Question

How do I write a literary analysis?

Answer 1

Answer:

At my school we teach a method called T.E.A.: Topic Sentence-Evidence-Analysis. I have also seen this method called P.E.E.: Point-Example-Explanation.

In your topic sentence, you should make a claim, one that is debatable, not an easily discernible fact. Then you should give a quotation from the text that supports your point. My students often try to get away with giving a very small quotation that lacks context and the full information needed to prove their point, so don’t skimp on evidence. If the quotation contains language, syntax, or challenging ideas that your readers might not easily grasp upon first read, then you should translate what the quotation means for them (this breaking down the quotation into smaller digestible pieces is literally analysis). If the quotation presents no challenge for your reader to understand, then you should interpret your evidence in such a way that you connect it to the point that you made in your topic sentence. Avoid making claims that do not come from your evidence at all costs; failure to do so will cost you credibility. End your paragraph with a final nuance of your explanation that leaves your reader satisfied.

Best of luck!