Purpose
In a literary essay, a writer analyzes some aspect of a piece of literature. The goal is to explore and interpret the deeper meanings, themes, and elements of the work. This type of essay goes beyond summarizing the plot and delves into the various components that make up the literature, providing a deeper understanding and appreciation of the text.
Topic
Literature is made up of elements such as character, symbolism, theme, language, and structure. The best way to approach a literary analysis is to choose an element of the story, poem, or novel to focus on and think about what examining that particular element can reveal about the story or poem. Selecting a specific aspect allows for a more detailed and focused analysis.
When choosing a topic, consider what aspect of the literature interests you the most. This could be a recurring symbol, a significant theme, the development of a particular character, or the use of language and style. For example, if you are analyzing a novel, you might focus on the theme of betrayal, the symbolism of a particular object, or the protagonist’s character arc. By narrowing down your focus, you can provide a more thorough and insightful analysis.
Thesis
A thesis statement tells the paper’s main idea. For a literary analysis essay, the thesis needs to explain what an element of the story says about the story’s deeper meaning. A thesis for a literary essay needs to go beyond making an observation about the work and actually analyze the work. The thesis statement is the foundation of your essay and should be clear, concise, and arguable.
For example, a writer may be working on a literary essay about a poem that discusses the Vietnam War. This might be the writer’s first attempt at a thesis:
“In the poem ‘Heading Home,’ a group of soldiers are going home from the Vietnam War.”
This doesn’t work as a thesis, though, because it only tells what the poem is about on the surface. It simply makes an observation. Here is a more analytical thesis statement:
“In the poem ‘Heading Home,’ the recurring imagery of the dying birds suggests that parts of the homebound veterans have died even though they have all survived their service.”
This is a better thesis because it looks at an element of the poem, a recurring image of dying birds, and makes a statement about what that imagery means in interpreting the poem. Another way to think about a thesis for a literary essay is that it should make an arguable point. That means that it should make a point about which reasonable people could disagree.
Body
For a literary essay, it’s important to distinguish between analysis and plot summary. A literary essay does not need to contain a summary of the plot. At most, there may be a few sentences or a paragraph briefly giving an overview of the poem or story at the beginning of the paper. It is generally assumed, however, that the audience for a literary essay is familiar with the piece of literature to some degree.
Therefore, the body of a literary analysis essay needs to be structured in terms of discussing material that proves the thesis instead of relating the plot in chronological order. Plot points only need to be explicated as needed to prove a point for the analysis.
Structure of the Body
The best approach to structuring the body of a literary essay is to choose several things in the work that support the point of the thesis. For example, for the literary essay about the Vietnam War poem, the writer might choose three mentions of birds from the poem. The writer would then analyze each of those mentions.
Each body paragraph should start with a topic sentence that clearly states the main point of the paragraph. This is followed by evidence from the text, which could include direct quotes or specific examples. After presenting the evidence, the writer should provide an analysis that explains how the evidence supports the thesis.
For instance, a body paragraph might look like this:
“The imagery of eagles shows that the returning soldiers have been crushed by their experiences: ‘Bald eagles, soaring, now plummeting to ground.’ The bald eagle is an American symbol, and by showing the eagles plummeting to the ground, the poet is showing how the soldiers are similarly brought low by their plight.”
Using Evidence
It’s important to use examples from the story or poem to support one’s points in a literary analysis. These examples may be direct quotes. Direct quotes or other examples should be introduced by the writer and followed by an explanation that demonstrates how the quote illustrates the writer’s point. This helps to ground the analysis in the text and provides concrete evidence for the claims being made.
When using quotes, it is essential to integrate them smoothly into your writing. Avoid dropping quotes into the essay without any introduction or explanation. Instead, use signal phrases to introduce quotes, such as “The author writes,” “The narrator states,” or “According to the character.”
Avoiding Plot Summary
A common pitfall in literary essays is the inclusion of too much plot summary. While it is important to provide some context for your analysis, the focus should be on interpreting the text rather than recounting the story. Always aim to analyze and interpret rather than summarize.
Tone
The tone for a literary analysis is formal, and the writer should avoid the words “I” or “you.” This formal tone helps maintain the objectivity and professionalism of the essay. Instead of saying, “I believe the author uses symbolism to show,” you might say, “The author uses symbolism to demonstrate.” This keeps the focus on the text and the analysis rather than the writer’s personal opinions.
Maintaining a formal tone also involves using precise and sophisticated language. Avoid colloquial expressions and slang, and strive for clarity and precision in your writing. This helps to convey your ideas effectively and professionally.
Conclusion
The conclusion of a literary essay should restate the thesis in light of the evidence presented in the body paragraphs. This reinforces the main argument and shows how the analysis has supported the thesis. The conclusion can also offer some final insights or reflections on the significance of the analysis.
For example, a conclusion might restate the thesis like this:
“In ‘Heading Home,’ the imagery of dying birds poignantly illustrates the emotional and psychological toll of war on returning soldiers, revealing how their experiences have irrevocably changed them.”
The conclusion can also suggest broader implications or potential areas for further study. For instance, you might consider how the themes explored in the poem relate to other works of literature or historical events. This helps to situate your analysis within a larger context and underscores the importance of the work.
Practical Tips for Writing a Literary Essay
Start with a Close Reading
Begin by reading the text closely and taking detailed notes. Pay attention to recurring themes, symbols, and motifs, as well as any literary devices used by the author. Annotate the text and highlight passages that seem significant or relevant to your thesis.
Develop a Clear Thesis
Craft a clear and arguable thesis statement that goes beyond mere observation. Ensure that your thesis provides a roadmap for your analysis and makes a specific, interpretive claim about the text.
Organize Your Essay
Create an outline to organize your essay. Plan the structure of your body paragraphs and decide which elements of the text you will analyze in each paragraph. This helps to ensure a logical flow and coherent argument.
Use Textual Evidence
Support your analysis with textual evidence. Use direct quotes and specific examples from the text to back up your claims. Make sure to explain how the evidence supports your thesis.
Revise and Edit
After writing your first draft, take the time to revise and edit your essay. Check for clarity, coherence, and consistency. Ensure that your analysis is well-supported and that your writing is clear and concise. Proofread for grammatical and typographical errors.
Seek Feedback
Consider seeking feedback from peers, instructors, or writing centers. A fresh perspective can help identify areas for improvement and provide suggestions for enhancing the overall quality of your essay.
Conclusion
Writing a literary essay involves analyzing a piece of literature to uncover its deeper meanings and themes. By selecting a specific element of the text to focus on, crafting a clear thesis, and supporting your analysis with textual evidence, you can create a compelling and insightful essay. Maintaining a formal tone, avoiding plot summary, and organizing your essay effectively are crucial for producing high-quality work. With careful reading, thorough analysis, and thoughtful writing, you can produce a literary essay that offers valuable insights into the text and demonstrates your understanding of the literature.