What is a literary analysis?
A literary analysis is when we read a text (poem, story, film, or novel) closely to understand its message,
interpret its meaning, and appreciate or critique the writer’s techniques.
It is a form of argument. Your thesis statement is your analysis of the work; your essay is about arguing
that your analysis is correct.
Can you just read the literary text once and then spit out a paper? NO.
Better pick a work you like, because you will read and reread it over and over until you know it by heart.
You pay attention to the writer’s language. If you do your proofreading and editing of your own papers
right, then it’s like that: you pour over the writer’s words. You focus on each word, each sentence. You
question: why this word, why place it here? Why not this word instead? Why this passage at all?
You look for patterns, for themes, motifs. Did the author plan everything or did she write immersed in the
moment? Was it all mapped out ahead? Does it feel forced? Does it flow, feel organic? Is the dialogue
rigid? Is it real, distinct and separate for each character or does it read like the rest of the text?
Does the writer have a deeper meaning? Is there a clear message or a hidden one?
How does your experience color your interpretation of the work? Is there a message in the work that the
writer is unaware of, did not intend?
Choose a method for analyzing the text.
Text itself.
development of text, the characters, the language, the themes, the tone.
Your response as a reader.
how the text affects you, how it develops meaning as you read it, how it resonates or fails to.
Context.
analyze the text as part of a larger context—time period, culture, the author’s body of work.
Read the text more than once.
The first run through, just read it.
Second run through, begin to take some notes. Underline bits that really catch your attention.
Compose a thesis.
What’s your take on the work?
What specific areas do you want to focus your attention on?
Do a CLOSE reading.
Look for specific brief passages that support your take on the work.
Find evidence to support your thesis.
Pay attention to your style.
Don’t use first person. No “I think….” Instead: “In this work, the author uses imagery to….”
Cite and document sources correctly!