How To There is a literary analysis to be written.
A literary analysis is the process of reading a literary work closely to figure out how the author gets their main points across.After taking notes on the text and reading it carefully, you can begin to develop and outline your argument.Before you turn it in or send it on, make sure the analysis is written according to your outline.
Step 1: As you read through the text, write down your ideas.
The first time you read through your text, take notes on things that stand out, such as the main conflict, the characters' motives, and the setting.There are pieces of the text that seem interesting.Is the author making a big statement in one section?Is they suddenly being more pragmatic?Make a note of that section."War is peace" is one of the main quotes from George Orwell's novel 1984.Slavery is freedom.Ignorance is strength.The Party's main slogan is important to the story because it is the only political party in the country.It's a good idea to use a certain color to highlight the statement.It's easier to spot the statement because you can analyze where, when and why Orwell is repeating it.
Step 2: Write down the literary devices the author uses.
The author uses literary devices to tell a story.They could include imagery, metaphors, allusions, allegories, repetition, flashback, foreshadowing, and any number of other devices the author uses to write the story or poem.The author uses vivid language to create mental pictures.The tone of the work can be set.In George Orwell's novel 1984, the fourth paragraph is about how the world looked cold outside.There were little eddies of wind down in the street, and though the sun was shining and the sky a harsh blue, there seemed to be no colour in anything except the posters that were plastered everywhere.You get a sense of the world being very cold from this short text.
Step 3: The author seems to be expressing some key themes.
The author seems to be repeating themes throughout the text.They can be things like religion, government, good versus evil, authority, social structure, coming-of-age, war, education, or human rights.It's easier to see examples of the themes as you read them if you identify them as early as possible.War, authority, and social structure are some of the themes that Orwell focused on in 1984.
Step 4: The form of the work is important.
The form talks about how the text is constructed.It can mean how the work is divided in a long work.Look at the line breaks, the shape of the poem, and even the negative space the writer uses in a poem.The form the author chose helps present the ideas.Think about how the form and content relate to each other.They might be in tension with each other.The writer might use the form to draw attention to the unknown or unanswered questions because a poem often contains less information than a novel.
Step 5: Take into account the historical context of the work.
The time period and location where the author is writing will affect the text.The author lived in the time period the novel was written in.After WWII, 1984 came out, when fascists were threatening to take over the globe.In order to warn against the advancement of totalitarianism from the political left or right, Orwell had witnessed the problems of fascist regimes in places like Spain.
Step 6: The author's purpose in writing the text should be decided.
There are several reasons for an author to write a text.You have to identify at least one of them.If you can back up the evidence from the text, you don't have to worry about what you choose.Look at the historical context of the novel, as well as the author's themes, in order to identify their purpose.You can read other analyses and reviews of the text.One of Orwell's main purposes in writing 1984 was to show how if citizens don't keep their government in check, it can lead to a totalitarian government where every movement and thought is scrutinized.
Step 7: The author's main purpose is shown in the brainstorm.
One of the author's main purposes is to connect the notes you took on the text.The author is using these devices to make a point."War is peace" is a slogan.Slavery is freedom.You get an introduction to the author's purpose.In the novel, citizens in this society are required to swallow conflicting statements from the government without question, a concept known as "doublethink."
Step 8: Focus on the topic of your argument.
The main purpose of the story should be exemplified by one element.Think about what makes that topic stand out to you.Why does it matter?Maybe you want to focus on how imagery sets up the tone for the novel 1984.Why is that important?Orwell would have had difficulty setting up a believable world for the reader without that imagery.
Step 9: Do you want to write a thesis statement?
The main idea of the paper is the thesis statement.To let your readers know what you plan to argue, you should cover your basic argument.The main idea of the work should be connected to a specific way the author shows it."In 1984 Orwell's use of imagery to establish a bleak and dreary world is key to bringing home his theme that totalitarianism is something to be avoided at all costs."
Step 10: From the beginning to the end, organize your argument.
How you organize your essay is up to you.If you want to go through the book in order, you need to provide your evidence at the beginning and end.You could begin the work with a historical introduction to provide context.It is possible to present the most important part of the argument first and then work from there.
Step 11: The main ideas or paragraphs should be set up.
Each main idea you want to cover in your essay, as well as your introduction and conclusion, should be written in a Roman numeral.The main idea should be written next to the Roman numeral.You could write: I.The introduction II.Provide information about 1984 III.The author has a main theme.The conclusion is how imagery helps create the theme V.
