Option 1: The "traditional" literary analysis essay
A literary analysis is an argumentative response where you form an opinion about a literary work, and then present that opinion (supporting it with evidence from the text) in the form of a traditional academic essay. In your essay, you will want to focus on your answer to the essential question, supporting it with big ideas from the text including theme, symbolism, conflict, and tone, as well as literary devices and elements. Click HERE to access the exemplar and helpful hints.
Required Elements for the "traditional" literary analysis
Develops a thesis statement that focuses your ideas into a single sentences. It should present the purpose of your paper and also make a comment about your opinion as it relates to the purpose. Your thesis statement should tell your reader what the paper is about and also help guide your writing and keep your argument focused.
Analyzes the impact of the author’s choices as it relates to the essential question. Analyzes how an author’s choices contribute to its overall structure and meaning as well as its aesthetic impact. Remember, an analysis is an opportunity to "take apart" a story and figure out how its elements make the story work. It is not a summary of the text.
Integrates three meaningful quotes, and explain how that evidence helps us understand how Jeannette Walls' upbringing shapes who she becomes. What does it infer, suggest, symbolize, etc? Cites quotes properly using MLA format and synthesizes them into the conversation effectively.
Required Elements for the "traditional" literary analysis
Develops a thesis statement that focuses your ideas into a single sentences. It should present the purpose of your paper and also make a comment about your opinion as it relates to the purpose. Your thesis statement should tell your reader what the paper is about and also help guide your writing and keep your argument focused.
Analyzes the impact of the author’s choices as it relates to the essential question. Analyzes how an author’s choices contribute to its overall structure and meaning as well as its aesthetic impact. Remember, an analysis is an opportunity to "take apart" a story and figure out how its elements make the story work. It is not a summary of the text.
Integrates three meaningful quotes, and explain how that evidence helps us understand how Jeannette Walls' upbringing shapes who she becomes. What does it infer, suggest, symbolize, etc? Cites quotes properly using MLA format and synthesizes them into the conversation effectively.
Option 2: The "creative" one pager analysis
A one-pager is an analytical, creative, and written response to a text that completely fills one side of a piece of paper. For your one-pager, you will want to focus on the big ideas from the text including theme, symbolism, conflict, and tone, as well as literary devices and elements. Click HERE to access the exemplar and helpful hints.
Required Elements for the "creative" one pager analysis
Integrates three meaningful quotes, and explain how that evidence helps us understand how Jeannette Walls' upbringing shapes who she becomes. What does it infer, suggest, symbolize, etc? Cites quotes properly using MLA format.
Asks three “analytical” questions that examine the author's choice within the text. Answers each of the three questions thoroughly with a quote that is introduced, cited, and explained. Cites evidence uses to answer this question using proper MLA format.
Develops three drawn images that represent the text (theme, symbols, characters, conflicts, etc) and includes a label for each image.
Incorporates one of the following elements:
Integrates three meaningful quotes, and explain how that evidence helps us understand how Jeannette Walls' upbringing shapes who she becomes. What does it infer, suggest, symbolize, etc? Cites quotes properly using MLA format.
Asks three “analytical” questions that examine the author's choice within the text. Answers each of the three questions thoroughly with a quote that is introduced, cited, and explained. Cites evidence uses to answer this question using proper MLA format.
Develops three drawn images that represent the text (theme, symbols, characters, conflicts, etc) and includes a label for each image.
Incorporates one of the following elements:
- Figurative Language - Identify and illustrate three examples of figurative language. Each example must include a quote, an illustration, and a one-sentence explanation that connects the language with our essential question.
- Timeline - Create a timeline with ten critical events. The timeline must be linear or follow the plot diagram. Each event must be a complete sequence, and should explain how each event relates to our essential question.
- Song - Incorporate song lyrics that connect to the text. Write out the song lyrics, and include the title, artist, and include a 2-3 sentence explanation of how the song is related to the book and our essential question.
- Setting - Illustrate a setting from the book that is detailed, accurate, and full-color. Provide three quotes from the book to support the illustration, and explain how it helps address our essential question.
- Theory of Poverty - Incorporate the definition from one theory of poverty, and explicitly connect it to the author's experiences. Feel free to craft an argument showing how the theory directly impacts her, or how she is able to overcome the obstacles described in the theory.
Rubric
Write Informative/Explanatory Texts (Power Objective #4)
Advanced
|
Proficient
Cites strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. Analyzes the impact of the author’s choices regarding how to develop and relate elements of a story and the essential question. Analyzes how an author’s choices contribute to its overall structure and meaning as well as its aesthetic impact. Makes personal, societal, and ethical connections that deepen understanding of complex text. |
In Progress
Cites textual evidence to support analysis, but may have minor errors. Explains the author’s choices and how they contribute to overall structure or meaning as it relates to the essential question. Can determine explicit meanings, but not implicit. Explains the impact of literary devices on content but not on style. Attempts to make personal, societal, and ethical connections that deepen understanding of complex text. |
Not Met
Cites textual evidence but does not provide analysis. Attempts to explain author’s choices, but does not successfully relate to story or the essential question. Does not demonstrate how the author’s choices contribute to the overall structure or meaning of the text, and does not explain the impact of the devices on content. Does not make personal, societal, and ethical connections that deepen understanding of complex text. |
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English when writing (Power Objective #7)
Advanced
Demonstrates a superior command of the conventions of standard English, including capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. Varies syntax for a masterful effect, consulting references for guidance as needed. |
Proficient
Demonstrates command of the conventions of standard English, including capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. Varies syntax for effect, consulting references for guidance as needed. |
In Progress
Demonstrates an understanding of the conventions of standard English, including capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing; may have minor errors. Attempts to vary syntax for effect, consulting references for guidance as needed. |
Not Met
Attempts to show understanding of the conventions of standard English, including capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing; may have major errors. Does not vary syntax for effect, or consult reference for guidance as needed. |