Literature Question

LITERARY ANALYSIS FORMAT

General Format Expectations

MLA (Modern Language Association) heading required for all assignments.

Original title required: center title

Introduction

Begin by establishing the context of your analysis. Include the authors first and last

name, the title of the work you are analyzing, and any needed information that will help

to preview your thesis and thematic statements.

You may choose to include any of the following: summary of the work; definition of

terms used in the thesis statement; background information about the author;

historical, social, or political context; quotation from a scholar, writer, literary critic,

ideas discussed in class; anecdote; summary of literary criticism about the work. You

may choose other options.

The thesis statement should be placed at the end of the introduction this will have the

who, the what, and the how. It should clearly and concisely state the main point of the

essay.

Body Paragraphs

A minimum of three body paragraphs is required for your literary analysis.

Each body paragraph should start with a topic sentence that states the main idea of that

paragraph.

The sentences that follow should be supporting sentences that give examples and

details from the literary work and from the research information you have collected.

Explain how you interpret these examples and research information. This is how you

analyze the literary work.

Use transitions to unify your sentences and paragraphs.

Concluding Paragraph

Begin by restating your thesis.

The conclusion should answer the so what question. I have written a paper analyzing a

literary work. So what? How does it relate to the real world?

Use the following questions to assist you in writing your conclusion:

o What does the analysis reveal about human nature?

o Is there a relevant point (moral) to the work?

o What implications does the work make about human behavior and human

relationships?

You can also choose to explain the importance of the work:

o The contribution the work makes to literature.

o The influence of the work on future writers.

o The value of the work according to the critics.

Reminders

Write in present tense except when quoting from the work.

Write in third person (do not use I, we, or you).

Do not use contractions or abbreviations.

You must include quoted examples from the literary work.

You must include research information to support your views. (MLA format required for

all in-text citations)

Use literary terms to discuss your points (i.e., plot, character, theme, setting, rhyme,

point of view, alliteration, symbols, imagery, figurative language, protagonist, and so

forth).

Avoid summarizing the plot. Assume your reader is very familiar with the work.

Support your points with many quotations and paraphrases but write the majority of

your paper in your own words with your own ideas.

Attach an MLA Works Cited page to all of your assignments. This should include all of

your research sources including the main source the literary work or works you

analyzed. (Your instructor will provide you with MLA Works Cited Guidelines)

Any assignment that does not include in-text citations or a Works Cited page will

receive a grade of F.

This assignment will showcase your ability to write a critical literary analysis essay that

incorporates scholarship to interpret and discuss the attributes of a primary literary work.

Instructions

The Critical Literary Analysis is a 3 to 4-page essay which focuses on a single work of

literature, contains no less than three scholarly articles/secondary sources of support, and

engages a sustained, cogent, and organized discussion.

The essay should have well-developed body paragraphs and citation of all borrowed material;

include an effective conclusion which clearly indicates the path of development taken in the

essay and informs the reader of the strategies/resources used to develop and support the

thesis; be completed as a Microsoft Word document and submitted as an attachment on or

before the posted due date. All essays submitted must meet these minimum assignment

requirements.

Access and download the Literary Analysis Format.

Your assignment is worth 120 points and will be evaluated using the the attached rubric.

Rubric

Critical Analysis Essay Rubric

Critical Analysis Essay Rubric

Criteria Ratings Pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeFocus

20 pts

Excellent

Exceptional thesis and focus: specifically detailed and maintained; the author and work(s) to be

covered are fully identified; the literary conventions are applied and specific points are

developed in the essay; paragraph focus is maintained throughout, and there is a clear pattern

of progression and thesis development; there is a commitment to an arguable assertion; the

essay is clearly articulated from a 3rd person POV. Nearly Perfect!

17 pts

Very Good

Thesis/focus is clear, maintained, insightful, and has sustained development. Paragraph focus is

nearly always maintained.

15 pts

Above Average

Thesis is clear, maintained, and fairly insightful, and has an arguable assertion. In various places,

paragraph focus is not clear or maintained.

12 pts

Average

Thesis could exhibit greater evidence of critical thinking and reflection. In many areas, the

paragraph focus is not clear or maintained.

10 pts

Below Average

Thesis is clear but lacks commitment to an arguable assertion. Paragraph focus is not clear or

maintained.

5 pts

Meets Minimal Assignment Requirements

Effort is made, but thesis, and focus do not demonstrate college-level writing.

0 pts

Does not Meet Assignment Requirements / No Submission

Thesis and paragraphs lack focus; fail to follow assignment instructions, and/or nothing is

submitted.

20 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeDevelopment

20 pts

Excellent

Details are specific, concrete, and unique; they convey the focus and are appropriate to the

audience; appeals are insightful, adequate, and appropriate; there is analysis of details; use of

primary and secondary sources is exemplary. NEARLY PERFECT!

17 pts

Very Good

For the most part, details are specific, concrete, and unique; they convey the focus and are

appropriate to the audience; appeals are insightful, adequate, and appropriate; there is analysis

of details; sufficient use of primary and secondary sources exists.

15 pts

Above Average

Some details are vague or inappropriate to the focus and audience; the use of appeals could be

strengthened; more analysis of details from the primary and secondary sources would

strengthen the composition.

