Writing About Literature: Step by Step
Edition: 9
Copyright: 2009
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Most students have strong doubts about their ability to write
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Writing about Literature: Step by Step takes the mystery out of the writing process. By following the textbook's guidelines and structural patterns, students learn the basics of good writing: focus, structure, organization, and development based on the literary analysis pattern.
Writing about Literature: Step by Step can be used with any literature anthology in any composition, literature, or humanities class that deals with literature and composition. Each chapter is a self-contained unit, so you can introduce the literary elements in the order that best meets your approach to teaching.
To introduce students to the elements of fiction, poetry, and drama - character, setting, theme, point of view, symbolism, imagery, structure, and tone, each chapter contains the following learning activities:
- a thorough, easy-to-understand discussion of a literary concept- step-by-step instructions on how to choose a topic and organize an essay
- a diagram of the structure of a typical essay, including instructions on how to produce an effective introduction, a well developed body, and a logical conclusion
- at least three student-written model essays that illustrate the suggested structure
- a plan sheet and an evaluation form to guide the writer through the drafting process
- a group exercise to actively involve students in the learning process
1 The Elements of LiteratureOverview
The Creative Process and the Elements of Literature
How to Read Literature
Thinking Critically about Literature
Worksheets
The Elements of Literature
Plot Analysis Outline
2 Writing about Literature
Overview
Planning and Writing an Essay of Literary Analysis
Prewriting: Planning Your Essay
Formulating Your Thesis
Outlining Your Essay
Understanding the Difference between Plot Summary and Analysis
Finding Evidence
Considering Your Audience
Starting Your Draft: Choosing a Title
Writing Your Introduction
Writing Your Body Paragraphs
Writing Effective Analysis: A Final Word
Writing Your Conclusion
Revising Your Draft
Editing Your Draft
Proofreading Your Manuscript
Manuscript Form
A Diagram of Essay Structure
The Real Thing: The Complete Essay
Worksheet
Character Analysis Essay Plan Sheet
Model Essay
3 Using Quotations and Documentation in Your Essays
Overview
Quoting and Documenting Your Sources
Incorporating Quotations
Using Textnotes/Parenthetical Documentation
Works Cited Entries for Non-electronic Sources
Works Cited Entries for Electronic Sources
4 Character Analysis
Overview
Types of Characters
Fictional Characters and Th eir Traits
A Character?s Physical Appearance and Name
A Character?s Actions
A Character?s Choices
A Character?s Speech
A Character?s Thoughts and Feelings
A Character?s Past
A Character?s Comments about Other Characters
A Narrator?s Comments about a Character
Writing about Character: Step by Step
Diagram of the Structure of a Character Analysis Essay
Model Essays
Worksheets
Character Analysis Essay Plan Sheet
Peer/Self-Evaluation of a Character Analysis Essay
Exercise on Analyzing Character
5 Setting Analysis
Overview
Setting and Its Functions
Setting and Probability
Setting and Atmosphere
Setting and Character
Setting, Character, and the Journey Motif
Setting and Theme
Setting and Symbolism
Setting and Unity
Focusing on Setting
Writing about Setting: Step by Step
Diagram of the Structure of a Setting Analysis Essay
Model Essays
Worksheets
Setting Analysis Essay Plan Sheet
Peer/Self-Evaluation of a Setting Analysis Essay
Exercise on Setting
6 Theme Analysis
Overview
An Explanation of Theme
How Themes Emerge in a Work
Our Response to Themes
Writing about Theme: Step by Step
Diagram of the Structure of a Theme Analysis Essay
Model Essays
Worksheets
Theme Analysis Essay Plan Sheet
Peer/Self-Evaluation of a Theme Analysis Essay
Exercise on Theme
7 Point of View Analysis
Overview
Analysis of Point of View
First-Person Participant Point of View
Types of First-Person Point of View
Character of the First-Person Narrator
The Effects of First-Person Point of View
Third-Person Nonparticipant Point of View
Types of Third-Person Nonparticipant Point of View
Writing about Point of View: Step by Step
Diagram of the Structure of a Point of View Analysis Essay
Model Essays
Worksheets
Point of View Analysis Plan Sheet
Peer/Self-Evaluation of a Point of View Analysis Essay
Exercise on Point of View
Understanding Symbolism
Types of Symbolism
Universal and Personal Symbols
Clues to Symbolism
Archetypal Symbolism
Symbolism and Allegory
Interpreting the Symbolism
Finding the Symbolic Theme
Writing about Symbolism: Step by Step
Diagram of the Structure of a Symbolism Analysis Essay
Model Essays
Worksheets
Symbolism Analysis Plan Sheet