.

• me like quote bombs

In the short story “The Pedestrian” by Ray Bradbury, Leonard Mead, while out alone on his evening walk, felt content. “He listened to the faint push of his soft shoes through autumn leaves ...."

• Unacceptable! You CANNOT just drop in directly quoted text evidence as a stand-alone sentence. The horror!

• Nah this is fine - you can just drop in directly quoted text evidence as a stand-alone sentence

The third part of a body paragraph is giving some analysis - your own interpretation and explanation of how the evidence proves your claim. This means you have to analyze and discuss your quoted text evidence.

• True

• False

How are we feeling about writing text analysis essays (2-3 paragraphs long) ? Choose whichever is closest to how you feel. If you choose "Not Great" or "HELP!" please consider following up with an email to me so I can better address any concerns you might have. Thank you!

• Awesome!

• OK!

• Not great!

• HELP!