1. ANALYZING A
TEXT
with Literary Analysis

2. WHAT IS ANALYSIS?
 An interpretation of a text
 Understanding not only what the text says, but also how it tries to
persuade its readers and influence them

3. KEY FEATURES
 SUMMARIZE THE TEXT
 Tell the reader about the main ideas of the text.
 If it is a well-known text, you do not have to have a lot of summary.
 ATTENTION TO CONTEXT
 What else is being said about the topic? Is the text itself a response to a
larger conversation?
 CLEAR INTERPRETATION/JUDGMENT
 Lead your readers through a “careful examination” of the text to show your
interpretation of the content.
 Interpret – Explain what you think the text means.
 REASONABLE SUPPORT FOR CONCLUSIONS
 Using the text to back up your claims/ideas.

4. GENERATING IDEAS
Your goal is to understand what the text says, how it works, and what it
means.
 Read the text carefully
 Annotate and take notes for yourself on the content.
 Decide what to analyze
 Don’t try to analyze the entire text. Look at one or two specific ideas that connect.
 Think about the larger context (next slide)
 Consider what you know about the writer/artist
 Do research on the author.
 Study how the text works
 How is it structured?
 Analyze the argument (next slide)
 Come up with a thesis (next slide)

5. THE LARGER CONTEXT
To consider the larger context, think about these things:
 Who else cares about the topic?
 Who is the text written for? Why should the reader care?
 Ideas presented
 What ideas does the author present? What ideas do you have based on the
text
 Terms used
 Are there any terms that you are unfamiliar with? Do the terms used show a
specific audience?
 Citations made
 Who has the author referenced?

6. ANALYZE THE ARGUMENT
 What is the claim?
 What is the paper’s thesis? What is the stance of the author?
 What support does the writer offer for the claim?
 What reason and evidence does the author supply for their argument?
 How does the writer appeal to readers?
 Appeals to emotions, logic, and character
 How evenhandedly does the writer present the argument?
 Does the writer use any logical fallacies?
 What authorities or other sources of outside information does the
writer use?
 How does the writer address you as the reader?

7. COMING UP WITH A THESIS
 In an analysis, you are arguing that a text should be read in a
certain way.
 Identify your analytical goal: how do you want the reader to
interpret the original text?
 A thesis is NOT a summary of the text.

8. Organization, Beginnings
& Endings
We will discuss this in class.
However, prepare yourselves by
looking over the chart on page 76 in
the textbook.
Beginnings – pg. 77
Endings – pg. 78

9. TAKING STOCK OF YOUR WORK
 For a “checklist” to go over before handing in a final draft, review
page 81 in your textbook.

10. Reading Assignment
For an understanding how how an
analysis works, please read William
Safire’s “A Spirit Reborn” on pages
62-64 in your textbook.

11. LITERARY ANALYSIS

12. A LITERARY ANALYSIS…
 …studies a literary text closely to understand messages, interpret
meanings, and appreciate the writer’s techniques.

13. KEY FEATURES
 ARGUABLE THESIS
 Argue for your interpretation of the text’s meaning
 CAREFUL ATTENTION TO THE LANGUAGE
 What language does the author use? How does it affect the text?
 ATTENTION TO PATTERNS OR THEMES
 CLEAR INTERPRETATION
 Support your thesis/claim by using evidence from the text itself
 Show readers one way the text may be read and understand (as you
understand it)

14. ELEMENTS OF LITERARY
ANALYSIS
 Character
 The “people” of the story. Who the plot happens to.
 Plot
 The action of the story. What events happen to drive it forward.
 Setting
 Where the story takes place; When the story takes place.

15. CAUSE & EFFECT

16. Please read…
“Ways of Organizing an Analysis of
Causes and Effects” on pages 320-
31.