Literary Analysis: Building a Case

Literary Analysis: Building a CaseLisa MartinPiedmont Technical CollegeEnglish 102

Think about literary analysis as preparing for court. In legal cases, defense attorneys and prosecuting attorneys look at the same evidence. However, they seek to prove two different points (guilt or innocence).Writing a literary-analysis essay is very similar to preparing for court. You read carefully (examine the evidence carefully) and try to determine what case you can make.

Preparing for Court

You make your caseyour opening statementin the form of a thesis statement.The thesis statement presents an interpretation of a literary work based on an analysis of its content. Of course, for the essay itself to be successful, you must now present evidence from the . . . [work] that will convince the reader of your interpretation (Thesis).

Source Cited: Thesis Statements. The Writing Center. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 14 Oct. 2005. Accessed 11 Feb. 2008. .

Opening Statement

Once you present your thesis, you are ready to fully address the jury (readers of your analysis paper).Basically, you are asking them to consider the evidence you are presenting in light of what you are trying to prove.

Audience/Jurors

You bring in exhibits for the jury (your readers) to review/consider. These exhibits are key quotes/passages from the text.

You discuss the quotes/passages and draw clear connections between them and your thesis.

You are always seeking to prove your case (your argument/your thesis)Exhibit A

Your conclusion paragraph, much like closing arguments in a court case, is where you are able to recap what you presented throughout the trial (the body of your essay).Dont bring in new points/new arguments here. Instead, focus on recapping what youve covered.You make your case in the paper; here, you want to recap the highlights (the evidence) for the jury and bring them to one clear conclusionthat your thesis is accurate.Closing Arguments

Study our textbook, and pay close attention to the model student essays.Review the planning sheet I have provided in our course.Consider reviewing your essays with a tutor. Piedmont Tech students get one hour of free tutoring each week; online tutoring is available.See me if you ever have any questions about this course or our assignments.For Further Study