Writing About Literature: Step by Step
Edition: 9
Copyright: 2009
Pages: 356
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$78.00 USD
Writing about Literature: Step by Step will help any writer produce organized and well-developed essays on literary topics. It introduces the elements of
fiction, poetry, and drama. Each chapter includes
- 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 informative text, and
a logical conclusion - 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 step-by-step approach takes the mystery out of the writing process. The guidelines and structural patterns included illustrate the basics of good writing: focus, structure, organization, and development. Mastering these skills is integral to writing effectively.
Acknowledgments
Preface
To the Instructor
To the Student
About the Author
1 The Elements of Literature
Overview
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 Their 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
8 Symbolism Analysis
Overview
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
Peer/Self-Evaluation of a Symbolism Analysis Essay
Exercise of Symbolism
9 Analyzing Poetry
Overview
Poets and Poems
Types of Poems
Poetry and Fiction
Poetic Devices
Organization in Poetry
Symbolism in Poetry
Imagery in Poetry
Tone in Poetry
Explicating Poetry
Writing an Explication: Step by Step
Diagram of the Structure of a Poetry Explication
Model Essays
Worksheets
Poetry Explication Plan Sheet
Peer/Self-Evaluation of a Poetry Explication Essay
Exercise on Explicating a Poem
10 Imagery Analysis
Overview
Imagery and Its Effects
Analyzing Imagery
Imagery and Atmosphere or Mood
Imagery and Emotion
Imagery and Character
Imagery and Theme
Imagery’s Importance
Writing about Imagery: Step by Step
Diagram of the Structure of an Imagery Analysis Essay
Model Essays
Worksheets
Imagery Analysis Essay Plan Sheet
Peer/Self-Evaluation of an Imagery Analysis Essay
Exercise on Imagery
11 Structural Analysis
Overview
Analyzing Structure
Structure in Poetry
Structure in Fiction
Structure in Drama
Writing about Structure: Step by Step
Diagram of the Structure of a Structural Analysis Essay
Model Essays
Worksheets
Structural Analysis Essay Plan Sheet
Peer/Self-Evaluation of a Structural Analysis Essay
Exercise on Structural Analysis
12 Tone Analysis
Overview
The Importance of Tone
Tone and Word Choice
Tone, Imagery, and Figurative Language
Tone and Symbolism
Tone and Sentence Structure
Describing Tone
Analyzing Tone
Recognizing Irony
Functions of Tone
Writing about Tone: Step by Step
Diagram of the Structure of a Tone Analysis Essay
Model Essays
Worksheets
Tone Analysis Essay Plan Sheet
Peer/Self-Evaluation of a Tone Analysis Essay
Exercise on Tone
13 Writing an Extended Literary Analysis Essay
Overview
Choosing a Subject for an Extended Essay
Planning an Extended Literary Analysis Essay
Comparing/Contrasting: An Organizational Approach
Writing an Extended Literary Analysis Essay: Step by Step
Diagram of an Extended Literary Analysis Essay
Model Essays
Worksheets
Extended Literary Analysis Plan Sheet
Peer/Self-Evaluation of an Extended Literary Analysis Essay
14 Writing Literary Research Papers
Overview
Writing a Literary Research Paper: Step by Step
Choosing Your Research Topic
Building Your Bibliography
Electronic Research and the Library
Electronic Research and Your PC
Doing Preliminary Reading
Formulating Your Thesis and Taking Notes
Writing a Draft of Your Paper
Revising Your Draft
Documenting Your Research
Typing Your Manuscript
Proofreading the Final Copy
Diagram of the Structure of a Literary Research Paper
Sample Essays
Professional Example
Worksheets
Literary Research Paper Plan Sheet
Peer/Self Evaluation of a Literary Research Paper
15 Taking Essay Examinations in Literature
Overview
Taking Essay Examinations: Step by Step
Reading the Material
Attending Class
Taking Notes
Arranging Adequate Study Time
Developing Possible Test Questions and Responses
Analyzing the Test Questions
Writing Your Response
Staying on the Subject
Paragraphing Your Response
Watching the Time
Revising and Proofreading
Analyzing the Results
Model Essay Answers to Test Questions
A Note on Taking Open-Book Exams
Worksheets
Self-Evaluation of Preparation for Essay Exams
16 This Is Not the End
The Future Outlook
A Brief Glossary of Literary Terms
Index