How to Write an Analysis Essay

MLA Format Starting freshman year, most teachers will ask that you write your essays in MLA Format. ☐ Your last name and page number are the headers of each page ☐ 1 in. indents around the entire page ☐ Double-spaced ☐ Legible font (Times New Roman preferred) ☐ 12 pt. font size ☐ Indent the first line of every paragraph by ½ in. ☐ Title: 12 pt. font size & centered in paper ☐ Blurb on the top left corner of the first page including: Your full name Professor/Mr/Mrs _______ Name of Class Deadline for submission Many teachers will ignore essays that are not written in MLA format, so use the checklist above to make sure that you are proficient in using this format. It is something small that goes a long way for teachers. MLA Format Citations: Creating the citations in MLA format is more difficult, however, there are multiple platforms that take the links you give them and create a works cited page for you. Linked below is my personal favorite. EasyBib Free MLA Citation For both Honors English I and II, it is necessary to know how to write an essay that analyzes the author’s use of literary devices, and to be able to tie those devices back into a specific purpose statement. These skills will eventually transfer into AP Language & AP Literature! Literary Devices: *Choose a few and get good at using/analyzing them! Allegory: a story that is used to depict more than is seen at the surface - Ex. In the Grinch story, there is more going on than meets the eye. Allusion: a reference to a specific event/person/thing without an actual mention - Ex. John loved going to the gym, but running was his Achilles heel. Analogy: comparing two ideas, used for further clarification - Ex. “Life is like a box of chocolates - you never know what you are going to get”. Anaphora: repeated phrases or words at the beginning of sentences or phrases - Ex. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness,” — A Tale of Two Cities Chiasmus: two clauses are connected, but inverted - Ex. “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” — John F. Kennedy Dramatic Irony: the reader knows more about the circumstances than a character(s) - Ex. In Romeo & Juliet, the audience knows Juliet is asleep as Romeo kills himself. Euphemism: a nice way of saying something that can be inappropriate at the time - Ex. parents telling kids they “sent away” a dog that actually died. Flashback: writing about an event that occurred before the writing - Ex. On March 13, I could have never guessed what was about to happen. Foreshadowing: hinting at something that will happen in the future - Ex. weapon mentioned early in the novel then used later. Hyperbole: over or under exaggerating a statement - Ex. I’m so hungry I could eat a horse. Imagery: vivid descriptions that create a visual in the reader’s head - Ex. auditory (hear), gustatory (taste), tactile (touch), olfactory (smell), visual (see) →____imagery Juxtaposition: two entirely different ideas are used to relay the same purpose - Ex. Yin and yang; “good” and “bad” work together harmoniously. Malapropism: replacing a word with one that sounds similar to it - Ex. I’m going to go dance a flamingo (it should be flamenco). Metaphor: a phrase compared to something that it could not literally be compared to - Ex. Life is a rollercoaster. Motif: a distinctive phrase that is repeated multiple times - Ex. Mockingjay in The Hunger Games. Oxymoron: two words that contradict each other but describe the same idea - Ex. Act natural. Paradox: using irregular analogies to make a point - Ex. My weaknesses are my strengths. Polysyndeton: using “and” instead of commas - Ex. There were apples and oranges and bananas and mangoes. Repetition: using the same words or phrases over and over again - Ex. People of this nation deserve a president they can respect, a president they can serve, a president they can love. Rhetorical Question: asking a question to make a point rather than for an answer - Ex. Do dogs bark? Simile: comparison of two things using the word “like” or “as” - Ex. He kicked the soccer ball as fast as a sports car. Symbolism: a word or phrase that represents (or “symbolizes”) a distinct idea - Ex. Mockingjay in The Hunger Games represents a revolution. These are saved for last because they can be used on EVERY excerpt or book! (yes, all of them) ● Do not leave these devices without an adjective. You cannot say the author portrays tone. Every author has a tone, what makes it unique is that it is a specific kind. There are many examples listed below. Tone: the “mood” the author sets for the reader Types of Tone: Positive → Appreciative, Brave, Cheery, Comical, Compassionate, Direct, Ecstatic, Earnest, Energetic, Enthusiastic, Illuminating, Light, Optimistic, Pleasant, Proud, Satiric, Soothing, Stern, Sympathetic, Straightforward, Strong Other → Assertive, Calm, Candid, Confident, Factual, Fervent, Formal, Informal, Informative, Instructive, Intimate, Ironic, Nostalgic, Persuasive, Reflective, Questioning, Sentimental, Shocked, Straightforward, Strong, Urgent, Negative →Angry, Annoyed, Antagonistic, Bitter, Condescending, Dark, Foreboding, Frightened, Gloomy, Garsh, Hopeless, Pessimistic, Sardonic, Scornful, Tense, Violent Diction: the specific type of words the author is using to relay their purpose Types of Diction: Ambiguous, Abstract, Colloquial, Concrete, Connotative, Denotative, Didactic, Elevated, Emotional, Formal, Figurative, Informal, Loaded, Moralistic, Pedantic, Plain, Poetic, Pretentious, Sharp, Simple, Vivid Syntax: how words are ordered when writing a sentence Types of Syntax: Declarative: an assertive statement Staccato: short, quick sentences Interrogative: asking questions Telegraphic: short, bad grammar Long & Involved: 30+ words per Simple: childlike, one ind. clause Compound: 2 independent clauses Complex: ind. clause & dep. clause Periodic: purpose not apparent until the end of