A step-by-step guide to literary analysis
Published on January 30, 2020 by Jack Caulfield. Revised on February 5, 2021.
Literary analysis means closely studying a text, interpreting its meanings, and exploring why the author made certain choices. It can be applied to novels, short stories, plays, poems, or any other form of literary writing.
A literary analysis essay is not a rhetorical analysis, nor is it just a summary of the plot or a book review. Instead, it is a type of argumentative essay where you need to analyze elements such as the language, perspective, and structure of the text, and explain how the author uses literary devices to create effects and convey ideas.
Before beginning a literary analysis essay, it’
- An introduction that tells the reader what your essay will focus on.
- A main body, divided into paragraphs, that builds an argument using evidence from the text.
- A conclusion that clearly states the main point that you have shown with your analysis.
What is a Critical Analysis Essay?
Imagine that you receive an assignment to write a critical analysis essay in a short period. Does it cause panic in you? If YES, you are on the way to the best solution to this issue.
That is why college and high school lecturers assign this type of written task quite often. It may be confused with a report as a critical essay also deals with books, articles, movies, or even paintings.
A good critical analysis provides the reader with a profound evaluation of the piece and reflects its positive and negative aspects. Want to learn how to write successful critical analysis essay quickly? Follow our special guide created with the help of several professional writers and lecturers of different scientific fields and be at the top!
Once you have identified the flaws in your text, take a few hours to revise your work and make the necessary amendments until your text is perfect. In Orwell’s Animal Farm, rhetoric and language prove to be more effective ways to keep social control than physical power.✏️ Analysis Essay FAQ
A great analytical paper should be well-structured, cohesive, and logically consistent. Each part of the essay should be in its place, creating a smooth and easy-to-read text. Most importantly, the statements should be objective and backed by arguments and examples.
It is a paper devoted to analyzing a certain topic or subject. An analysis essay is all about reviewing certain details of the subject and interpreting them. For example, such an analysis for a poem includes a description of artistic means that helped the poet convey the idea.
Writing an analytical essay on a book/movie/poem start with an outline. Point out what catches the eye when reviewing the subject. See how these details can be interpreted. Make sure that you refer to the main idea/message. Add an appropriate introduction and a logical conclusion.
Being more analytical in writing can be essential for a student. This is a skill that can be self-taught: try to start noticing subtle details and describe them. As you write, interpret the facts and strive to draw conclusions. Try to be as objective as possible.
The key to writing an analysis paper is to choose an argument that you will defend throughout it. For example: maybe you are writing a critical analysis paper on George Orwell’s Animal Farm The first and imperative task is to think about your thesis statement. In the case of Animal Farm, the argument could be: