Literary Analysis, grammar and MLA format

Hook

The very first sentence of your essay. To grab the reader's attention and make them want to read more.

Thesis statement

The main argument or central point of your entire essay.

Context

The background information, such as the book title, author, and summary. To give the reader the necessary facts to understand your topic

Evidence

Direct quotes or specific examples taken straight from the book. To prove your thesis statement is true using facts from the story.

Analysis

Your explanation of how the evidence supports your argument. To show your deeper thinking and explain why the quote matters.

Conclusion

The final paragraph of your essay. To wrap up your thoughts, connect to the real world and remind the reader of your main points

Synthesis

Combining different ideas or quotes to form a new, bigger understanding. To show how multiple parts of the story connect to create a larger meaning.

Annotation

Taking notes directly on the pages of the book as you read. making meaning, addressing the unknown, making connections, analyzing the text,

MLA in text citation format

Poetry

(Authors last name)

Plays

(Author, Act.Scene.Line-line)

Novels

(Author last name page number)

How to integrate evidence (citing too, punc stuff) into analysis

At the end of the novel, Scout finally understands that Boo Radley is a gentle protector rather than a monster. Reflecting on her father’s earlier lessons, she realizes, "You never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them" (Lee 374). By applying Atticus’s advice to Boo, Scout proves that she has matured and learned to view the world through the perspectives of others.

complex sentence

comma to separate dependant clause from an independent clause (either order), use a comma after an introductory element of a sentence.

compoud sentence

use a comma, FANBOYS to seperate two independent clauses. a semicolon is used to separate two related independent lauses

Compound-complex sentences

use commas to set off quotations, use a comma to indicate a pause or shift at the end of a sentence. dependant, independent; (or, FANBOYS) independent. independent dependant, independant