the statement Balanced: parallel structures of around the same length/significance PRO TIP #1: Not all literary devices are equal! What do we mean? Using simile or imagery in your essay is okay, but it requires far deeper analysis than juxtaposition or colloquial diction, for example. Less common literary devices are harder to connect and teachers appreciate that. They also allow for more interpretation to be tied back to the purpose. Now, I’m not saying that you should use anthropomorphism and bildungsroman in all of your essays, this is just something to keep in mind. Intro Paragraph There are different ways to approach writing an intro paragraph, and we will go over some of the best ways. Take the first 3-4 sentences to contextualize and introduce your essay, and leave the last sentence for the thesis. Below are 4 specific ways to write an introduction paragraph. PRO TIP #2: When your teacher has you create a title for your essay, don’t stress about it in the beginning. If you think of one right away, great! If not, it usually comes to you as your writing. Nonetheless, if you are at the end of your essay and you still can’t come up with a title, try identifying a motif (one of the literary devices above!) or a short and sweet holistic phrase that sums up the story! Now, on to actually writing the introduction. All the examples will be simplified and use the Tortoise and the Hare story so that you can truly understand the idea of writing an introduction. 1. Contradict a common idea Start out this type of introduction by stating a common, shallow perception of the excerpt or novel you are writing about, and do this in 1-3 sentences. Next, oppose this idea with another sentence and then your thesis statement. Example: Many readers assume The Tortoise and the Hare is a simple story about a race between two unequal opponents. The Tortoise proves otherwise, using his expertise to win what seemed an impossible race. (Insert Thesis) 2. Hook quote from the novel The first line of this type of intro paragraph includes a quote directly from the novel/excerpt that when taken out of context, seems absurd. After stating the quote, you should rationalize it and lead the message of that quote into your thesis, which you will write after this part. Example: “Slow and steady wins the race.” Almost everyone is aware of this quote, as The Tortoise and the Hare is a popular story depicting the significance of patience and consistency. Yet, very few individuals have succeeded in carrying out these principles in their own lives. This story does more than just tell how to succeed, but it shows how. (Insert thesis) 3. Hook quote from an outside source Choose a quote that pertains to the purpose of your essay and use it to give a background to the reader. Select a quote that grabs the attention of the reader and make sure it contains more of a holistic point of view. Use a few sentences to do this. Example: “The key to success is consistency.” - Zak Frazer. While almost everyone has heard this quote, not everyone practices it. The Tortoise proves this quote to be true when he races the Hare, who is much faster than him and beats him through confidence and consistency. (Insert thesis) 4. Give background information For this type of introduction paragraph, you are telling the reader what you will be writing about without using a specific skill. Later in the paragraph, you will be analyzing specific pieces of information, so right now, just focus on finding a way to summarize the basic information. Example: The Tortoise and the Hare is a story about two animals. The Hare, fast and young, is constantly teasing the Tortoise, slow and old. As a result, the Tortoise challenges the Hare to a race, knowing that he is slower. The wise tortoise continues at his steady pace, while the hare races ahead, so far ahead he takes a nap. In the end, the Tortoise wins the race. (Insert thesis) 5. Ask a question at the beginning of the paragraph Ask the reader an absurd or rhetorical question as the first line of your intro paragraph. Answer in a non-obvious way. This question can intrigue the reader into continuing to read your piece. Example: A tortoise can’t possibly win a race over a hare, can it? In this case, it can. In the story of the Tortoise and the Hare, a slow, yet wise tortoise acquires victory over a speedy hare through the practice of patience and consistency. (Insert thesis) Thesis Statement Writing a thesis may seem confusing at first, but once you have it down you’ll be able to whip them out in minutes. Try to fit it in one sentence, but know that two sentences are okay as well. What does a thesis contain? A thesis contains the author’s name, the name of the piece that is being written about, literary devices being analyzed, and a purpose. Below is an example of a thesis displaying mastery skills. You really don’t need anything else. Example: While emphasizing the significance of words and storytelling in Word by Word: The Secret Life of Dictionaries, Stamper appeals to the reader’s pathos concerning language and uses a reflective tone to make the audience aware of the painstaking, yet thrilling job of a lexicographer. ● The author’s name: refer to the author by their full name or their last name ● Name of excerpt: if you are reading from an excerpt of a book or novel, use italics; if you are analyzing a short story or poem, use quotation marks ● Literary Devices: simply list out the literary devices you plan on analyzing in the body paragraphs by saying (insert author’s name) utilized, employed, used, etc. ● Purpose: write specifically what the author is using the literary devices to prove; the purpose should be a holistic, yet not cliche statement that is defensible (this is the hardest part) PRO TIP #3: Make sure your thesis is defensible! Defensible means that you can defend your position on the idea, but it also has another perspective that could be