Writing Genre Literary Analysis In a literary analysis, the writer carefully examines a text, or elements of a text, such as character, plot, setting, or theme in a story. Read Brenna Gerry s literary analysis of character in Romeo and Juliet. Introduction An introductory sentence identifies the title, author, and text type to be analyzed. 1. UnDERLINE the introductory sentence. A topic sentence includes a controlling idea about the story element being analyzed. 2. Box the topic sentence. Detail Sentences Evidence and quotations from the text supports the analysis. 3. check five supporting pieces of evidence and quotations. Language Use Transition words and phrases connect ideas in the paragraph. 4. at least two transition words or phrases. Concluding Sentence The concluding sentence restates the topic sentence. 5. star the concluding sentence. Student Model Juliet Has a Mind of Her Own by Brenna Gerry The story Romeo and Juliet is based on the play by William Shakespeare. This story has a main character, Juliet, who follows her own mind, for better or worse. Juliet first shows her strength when she rejects her parents choice of a husband (148). Then, when she and Romeo meet in secret, she doesn t hesitate to show her love for him, though her parents would not approve. Parting is such sweet sorrow, she says, obviously flirting (149). As the plot progresses, Juliet even fakes her own death so that she can be with Romeo. She seems unafraid as she whispers, Romeo! This do I drink to thee (154). The story concludes with a sad act that would never have happened if Juliet had listened to her parents. She chooses to stab herself rather than live without Romeo. Throughout the story, Juliet consistently does exactly what she wants to do. Page 1 of 8
Brainstorm Read the writing prompt. Then use the idea web to brainstorm ideas. Setting: Character: Plot: Writing Prompt: Analyze character, plot, setting, or theme in Romeo and Juliet. Theme: Choose Your Topic Use your ideas from the web to help you plan your analysis. I plan to analyze in by In this story, Page 2 of 8
Write Your Draft Write a draft of your literary analysis. Writing Prompt: Analyze setting, character, plot, or theme in Romeo and Juliet. Everyday he, she happens show let word choices Precise the character occurs illustrate, portray allow Introduction (title) Write your introductory statement. is (text type and title) Write your thesis statement. The (general statement) (text element) (controlling idea) by (author s name) of the story Type your introduction on the computer or write it on paper. Then use these transition words and phrases to complete a draft of your literary analysis. Detail Sentences First of all,... The plot of the story... One example is... Furthermore,... Although the character... The setting is significant because... A theme of this story... Finally,... Concluding Sentence Overall,... The author s message... In conclusion,... The main events in the story suggest... The main character s actions illustrate... On the whole,... Page 3 of 8
Revise Your Literary Analysis Evaluate Rate your literary analysis. Then have a writing partner rate it. Discuss Give feedback on your partner s literary analysis. Scoring Guide needs improvement average good excellent 1. underline the introductory sentence. Does it state the text type, title, and author? Self Partner 2. Box the topic sentence. Does it include a controlling idea? Self Partner 3. check evidence and quotations from the text. Do they support the analysis? Self Partner 4. transition words and phrases. Do they connect ideas? Self Partner 5. star the concluding sentence. Does it restate the topic sentence? Self Partner 1. Start with a positive comment about your partner s literary analysis. You did an effective job of I appreciate the way you 2. Give your partner suggestions for revision. I have a question about This analysis would be clearer if you Your paragraph needs 3. Answer any questions your partner has about your suggestions. Ask your partner for feedback. Use the frames below to summarize your partner s feedback. I did an effective job of... My partner appreciated the way I... My partner had a question about... My essay needs... Revise: Now revise your literary analysis. Page 4 of 8
Writing Text Type Literary Analysis In a literary analysis, the writer carefully examines a text, or elements of a text, such as character, plot, setting, or theme in a story. Read Brenna Gerry s literary analysis of character in Romeo and Juliet. Introduction An introductory sentence identifies the title, author, and text type to be analyzed. 1. UnDERLINE the introductory sentence. A topic sentence includes a controlling idea about the story element being analyzed. 2. Box the topic sentence. Detail Sentences Evidence and quotations from the text supports the analysis. 3. check five supporting pieces of evidence and quotations. Language Use Transition words and phrases connect ideas in the paragraph. 