Literary AnalysisLiterary AnalysisMiddle SchoolMiddle School

Creating Effective Thesis Statements Creating Effective Thesis Statements and Topic Sentences for Literary and Topic Sentences for Literary

Analysis Analysis from Laying the Foundationfrom Laying the Foundation

January 2011January 2011

What is a thesis statement?What is a thesis statement?

““A thesis statement is a sentence that A thesis statement is a sentence that expresses the writer’s position on a certain expresses the writer’s position on a certain topic. It is reasonable for the reader of a thesis topic. It is reasonable for the reader of a thesis statement to assume that it will be supported statement to assume that it will be supported by evidence” by evidence”

How do I write a literary analysis How do I write a literary analysis thesis statement?thesis statement?

Begin with quotations and details from the text Begin with quotations and details from the text As you are reading, highlight or underline important words, As you are reading, highlight or underline important words,

phrases, images , and passages, looking for phrases, images , and passages, looking for patternspatterns among among these elements. these elements.

Write questions, observations, or inferences you can later Write questions, observations, or inferences you can later use for discussion or writing.use for discussion or writing.

Use dialectical journals to help select and analyze Use dialectical journals to help select and analyze important parts of the text.important parts of the text.

After you have completed the text, browse through your After you have completed the text, browse through your annotations and/or dialectical journals. Write annotations and/or dialectical journals. Write generalizations about the text (thesis statement).generalizations about the text (thesis statement).

““Literary analysis thesis statement will address both Literary analysis thesis statement will address both the means the author uses and the meaning that the the means the author uses and the meaning that the

author createsauthor creates.”.”

In (title of work) ________________, (the In (title of work) ________________, (the author) _____________ uses (imagery, details, author) _____________ uses (imagery, details, dialogue, foreshadowing, personification, dialogue, foreshadowing, personification, metaphor, etc.) ______________________ to metaphor, etc.) ______________________ to (reveal, show, explore, portray, convey, (reveal, show, explore, portray, convey, emphasize, suggest) _________________ the emphasize, suggest) _________________ the (mood, tone, theme, purpose) ____________.(mood, tone, theme, purpose) ____________.

Examples of literary analysis thesis Examples of literary analysis thesis statementsstatements

In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare uses In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare uses foreshadowing to suggest that danger or a foreshadowing to suggest that danger or a perilous situation is near.perilous situation is near.

In the poem, “Jabberwacky” by Lewis Carroll, In the poem, “Jabberwacky” by Lewis Carroll, the author uses scary-sounding nonsense the author uses scary-sounding nonsense words to create an ominous yet humorous words to create an ominous yet humorous tone.tone.

In In Number the StarsNumber the Stars, Ellen’s Star of David , Ellen’s Star of David necklace symbolizes Annemarie’s devotion to necklace symbolizes Annemarie’s devotion to her friend and her stance against the Germans. her friend and her stance against the Germans.

Read the following poem by John MasefieldRead the following poem by John Masefield

Sea-FeverSea-Fever

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and sky,and sky,

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;

And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,white sail’s shaking,

And a gray mist on the sea’s face, and a gray dawn And a gray mist on the sea’s face, and a gray dawn breaking.breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tidethe running tide

Is a wild call and a clear call that cannot be Is a wild call and a clear call that cannot be denied,denied,

And all I ask is a windy day with the white And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,clouds flying,

And the flung spray and the blow spume and the And the flung spray and the blow spume and the sea gulls crying.sea gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,gypsy life,

To the gull’s way and the whale’s way, where the To the gull’s way and the whale’s way, where the wind’s like a whetted* knife;wind’s like a whetted* knife;

And all I ask is a merry yarn* from a laughing And all I ask is a merry yarn* from a laughing fellow-rover,fellow-rover,

And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.trick’s over.

Whetted: sharpenedWhetted: sharpened

Yarn: storyYarn: story

Fill in the blanks in the literary analysis thesis statementsFill in the blanks in the literary analysis thesis statements..

1.1. In the poem “Sea-Fever,” John Masefield uses In the poem “Sea-Fever,” John Masefield uses images connected with _______ to create a images connected with _______ to create a _________ tone._________ tone.

2.2. In the poem “Sea-Fever,” John Masefield uses In the poem “Sea-Fever,” John Masefield uses sound devices such as ______ to convey the sound devices such as ______ to convey the exhilaration and energy of a windy day at sea.exhilaration and energy of a windy day at sea.

3.3. In the poem “Sea-Fever,” the author’s choice of In the poem “Sea-Fever,” the author’s choice of adjectives conveys feelings of _____ and ___.adjectives conveys feelings of _____ and ___.

