Assignment: For your second essay in this class, you will create and support an argument
about a piece of literature. For this assignment, you will analyze either poetry or prose.
Specifics: 3-4 pages, double spaced, 1” margins, 12 pt font, Times New Roman
When writing this essay, you’ll have more tools at your disposal to use, such as imagery,
language, theme, characterization, etc. Rhetorical concepts such as ethos, pathos, logos may
also help you formulate an argument about a piece of literature. Here are a few questions to
consider about analyzing a piece of literature:
• What is this story/poem about?
• What are some of the noticeable features? (tone, diction, theme, imagery, etc.)
• What is the main point/argument you want to make about the piece?
• What are some examples from the piece that will support your argument?
An analysis of poetry may tackle the imagery found in the piece. Is there a reoccurring image
that transcends the text or story, and speaks to a larger state of the world, of humanity? For
example, if a poet keeps returning to images of birds, literally or metaphorically, can that be
argued as a statement about escapism?
Or, an analysis may examine connection between the form and content of the poem. Is the way
the poem is written reflective of the theme? Say, do short, choppy sentences add to the image
of a speeding train, or a car accident? Does an overuse of punctuation (or lack thereof) reflect a
theme of chaos, or lack of control?
An analysis of a short story might identify theme(s)—the struggles of marriage, paranoia in a
post-9/11 society, etc.—through characterization or point of view. Does a character speak or
act negatively toward/about women? If so, is the author making a larger statement about
misogyny? Is this reflective of the place where the story takes place? Or, an analysis may show
how the author hints at theme through the narrator’s point of view. Are the thoughts or
interactions of the protagonist an examination of the process of growing up? How does this
speak to the reader?
A successful Literary Analysis will:
• Give a brief description of the piece(s) studied, information about the author, followed
by a clear thesis in which you state your argument about the story/poem.
• Provide examples from the piece, as well as outside sources (if needed), that support
your argument.
• Analyze the audience targeted in the story/poem: who might this resonate with most?
• Analyze the context of the story/poem: what cultural phenomena/current event are
referenced.
• Consider a variety of other possible interpretations of the story/poem (acknowledge
that there’s not only one way to read the piece.) Course objectives emphasized in this
assignment:
• Engage in writing as a recursive process
• Develop essays around a specific purpose
• Explore the nature of academic discourse and examine what counts as evidence in
academic writing