4. at least two transition words or phrases. Concluding Sentence The concluding sentence restates the topic sentence. 5. star the concluding sentence. Student Model Juliet Has a Mind of Her Own by Brenna Gerry The story Romeo and Juliet is based on the play by William Shakespeare. This story has a main character, Juliet, who follows her own mind, for better or worse. Juliet first shows her strength when she rejects her parents choice of a husband (148). Then, when she and Romeo meet in secret, she doesn t hesitate to show her love for him, though her parents would not approve. Parting is such sweet sorrow, she says, obviously flirting (149). As the plot progresses, Juliet even fakes her own death so that she can be with Romeo. She seems unafraid as she whispers, Romeo! This do I drink to thee (154). The story concludes with a sad act that would never have happened if Juliet had listened to her parents. She chooses to stab herself rather than live without Romeo. Throughout the story, Juliet consistently does exactly what she wants to do. Page 5 of 8
Brainstorm Read the writing prompt then use the idea web to brainstorm ideas. Setting: Character: Verona, Italy, in the 1500s Teens had little say over whom to marry. Violence erupts all the time. Prince has power to sentence lawbreakers to death Plot: Action is very dramatic and intense not like in the real world. Story unfolds over only a few days. main characters fall in love at first sight, marry in secret Writing Prompt: Analyze character, plot, setting, or theme in Romeo and Juliet. Characters act without thinking things through. Friar Laurence is wisest character Juliet is stronger than Romeo. Romeo is weak and foolish. Theme: The best intentions can lead to the worst problems. Blind hatred can lead to sorrow and tragedy. Hate is more powerful than love. Choose Your Topic Use your ideas from the graphic organizer to help you plan your analysis. I am going to analyze in the short story Romeo and Juliet In this story, Sample responses: plot; character; setting; theme by William Shakespeare. William Shakespeare presents several interesting messages about life. Page 6 of 8
Revision Passage Writing Text Type Literary Analysis More Than a Romance by Alysa Branson William Shakespeares short story Romeo and Juliet is a well-nown romance. As the story opens, men from the Capulet and Montague families are fighting. Later, Juliet s cousin Tybalt stabs Romeo s friend Mercutio. Romeo then draws his sowrd and kills Tybalt. When Romeo first sees Juliet, he says, I never saw true beauty till this night (148). Juliet feels the same way about Romeo and is instantly struck by love s arrow (148). The two get married in secret. The story ends on a sensational note. Juliet s parents do not know that she has married Romeo and want her to marry someone else. To avoid this, Juliet drinks a potion that will make her look dead. When Romeo finds her, he thinks she has actually died, and he swallows poison. Their families is overcome with grief. Romeo and Juliet is not just a love story. It also a fastpaced tale filled with surprising twists. Revise Use the ratings to revise the analysis. Scoring Guide needs average good excellent improvement 1. Does the introductory sentence state the title, author, and text type the writer is analyzing? 2. Does the topic sentence include a controlling idea about the story element being analyzed? 3. Do evidence and quotations from the text support the analysis? 4. Do transition words and phrases connect ideas? 5. Does the concluding sentence sum up or restate the topic sentence? Page 7 of 8
Revision Passage Writing Text Type Literary Analysis More Than a Romance by Alysa Branson William Shakespeares short story Romeo and known Juliet is a well-nown romance. As the story opens, men from the Capulet and Montague families are fighting. Later, Juliet s cousin Tybalt stabs Romeo s friend Mercutio. Romeo then draws sword his sowrd and kills Tybalt. When Romeo first sees Juliet, he says, I never saw true beauty till this night (148). Juliet feels the same way about Romeo and is instantly struck by love s arrow (148). The two get married in secret. The story ends on a sensational note. Juliet s parents do not know that she has married Romeo and want her to marry someone else. To avoid this, Juliet drinks a potion that will make her look ^ dead. When Romeo finds her, he thinks she has actually died, and he swallows poison. Their are families is overcome with grief. Romeo and is Juliet is not just a love story. It also a fastpaced ^ tale filled with surprising twists. Revise Use the ratings to revise the analysis. Scoring Guide needs average good excellent improvement 1. Does the introductory sentence state the title, author, and text type the writer is analyzing? 2. Does the topic sentence include a controlling idea about the story element being analyzed? 3. Do evidence and quotations from the text support the analysis? 4. Do transition words and phrases connect ideas? 5. Does the concluding sentence sum up or restate the topic sentence? Page 8 of 8