Writing Text Type Literary Analysis A literary analysis examines a text or one element of a text, such as character, plot, setting, or theme in a story. Read Kavita Webb s analysis of theme in The Fall of the House of Usher. Topic Sentence The topic sentence identifies the title, author, and text type that the writer will analyze. 1. UnDERLINE the topic sentence. The topic sentence includes a controlling idea about the text or story element being analyzed. 2. Box the controlling idea. Detail Sentences Detail sentences give supporting evidence from the text. 3. check three pieces of supporting evidence. Direct quotations from the text provide evidence for the analysis. 4. DOUBLE UnDERLIne a direct quotation. Language Use Transition words and phrases introduce and connect ideas. 5. two transition words or phrases that introduce or connect ideas. Student Model Friends are Loyal by Kavita Webb One of the themes of the short story The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe, is the importance of friendship. Friends should be loyal and support one another, and that is what the narrator does with his friend Usher. After he receives Usher s letter, the narrator goes to visit his friend, despite the fact that the letter disturbs him. Then, from the moment he arrives, the narrator tries to help Usher. After they glimpse Madeline for what might be the last time, the narrator says he did everything in my power to lift Usher s spirits (153). Though the house scares him, the narrator never thinks of abandoning his friend. He even helps Usher bury Madeline. In the end, the narrator cannot save Usher, but by being such a good friend he makes Usher s last days easier. Concluding Sentence The concluding sentence sums up the writer s ideas about the text. 6. star the concluding sentence. Page 1 of 8
Brainstorm Read the writing prompt. Then use the boxes to help you brainstorm ideas. Characters Plot Setting Writing Prompt: Analyze character, plot, setting, or theme in The Fall of the House of Usher. Theme Choose Your Topic Select one of your ideas from the idea web. Then complete the sentences. I plan to analyze in the short story The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe. In this story, Page 2 of 8
Organize Ideas for Writing Complete this outline with notes for your literary analysis. I. Topic Sentence Identify the title, text type, and author you will analyze. Topic: Controlling Idea: II. Detail Sentences List evidence that supports the topic sentence. Detail 1: Detail 2: III. Concluding Sentence Sum up your ideas about the text. Write Your First Draft Write your topic sentence. The in the short story The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe (is/are) (text type and title) (controlling idea) word choices Everyday Precise tells describes, explains house mansion, abode scary terrifying, horrific Type your topic sentence on the computer or write it on paper. Then use these transition words and phrases to help you complete a draft of your literary analysis paragraph. Detail Sentences The story takes place in... The author creates... In this story,... Furthermore,... Concluding Sentence In summary,... Overall,... Page 3 of 8
Revise and Present Your Paragraph Evaluate Rate your paragraph. 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 topic sentence. Does it identify the title, author, and text type being analyzed? Self Partner 2. Box the controlling idea. Does it tell what story element the writer will analyze? Self Partner 3. check evidence. Does it support the analysis? Self Partner 4. double UnDERLInE direct quotations. Do they support the thesis? Is the page number cited? Self Partner 5. transition words and phrases. Do they introduce or connect ideas? Self Partner 6. star the concluding sentence. Does it sum up the writer's ideas about the text? Self Partner 1. Start with a positive comment about your partner s literary analysis. You did an effective job of 2. Give your partner suggestions for revision. Your paragraph needs The evidence would be stronger if 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 paragraph needs... The evidence would be stronger if I... Revise: Now, revise your literary analysis. Final Draft/Present Write a final draft of your paragraph on the computer or on paper. Check it again and correct any errors before you present it. Page 4 of 8