Step 12: In each paragraph, add the main points you want to cover.
Under each Roman numeral, use letters and Arabic numerals to go into more detail about what you want to cover.You can cover the basics or be very specific.It will be easier to write an essay if you are more specific.It might look like this: I.The introduction A.In 1984 Orwell's use of imagery to establish a bleak and dreary world is key to bringing home his theme that totalitarianism is something to be avoided at all costs.I.Provide information about 1984 A.Discuss World War II B.Bring up Orwell's experiences in Spain.Work 2 was influenced by the experiences of fascists.Feared totalitarianism on the right and left.The author's main theme is A.There is a warning against totalitarianism.The party is in complete control.Even for thoughts 3, there is no privacy.This was the conclusion of a complete totalitarianism.Determine how imagery helps create the theme A.The book begins with bleak imagery.A feeling of the world falling apart is created by the description of urban decay.When there are experiences with Julia, the purpose of main imagery is re-established.
Step 13: Give a couple of introductory sentences to each topic.
At the beginning of the paragraph, give a short introduction to each point you make.The idea is established by this.The idea can be connected to the rest of the text.You could say, "From the very beginning of the novel, Orwell establishes that this world is bleak and dreary, one that no one would want to live in."The whole essay is where you must draw your argument out.The main thesis of the essay is connected with each paragraph you add.Your reader sees the overall point you're making when you do that.
Step 14: You can back up your points with quotes from the text.
When you're writing a literary analysis, you have to show your reader where you found the evidence.You need to add a quote or paraphrase the text to back up your assertion.Good quotes can be found by going over your annotations.Explain how the quote supports your point.Make sure your analysis takes up at least as much space as the quote."From the very beginning of the novel, Orwell establishes that this world is bleak and dreary, one that no one would want to live in."There were little eddies of wind down in the street, and though the sun was shining and the sky a harsh blue, there seemed to be no colour in anything except the posters that were plastered everywhere.Proper citations should be provided for the text.
Step 15: The main point you're making is supported by your evidence.
You need to know why the point you're making is important with this step.The evidence you give relates to your main argument.To complete the paragraph after the quote, you could write "This world is harsh to inhabitants, cold and foreboding, without even color to break up the monotony."Orwell uses passages like these to establish that this world could be the future, a harsh reality with no escape into fantasy or pleasantries, and a bright, sunny day doesn't even provide a reprieve from this bleakness.
Step 16: Write your introduction.
You should fill in your introduction if you haven't already.Part of your introduction should be your main thesis, but you should also introduce the main points you want to make throughout the essay, as well as the work itself.Your introduction should draw your reader in.Imagine a world where every facial expression, every movement, and every word you say is scrutinized by the government.Anyone who steps out of line is punished harshly.George Orwell's point in writing 1984 was to create a picture of a future where citizens are controlled by a government and no one would want to live in it.Orwell's use of imagery to establish a bleak and dreary world is a key part of his theme that totalitarianism is something to be avoided at all costs.The political climate of the time, which was World War II, drove this point home for him.
Step 17: You should create your conclusion.
You need to tie your argument up neatly in the conclusion.They can see how everything meshes together.For Orwell, the fact that the world could be headed towards totalitarianism was disastrous.Even if it came from the right or left, every citizen should fight against that fate.In his novel, Orwell shows the logical conclusion of a world controlled by totalitarianism, and it's through the literary device of imagery that he draws the reader into that world.The reader will want no part of a government that could make them feel bad in that dreary world.
Step 18: Make sure your argument makes sense.
If you can't read through your essay, try to read something else.Is it possible to follow the argument with just the assertions, evidence, and analysis?Go back through and fill in any blanks you can.If your friend can follow it, you can ask them to read it.
Step 19: Phrases like "I think" or "In my opinion" should be taken out.
You may be hesitant about your analysis when writing a literary essay.Everyone is!Leave out these phrases when you present your argument.It signals to the reader that you aren't confident in what you're doing.
Step 20: If you want to proofread your essay, read it loud.
You should check your spellcheck yourself if you see any mistakes.You can catch more mistakes in the text if you read it loud.You may notice that some words are wrong or that the sentence structure is a little funky.
Step 21: Let someone else read it.
It's always good to have another set of eyes.Ask your friends, parents, and classmates to look over your essay to make sure you don't make any mistakes.