Literary Analysis

Outline/Rough Draft Worksheet

Introduction

Be sure that your intro includes the following information:

Title of work: ______

Author’s name: ______

(For the first reference, use the author’s first and last names; for all subsequent references, use the last name only)

Interpretation:

The interpretation you have chosen to defend in your essay. The chosen interpretation must be one that you can see as a pattern in the work: ______

______

Three main points #1 ______

#2 ______

#3 ______

Thesis Statement (interpretation + three main points): ______

______

______

______

Persuasive Support in Body Paragraphs

In the body of the paper, defend your thesis using specific statements about the literary work. Defend your three main points with around three facts or quotes from the literary work. Use plot summary only on a very limited basis, and always speak in the present tense in the summary. Assume your reader has read the work.

1st Body Paragraph Topic: ______

Summary, Quote or Fact #1 ______

#2 ______

#3 ______

2nd Body Paragraph Topic: ______

Summary, Quote or Fact #1 ______

#2 ______

#3 ______

3rd Body Paragraph Topic: ______

Summary, Quote or Fact #1 ______

#2 ______

#3 ______

Conclusion:

In your closing, reflect on your thesis and the three key points you have made in the essay. Do not bring in any new points.

Works Cited:

Document the literary work and any outside sources on a separate Works Cited page. MLA rules apply.

Blending Quotes

Quoted material should be blended with your own words in a way that is easy for the reader to follow and that supports your thesis.

Quotes CANNOT stand alone.

Never refer to the quote itself (This quote says…or, In this quote you will see…).

Include page numbers for all quoted material.

Present Tense Verbs

Always use present tense verbs for summary. List 4 present tense verbs used in your paper:

1. ______2. ______3. ______4. ______