Writing Text Type Literary Analysis A literary analysis examines a text or one element of a text, such as character, plot, setting, or theme in a story. Read Kavita Webb s analysis of theme in The Fall of the House of Usher. Topic Sentence The topic sentence identifies the title, author, and text type that the writer will analyze. 1. UnDERLINE the topic sentence. The topic sentence includes a controlling idea about the text or story element being analyzed. 2. Box the controlling idea. Detail Sentences Detail sentences give supporting evidence from the text. 3. check three pieces of supporting evidence. Direct quotations from the text provide evidence for the analysis. 4. DOUBLE UnDERLIne a direct quotation. Language Use Transition words and phrases introduce and connect ideas. 5. two transition words or phrases that introduce or connect ideas. Student Model Friends are Loyal by Kavita Webb One of the themes of the short story The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe, is the importance of friendship. Friends should be loyal and support one another, and that is what the narrator does with his friend Usher. After he receives Usher s letter, the narrator goes to visit his friend, despite the fact that the letter disturbs him. Then, from the moment he arrives, the narrator tries to help Usher. After they glimpse Madeline for what might be the last time, the narrator says he did everything in my power to lift Usher s spirits (153). Though the house scares him, the narrator never thinks of abandoning his friend. He even helps Usher bury Madeline. In the end, the narrator cannot save Usher, but by being such a good friend he makes Usher s last days easier. Concluding Sentence The concluding sentence sums up the writer s ideas about the text. 6. star the concluding sentence. Page 5 of 8
Brainstorm Read the writing prompt. Then use the boxes to help you brainstorm ideas. Characters Roderick Usher, the owner of the house, has an illness, and is isolated. The Narrator, Usher s childhood friend, is helpful and caring. Madeline, Usher s twin sister, is very ill and ghostly. Plot The Narrator visits his sickly friend, Usher. The Narrator tries to help Usher. Madeline, Usher s twin sister, dies. Usher grows sicker, then is killed by Madeline s ghost. Narrator flees as the house crumbles. Setting This story is set in the past. House of Usher is old and decaying and is almost another character in the story. The house is haunted by the ghosts of Usher family members. Gloomy weather matches gloom that is felt in the house. Writing Prompt: Analyze character, plot, setting, or theme in The Fall of the House of Usher. Theme Isolating yourself from the world can cause mental problems. True friends are always loyal and helpful, no matter what. Choose Your Topic Select one of your ideas from the idea web. Then complete the sentences. I plan to analyze setting House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe. In this story, dangerous place that haunts the main characters. in the short story The Fall of the the setting is a gloomy, Page 6 of 8
Revision Passage Writing Text Type Literary Analysis A Haunted House by Michael Runyon The short story The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe, has a setting that I will always remember. As the narrator see the house, he says, the place was more than depressing, it was terrifying (151). Next, the house seem to be killing Rodericks sister Madeline. The narator says comfort was not possible at that house (153). After a bad storm hits, the house become worse. As the narrator fleas, we read that the dark waters of the moat swallowed up the stones of the HOUSE OF USHER. (157) In conclusion, these details shows that the story takes place in a haunted house that harm anyone who enters. Revise Use the ratings to revise the paragraph. Scoring Guide needs average good excellent improvement 1. Does the topic sentence identify the title, author, and text type to be analyzed? 2. Does the topic sentence include a controlling idea? 3. Does evidence from the text support the analysis? 4. Do direct quotes from the text support the analysis? Does each quote include the page number? 5. Do transition words and phrases introduce and connect ideas? 6. Does the concluding sentence sum the writer's ideas about the text? Page 7 of 8
Revision Passage Writing Text Type Literary Analysis A Haunted House by Michael Runyon The short story The Fall of the House of is set in a haunted house that Usher by Edgar Allan Poe, has a setting that is dangerous to all who enter it. ^ first sees I will always remember. As the narrator see the house, he says, the place was more than depressing, it was terrifying (151). Next, s the house seem to be killing Rodericks sister ^ narrator Madeline. The narator says comfort was not possible at that house (153). After a bad s more treacherous storm hits, the house become worse. As the flees ^ narrator fleas, we read that the dark waters of the moat swallowed up the stones of the HOUSE OF USHER. (157) In conclusion, these details shows that the story takes place in a harms haunted house that harm anyone who enters. ^ Revise Use the ratings to revise the paragraph. Scoring Guide needs average good excellent improvement 1. Does the topic sentence identify the title, author, and text type to be analyzed? 2. Does the topic sentence include a controlling idea? 3. Does evidence from the text support the analysis? 4. Do direct quotes from the text support the analysis? Does each quote include the page number? 5. Do transition words and phrases introduce and connect ideas? 6. Does the concluding sentence sum the writer's ideas about the text? Page 8 of 8