Aliterary analysis essay has ome important structural features with which it pays to be acquainted. Here’s a
summary:
The Thesis
A literary essay is an argument for the essayist’s interpretation of a story. The essayist states this interpretation in a very
limited, very specific sentence called
the thesis statement. The rest of the essay will be written to prove the truth of
this statement. It is therefore crucial that
the thesis be clear, arguable and unambiguous. The thesis is located at the end
of the essay’s first paragraph (the thesis
paragraph).
Thesis Paragraph
The thesis paragraph should begin with
a relatively broad statement of the essay’s
topic that makes a claim on the reader’s
interest. It should then give some context for the essay’s argument, narrowing
its focus to a specific area of the topic.
Finally, the thesis paragraph should end
with the thesis statement itself. Since
it proceeds from general to specific (or
broad to narrow), it is helpful to think of
a thesis paragraph as an inverted triangle
(see diagram on the next page).
Body or Argument Paragraphs
The body of the essay consists of two or
more paragraphs laying out evidence for
the truth of the thesis. Each paragraph
contains two elements:
• Textual evidence in support of the the-
sis (either direct quotes or references
to the text).
• Interpretation by the essayist explaining exactly how this evidence supports
the thesis.
Each body paragraph presents no more
than one argument or idea in support
of the thesis. The number of arguments
developed by the essayist determines
the number of body paragraphs the essay should contain. Skilled essayists often arrange their arguments in a logical
order with the strongest at the end for
maximum rhetorical effect.
Conclusion Paragraph
The conclusion of a literary essay
should accomplish T WO goals:
• Restate the thesis
• Suggest implications of the thesis
The conclusion should begin with a
simple restatement of the essay’s argu-
ment, though not necessarily in the same
words as were used in the thesis para-
graph. It should then proceed to explain
why the thesis is significant to the topic
and what its consequences are for readers
interested in the topic. Finally, it should
make a broad, general statement about
the topic, locating the argument and its
consequences in a larger context. Since
it proceeds from specific to general (or
narrow to broad), it is helpful to think
of a conclusion paragraph as an upright
triangle, or a mirror image of the thesis
paragraph (see diagram).
The “Tootsie-Roll” Diagram
Students can remember the basic parts
of a literary essay by putting these three
images together to form a “Tootsie-Roll,”
as follows:
On the following page is an example
of an essay using these components in an
analysis of Lynd Ward’s classic children’s
story The Biggest Bear. This essay was
written in response to questions 11a and
13a from the Socratic List: “Is the pro-
tagonist changed in his mind or heart by
the events of the story?” “Does the story
seem to deal with a universal theme?”
Writing from Literature: Tips for
Teaching the Analytical Essay
Thesis Paragraph –
begins with broad statement of
topic, then narrows to focus on
specific argument. Ends with thesis
statement. General to specific.
Body Paragraphs –
contain one argument
each, with strongest
argument last. Each
paragraph contains
references from the text
and an explanation of
each reference.
Conclusion Paragraph –
begins with thesis statement, then
broadens to suggest implications of
thesis. Specific to general.
