Based on what you know now, especially considering the comments on your final exam papers, post your top five tips for writing an effective, analytical literary essay. Make sure you read previous posts, though--you can't repeat a tip/rule that someone else has already posted.
1. Stay away from summarizing!
ReplyDelete2. Whatever you are analyzing, watch it numerous times so that you do not mis anything.
3. use sensory description and details
4. Analyze every little thing and don't leave anything out
5. Always ask why
1. Reread passages until you understand them.
ReplyDelete2. Make conclusions and write them in the margins so you remember what you thought.
3. Be aware of tone changes. Then, think about why the tone has changed.
4. Mark words you don't know and write the definitions out in the margins.
5. Look at diction. The author may have used words with double meanings, which can change the tone.
1. Mark your book! Write comments in the margins and underline important lines.
ReplyDelete2. Always note repeated words and/or images.
3. If you don't understand something, write a question mark beside it and ask in class, that way when you go back through it you can understand it better.
4. Note the perspective of the narrator in order to understand situations clearly. This will help you draw conclusions about other characters.
5. Read SLOWLY and CAREFULLY! You don't want to miss something that is really important to the meaning of the story.
1. Do NOT summarize. Write the analysis as if your reader has already read the novel and knows about it.
ReplyDelete2. Have an arguement. State your opinion. Do not use "I think", "in my opinion", "it seems like", etc...It is obvious to the reader that this is your opinion. You're the one writing it, of course it's your opinion.
3. Support your arguement. Use examples and quotes from the book that prove your statement true.
4. Pay attention to word choice and syntax. Often when a narrator is expressing their feelings about something, they will chose description words instead of simply stating his or her thoughts. For example, instead of saying, "I think he is mean," the narrator might say, "He has a hole where his heart should be."
5. Pay attention to motifs and themes. Things that are repeated throughout the book are often important to what the book is trying to portray.
1. When analyzing texts, EVERYTHING means something! Do not feel like you are over-analyzing.
ReplyDelete2. Stay away from summarizing.
4. Pay attention to themes and motifs while reading.
5. Take notes in your book! It will really help you during class, and when you need to write papers.