4.4. In the poem “Sea-Fever,” John Masefield creates a In the poem “Sea-Fever,” John Masefield creates a sense of adventurous freedom by using sense of adventurous freedom by using _____________________._____________________.

Topic SentencesTopic Sentences

What is a topic sentence, and how What is a topic sentence, and how does it relate to a thesis statement?does it relate to a thesis statement?

A A topic sentencetopic sentence explains or introduces one of explains or introduces one of the major points that support the writer’s thesis the major points that support the writer’s thesis statement. statement. Each body paragraph in a essay Each body paragraph in a essay must contain a topic sentence that connects all must contain a topic sentence that connects all of the information and analysis in that of the information and analysis in that paragraph to one unified idea, and each topic paragraph to one unified idea, and each topic sentence must be related directly to the thesis sentence must be related directly to the thesis statement.statement.

Selecting Topic SentencesSelecting Topic Sentences

Here is a possible literary analysis thesis Here is a possible literary analysis thesis statement for “Sea-Fever” followed by statement for “Sea-Fever” followed by possible topic sentences for the essay. possible topic sentences for the essay.

Read the thesis statement and then select the Read the thesis statement and then select the two topic sentences that best relate to the two topic sentences that best relate to the thesis statement. Find evidence from the poem thesis statement. Find evidence from the poem that supports your choice.that supports your choice.

In the poem “Sea-Fever,” John Masefield reveals his complex In the poem “Sea-Fever,” John Masefield reveals his complex attitude toward sailing by using diction, imagery, and attitude toward sailing by using diction, imagery, and

figurative language to convey the lonely but exciting life of a figurative language to convey the lonely but exciting life of a sailor.sailor.

Topic Sentences (choose two):Topic Sentences (choose two): The speaker personifies the seas as a powerful The speaker personifies the seas as a powerful

being that demands that the sailor return.being that demands that the sailor return. The poem is divided into three four-line stanzas.The poem is divided into three four-line stanzas. The speaker’s description of the solitude of the The speaker’s description of the solitude of the

sea makes the seaman’s life seem romantic.sea makes the seaman’s life seem romantic. Masefield’s use of alliteration reflects his desire Masefield’s use of alliteration reflects his desire

to return to the sea.to return to the sea.

Write an additional topic sentence Write an additional topic sentence that relates to the thesis statement.that relates to the thesis statement.

Pick one of the following literary analysis thesis statements Pick one of the following literary analysis thesis statements for an essay for “Sea-Fever.” Write two possible topic for an essay for “Sea-Fever.” Write two possible topic

sentences for the essay.sentences for the essay.

In the poem “Sea-Fever,” John Masefield In the poem “Sea-Fever,” John Masefield uses figurative language to convey his close uses figurative language to convey his close relationship with the sea and his attraction to relationship with the sea and his attraction to the sailing life. the sailing life.

In his poem “Sea-Fever,” John Masefield In his poem “Sea-Fever,” John Masefield uses emotional diction to depict his strong uses emotional diction to depict his strong feelings about the sea.feelings about the sea.

Read the following writing prompts. Choose one of the Read the following writing prompts. Choose one of the prompts. Now write one thesis statement and at least two prompts. Now write one thesis statement and at least two topic sentences that would response appropriately to the topic sentences that would response appropriately to the

prompt.prompt. Heroes have special qualities that people admire. Heroes have special qualities that people admire.

Heroes give us examples of the courage and Heroes give us examples of the courage and strength it takes to face difficult situations and strength it takes to face difficult situations and challenges in life.challenges in life.

Think of someone who is your personal hero. In a Think of someone who is your personal hero. In a well-developed composition, describe this person well-developed composition, describe this person and explain two qualities you most admire about and explain two qualities you most admire about him or her.him or her.

Write a persuasive essay stating whether the Write a persuasive essay stating whether the school day should be lengthened by two hours school day should be lengthened by two hours so that all students can get help with so that all students can get help with homework. Give at least two reasons to homework. Give at least two reasons to support your position. Remember you must support your position. Remember you must argue in such a convincing manner that others argue in such a convincing manner that others will agree with you.will agree with you.

Thesis Statement: Thesis Statement: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Topic Sentence: Topic Sentence:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Topic Sentence: Topic Sentence: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Topic Sentence: Topic Sentence: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Review an essay that you have written. Identify your thesis Review an essay that you have written. Identify your thesis statement and the topic sentences in each of your paragraphs statement and the topic sentences in each of your paragraphs

that relate to your position. Use the following outline on a that relate to your position. Use the following outline on a separate sheet of paper.separate sheet of paper.

Thesis Statement: Thesis Statement: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Topic Sentence: Topic Sentence:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Topic Sentence: Topic Sentence: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Topic Sentence: Topic Sentence: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________