argued. Due to this, there is no “right” or “wrong” answer. As long as you use evidence and reasoning to prove your point, you should be okay. Body Paragraphs Depending on the number of literary devices you use, the number of body paragraphs you have could change. Most people write 2-3. If you are doing a timed essay, we would recommend 2 body paragraphs. But if you have an extended period, using 3 could be a good way to strengthen your point. How is a body paragraph organized? REPEAT 2-3x 1. Topic Sentence 2. Quote #1 - Analysis #1 Quote #2 - Analysis #2 Quote #3 - Analysis #3 (Optional) 3. Conclusion Sentence Topic Sentence Introduce the reader to what you are going to write about. Let’s refer to the thesis written above. The first literary device used is appealing to the pathos of the reader regarding language. Therefore, the topic sentence of the first body paragraph would look something like this: “In this excerpt, Stamper appeals to the reader’s pathos through the use of metaphors and a rhetorical question, implying that words and language hold great meaning and can be used to express one’s true feelings, dreams and emotions to the world.” Repeat the literary device being used, and go deeper than what was said in the thesis statement by expanding on the purpose of the author using this literary device. It is necessary to prepare and accustom the reader to what they are about to read. Quote - Analysis First, finding a good quote. Find quotes that include a literary device while simultaneously addressing the purpose of the novel. Here is an example of a quote that includes a metaphor while also diving deep into the purpose of the story. “Watching the connection happen is like watching nuclear fission in miniature: there is a flash behind the eyes,” - Word by Word: The Secret Life of Dictionaries After inserting the quote, use a connecting phrase such as “in order to” or “for the purpose of” to tie the quote to the purpose. This creates a seamless transition and makes it easier for you to stay on track. Next, you will have to describe the importance of the quote. “in order to convey the impact words have on babies who are just learning them, and how that curiosity never goes away for lexicographers. To Stamper, words have an amazing power to tell stories and mean something similar, yet personal to everyone who uses them, even if they don’t think about it on the same level that lexicographers do.” Establish a line of reasoning that goes back to your thesis statement. Make sure you are focusing on WHY the author wrote this and HOW this plays back into your purpose. A lexicographer is someone who works with dictionaries, and the author’s intention is to represent the thrilling adrenaline of the job. In this line of reasoning/analysis, the purpose is written, connects to the quote, and connects to the thesis. ● You are going to do this 2-3x per paragraph, depending on how much time you have and how much you feel is necessary. Remember, a third piece of evidence can help or hurt you in the long run. Conclusion Sentence For the conclusion sentence at the end of each body paragraph, try to summarize the paragraph in a single sentence. Focus once again on the overarching purpose, and keep it at one sentence if you can. “Stamper’s purpose is for the reader to realize the substance and value words people choose have, and for the reader to understand how her background gave her this knowledge.” Notice how it explicitly states, “Stamper’s purpose is”. Although it is beneficial to vary your sentence starters and include formal diction, keep in mind that simpler can be better when you need to get your point across. Combine all of this and you have a body paragraph! Repeat this process 2-3x for your analysis essay. If you have more time, shoot for 3! However, it is completely normal to write 2 body paragraphs when under a time constraint. When you have ~45 minutes to write an entire essay, focus on doing less, but doing it better. Conclusion Paragraph This is the final part of your essay! There are many different approaches to writing a conclusion paragraph, so let’s walk through some examples and must-dos. MUST DO: Restate the thesis as the first sentence of the conclusion paragraph. Phrase it similarly, yet not exactly the same. At the end of the essay, the reader will be reminded of the purpose and prepared for the closing statements. 1. Connect to the first paragraph By the time you are in your conclusion paragraph, you should have already written your introduction paragraph. Most of the time, students don’t have the time to write an extensive introduction paragraph where they truly get everything they wanted to say off their chest. If this is you, take the conclusion as an opportunity to dig deeper into whatever it is you chose to talk about in the introductory paragraph. 2. Primary and secondary sources This type of conclusion paragraph is better suited for a literary analysis with an extended deadline or where you have background information on the author. This is because you can learn about the author and talk about how their life experiences led them to write the piece. For example, if they have a biography or autobiography, you can pull information from there and include it in your purpose statement. 3. Compare to current or past events Even when analyzing a novel, it can be good to compare the happenings to something else that happened in the real world. Compare and contrast the overall effects these two “stories” have and what made them similar/unique. This can add an interesting perspective to how things changed and stayed the same over time and years of changing human life. PRO TIP #4: Under no circumstances should you write “in conclusion”, “overall”, “in summary” or any phrases that invoke the same childish tone that these words do. Although it seems fitting, it does not give your writing the sense of sophistication it deserves.