Analyzing and Writing about Literature M. Denmon-Carra, MAT, BA Founder of LiteraTOUR Fitness
The 5 Part Essay INTROUCTION hook and thesis statement BODY PARAGRAPH 1 commentary, support (text evidence) and claims BODY PARAGRAPH 2 commentary, support (text evidence) and claims BODY PARAGRAPH 3 commentary, support (text evidence) and claims CONCLUSION thesis statement reworded, call to action, solutions, opinions
INTRODUCTION (The 5 Part Essay) Must have: (at least 4 to 5 sentences total) Hook (at least 3 sentences) Thesis (2 parts) (1 sentence only) Example thesis: Martians are cute but they don t make good husbands. 1. state topic: Martians 2. make a point about topic: are cute but they don t make good husbands (Thesis should be the very last sentence of the Introduction)
BODY PARAGRAPH 1,2,3 (The 5 Part Essay) Must have: (at least 6 sentences total) Topic Sentence that relates to thesis (1 sentence) Commentary that discusses more about the topic sentence (at least 2 sentences) Textual Evidence that supports your topic sentence and commentary (allusions, textual evidence, data, examples etc) (at least 1 sentence) Commentary that discusses more about your textual evidence (what does the text. evidence mean, show, imply or suggest) (at least 2 sentences)
THE CONCLUSION (The 5 Part Essay) Must have: (at least 5 to 6 sentences) Thesis reworded (not restated) A Call to Action Predictions Solutions/recommendations to problems Opinions/thoughts (you can use the word I in this paragraph
The 5 Part Essay Introduction Hook: I recently divorced a Martian. Thesis: Martians are cute but they don t make good husbands. Body Paragraph 1 Topic 1: Their strong green color hurts human eyes. Body Paragraph 2 Topic 2: They lack empathy and have no humor. Body Paragraph 3 Topic 3: They despise Earthians and want to conquer our planet.
The Structure of an Argument THE HOOK Grabs Attention (found in the Introduction) THE CLAIM Tries to argue or proves something States your beliefs SUPPORT The reasoning behind your argument/supporting evidence REFUTATIONS Recognizes but argues against the opposing view CALL TO ACTION What does the author want the audience to do (found in the conclusion)?
As You Read: # each paragraph Underline the thesis or controlling idea Write the purpose of each paragraph in the margin Highlight the causes/sub-problems of the major problem in pink Highlight the effects of the sub-problems in green Highlight the solutions in yellow Highlight the support (text. evidence, allusions, examples, data) in orange
MASCO Message? (1 sentence) What is the author s s purpose, message, main idea, or intention for writing the article/story? Message? Argument (At least 3-53 5 sentences) What is the author trying to persuade/convince us to do/think? Argument Solutions (At least 2 sentences) How did the author suggest the problem can be solved?? How do you think the problem can be solved? Solutions Conclusions (At least 3 (At least 3-55 sentences) What are the author s s final thoughts on the topic?? What are the author s s final conclusions based on his attitude (tone)? Opinions (At least 3-53 5 sentences) What are some of your reactions/thoughts to this argument/s?? Why do you think you had that reaction? Opinions 2011 MASCO All Rights Reserved for M. Denmon-Carra
SIFT for all Literature Symbol highlight/underline any symbols Images identify any images or sensory details Figures of Speech analyze any figurative language (metaphor, simile, personification, oxymoron, onomatopoeia, etc) Tone discuss how all devices reveal tone
TWIST To find theme/thesis Tone What is the attitude of the author? give support Word Choice What are some of the author s s words and their connotations, associations or emotional impact? Imagery What are some of the sensory impressions? Style What is the author s s use of language: figurative language poetic devices, repetition, rhyme, and/or rhythm? Theme What is the author s s purpose for writing the story?
Title What is the title? TP-CASTT Poetry Paraphrase Paraphrase the poem. Connotation What are some connotations in the author s s word choice? Attitude What is the tone of the author? Shift What are some shifts in the poem? Theme What is the author s s purpose for writing the poem Title again How does the title relate to the theme?
SOAPS-TONE non-fiction Speaker Who is the speaker (narrator)? Occasion What is the occasion? Audience Who is the targeted audience? Purpose What is the author s s purpose for writing the story/article? Subject What is the topic of the story/article? TONE What is the tone of the author? And what mood does it create? TONE
RAFT for all Literature Role What is the role (persona) of the protagonist? Audience Who is the targeted audience? Format What is the format of the story? (letter, brochure, essay travel guide, article, etc)? Topic What is the topic of the story?
SMELL Analyzing a persuasive speech asking 5 essential questions Sender-receiver receiver relationship: What is the sender-receiver receiver relationships? Who are the images and language meant to attract? Describe the speaker of the text. Message: What is the author s s purpose? Summarize the statement made in the text. Emotional Strategies: What is the desired effect? Logical Strategies: What logic is operating? How does it (or absence of it) affect the message? Consider the logic of the images as well as the words. Language: What does the language of the text describe? How does it affect the meaning and effectiveness of the writing? Consider the language of the images as well as the words.
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