PRINCIPLES OF LITERARY ANALYSIS

A STEP BY STEP GUIDE

The Formula: -Topic Sentence-Context-Quotation-Analysis-Relevance

The Big Question

How does the quote support your thesis?

Avoid feeling overwhelmed!

Follow these 5 steps…

1-Topic SentenceThis sentence begins every paragraph and states the focus of the paragraph.

2-ContextBriefly state what is happening in the story at the moment of the quote.

Avoid writing too much summary.

Context only provides the background information necessary to understand the significance of the quote.

3-Quote Introduce the quote with your own

wordsEmbed the quote! Never begin a sentence with a quote!

Every quote must flow into your own words. Example:

As the boys were fighting, Mr. Morrison “walked straight to the fighters and lifted a still-swinging Stacey off T.J.” (Taylor 85).

Include the citation!! Follow MLA format!!

Embedded Quote ExampleAtticus refuses to follow the racist practices of Maycomb because he believes that “The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience” (Lee 105).

Calpurnia understands that all people should be treated with respect, even Walter Cunningham, and tells Scout, “That boy’s yo’ comp’ny...” (Lee 24).

Embedded Quote ExampleMr. Morrison also embodies the value of honesty and tells Stacey that he will leave the decision of being truthful with Mama “up to y’all to decide” (Taylor 87).

Mama believes that all people are of equal value and explains to Cassie that “ Everybody born on this earth is something and nobody, no matter what color, is better than anybody else” (Taylor 127).

4-Analysis

Discuss what is said in the quote and explain its significance and meaning as it relates to your thesis.

This should be the longest part of your paragraph.

5-Concluding Sentence

Restate/Summarize how the quote relates to the topic sentence/thesis.

1-Topic Sentence

2-Context

3-Quote

4-Analysis

5-Concluding Sentence

This sentence states the focus of the paragraph.

This is the background information—who, what, when, where, why.

Never begin a sentence with a quote. Every quote must flow into your own words.

Explain how the quote supports and relates to your thesis.

Restate/Summarize how the quote relates to the topic sentence/thesis

5 Steps:

Congratulations!!

You now have the tools to begin your analysis!