Unit 2: Extended Writing Project

Because a literary analysis makes a claim about themes in literature or the central ideas in informative texts, it is a form of argumentative writing.

To make his or her argument effective, the writer of a literary analysis must provide supporting details in the form of reasons and relevant textual evidence to add credibility to the claim.

Reasons are statements that answer the question “Why?”

Relevant evidence includes definitions, quotations, observations, and examples from the text or texts being analyzed.

The introduction is the opening paragraph or section of a literary analysis or other nonfiction text.

The introduction of a literary analysis identifies the texts or the topic to be discussed, states the writer’s claim, and previews the supporting evidence that will appear in the body of the text.

In a literary analysis, the introduction is the section in which the writer identifies the texts or topic to be discussed.

The claim is a direct statement of the writer’s opinion about or interpretation of the texts under discussion.

Another use of the introduction is to provide a preview of the supporting evidence that will follow in the body of the text.

The introduction’s “hook” leaves readers with a first impression about what to expect from the writer.

Analysis/Explanation: After presenting evidence, you should explain how the evidence helps support your topic sentence—and general claim—about the text or texts.

Certain transition words and phrases indicate specific organizational relationships within a text.

Chronological order: first, then, next, finally, before, after, when,
following, and within a few years

The conclusion should briefly summarize the strongest and most convincing reasons and evidence from the body paragraphs.

Sources are the texts that writers use to research their writing.

A primary source is a firsthand account of thoughts or events by the individual who experienced or witnessed them.

A secondary source analyzes and interprets primary sources.

Citations are notes that provide information about the source texts.

Whether sources are primary or secondary, they must be credible and accurate.

Whether sources are primary or secondary, they must be credible and accurate.