12 pts

Average

In many areas, the details are vague or inappropriate to the focus or audience; the use of

appeals is weak; there is an insufficient use details from the primary and secondary sources;

analysis falls short of expectations.

10 pts

Below Average

Details and appeals, when used, are vague; incorporation of details from the primary and

secondary sources is disjointed, unfocused, and/or underwhelming. Argument lacks sufficient

evidence.

5 pts

Meets Minimal Assignment Requirements

Effort is made, but the development, analysis, and/or focus do not demonstrate college-level

writing.

0 pts

Does not Meet Assignment Requirements / No Submission

Lacks sufficient development and detail; fails to follow assignment instructions, and/or nothing

is submitted.

20 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeOrganization

20 pts

Excellent

There is a logical progression from one section to another (coherence) and from sentence to

sentence (cohesion); organizational plan helps convey the focus; tense is maintained, and shifts

are warranted. NEARLY PERFECT!

17 pts

Very Good

For the most part, there is a logical progression from one section to another (coherence) and

from sentence to sentence (cohesion); organizational plan helps convey the focus; tense is

maintained, and shifts are warranted.

15 pts

Above Average

There are a couple of problems with coherence and cohesion; organizational plan is sometimes

ineffective; tense is sometimes inconsistent; some info. redundant or repeated.

12 pts

Average

There are many coherence and cohesion problems; organizational plan is ineffective; shifts in

tense are noticeable and cause confusion; many ideas overlap.

10 pts

Below Average

There are large gaps in coherence and cohesion; organizational plan is illogical; shifts in tense

disrupt reading.

5 pts

Meets Minimal Assignment Requirements

Effort is made, but there is a lack of organizational structure, coherence, and/or cohesion;

college level writing is not demonstrated.

0 pts

Does not Meet Assignment Requirements / No Submission

Lacks sufficient organization; fails to follow assignment instructions, and/or nothing is

submitted.

20 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeStyle

20 pts

Excellent

Essay demonstrates varied sentence pattern and length, specific and evocative diction; it avoids

casual and colloquial language and slang; it is a good example of scholarly academic writing.

NEARLY PERFECT!

17 pts

Very Good

For the most part, essay demonstrates varied sentence pattern and length, specific and

evocative diction; it avoids casual and colloquial language and slang; it shows promise as an

example of scholarly academic writing.

15 pts

Above Average

There is some sentence variety and some specific and evocative diction, but the level of diction

and overall composition falls just short of scholarly academic writing.

12 pts

Average

The elementary sentence structure and lack of formal and evocative diction cause the paper to

appear to be a work in progress or a written version of a conversation. Needs editing to

become an example of solid academic writing

10 pts

Below Average

The essay checks some of the boxes but falls short of expectations concerning level of diction

and composition; more time spent crafting and editing is necessary.

5 pts

Meets Minimal Assignment Requirements

Essay fails to meet a majority of the criteria for college level diction and composition; contains

slang and/or casual colloquial language.

0 pts

Does not Meet Assignment Requirements / No Submission

Does not demonstrate elements of style; fails to follow assignment instructions, and/or nothing

is submitted.

20 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeGrammar

20 pts

Excellent

There are very few if any sentence boundary or agreement issues; there are very few if any

modification problems; there are no careless errors. NEARLY PERFECT!

17 pts

Very Good

There are very few sentence boundary and agreement issues; there are very few if any

modification problems; some errors in spelling and punctuation errors exist.

15 pts

Above Average

There are a few sentence boundary and agreement issues as well as some spelling,

punctuation, and modification problems.

12 pts

Average

There are some sentence boundary and agreement issues, several spelling and punctuation

errors, and several problems concerning modification.

10 pts

Below Average

There are recurring sentence boundary and Subject/Verb agreement errors, many spelling and

punctuation errors, and many problems with modification. Does not demonstrate college-level

writing.

5 pts

Meets Minimal Assignment Requirements

Essay fails to meet a majority of the assignment requirements; major errors impede clarity and

development; does not contain college level writing.

0 pts

Does not Meet Assignment Requirements / No Submission

fails to follow assignment instructions, and/or nothing is submitted.

20 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeMLA Format

20 pts

Excellent

Essay demonstrates the correct use and format of parenthetical citations and a perfect works

cited page; use of secondary sources satisfies instructions, is appropriate, and contributes to

the argument.

17 pts

Very Good

Essay demonstrates the correct use and format of parenthetical citations and a perfect works

cited page; use of secondary sources satisfies instructions but could be strengthened.

15 pts

Above Average

A few mistakes in use of parenthetical citations and works cited page exist; use of secondary

sources is somewhat effective but is limited in its contribution.

12 pts

Average

Numerous mistakes exist; prior preparation concerning MLA form was needed and MLA format

should be reviewed; use of secondary sources has potential but does not satisfy requirements

and expectations.

10 pts

Below Average

MLA format is far from meeting expectations and/or the use of research is not appropriate for

the scope and depth of the assignment.

5 pts

Meets Minimal Assignment Requirements

MLA format does meet requirements and/or the use of research is either missing, or

inappropriate for the scope and depth of the assignment.

0 pts

Does not Meet Assignment Requirements / No Submission

Does not contain required sources and/or MLA citation; fails to follow assignment instructions,

and/or nothing is submitted.

20 pts

Total Points: 120

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