Literary Analysis Format For your short story Analysis
Please, use the following format when analyzing your short stories.
1. Always type your names on your papers. Using a pen or a pencil to write your names on your papers after they have been printed is not allowed.
2. Always make sure that your names are typed on the top right hand corner of your papers.
3. Please, do not boldface any areas of your analysis paper.
4. Each of your analysis must contain the following elements in this manner:
Plot summary: The plot is a brief but thorough summary of the story. You should exhibit knowledge of the five stages of the plot in your summary (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution). While I do not want you to specifically indicate each of them as you write your analysis, I want to be able to tell that you have incorporated them all. Please, cut out unnecessary detail when you summarize. Please begin your analysis like this:
The short story, "--Name of Short story--" begins ------
Your summaries must not be more than a page long.
Characterization: The characters in the story are the people or animals that author uses to represent various events and actions. When discussing the characters, please, identify their physical traits and personality attributes and explain how each of them interrelates amongst one another in the story.
List all the characters in the story; but discuss in full only two main characters-usually the protagonist, and one antagonist. Please, make sure that when you point out their characters, you must substantiate them with evidence from the story.
Setting: The setting of a story is usually represented by its depiction of time and place. While the author may state the original settings in the story, it is important that readers know that there could be various settings in the story as well. The expressions of events and actions do change from place to place and time to time.
Discuss the time when the story was written or the time period, and explain where the story took place. You will use a lot of inferences to help you determine some of them. Please, always support your claim with evidence from the story.
Theme: What is the universal meaning that the story provides you? How do you explain the fact that you have gotten the message in the story? A theme is usually the universal message or idea that is identified by the reader or audience. In stating the theme of a story, you should be able to express how much meaning and impact that the story had on you. A story may have as many themes as possible; however, you should choose one theme that you can fully discuss, using evidence from the story.
Point of view: The point of view of a story is usually the angle from which the author tells his or her story. It is usually expressed in either the first person, second person, or third person.
In the first person point of view, the author or narrator tells his or her story; it is mostly used in autobiographical or eyewitness reports.
The second person point of view is rarely used in narratives.
The third person point of view can be expressed in either third person limited or omniscient. In the third person limited, the narrator is usually not included as a character in the story. He or she is detached from the story; however, he or she is able to narrate the story based on what can be determined from one character in the story.
In the third person omniscient, the character is fully involved in the story. He or she is able to see everything that is going on in the minds of the characters and is able to tell the movement of the characters as they progress from stage to stage.
Conflict:
The conflicts that occur in a literary work are usually expressed as internal or external. Conflicts are the problems that the characters have as they interrelate amongst one another, and as they express their inner thoughts and feelings in a story.
Please, make sure that you identify the internal and external conflicts in your story analysis; and make sure that you use references from the story to support your points.
Style: The manner in which an author expresses himself or herself in writing.
***The language that the authors use to convey their thoughts. What kinds of words are used? Do you find them too lofty and difficult to understand? Do you find them easy to read? How are the words arranged?
***Figurative language. Are there lots of imagery? Are there flashbacks and foreshadowings used? Are there lots of literary devices used?
***What are the structure and organization of writing? Is it in letter form, does it have paragraphs separating main ideas? Are there lots of dialogues or just one long straight narrative? What does the title of the story tell you about what to expect? ***What Kind of grammar is used? What punctuation style do the authors use?
Here is a link that further explains to you some elements of style. http://www.ehow.com/about_6504292_style-english-literature_.html
Others:
Symbolism, Tone, Mood, Irony, Symbolism (please, review these concepts and discuss them in your analysis if you choose to do so.)
1. Always type your names on your papers. Using a pen or a pencil to write your names on your papers after they have been printed is not allowed.
2. Always make sure that your names are typed on the top right hand corner of your papers.
3. Please, do not boldface any areas of your analysis paper.
4. Each of your analysis must contain the following elements in this manner:
Plot summary: The plot is a brief but thorough summary of the story. You should exhibit knowledge of the five stages of the plot in your summary (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution). While I do not want you to specifically indicate each of them as you write your analysis, I want to be able to tell that you have incorporated them all. Please, cut out unnecessary detail when you summarize. Please begin your analysis like this:
The short story, "--Name of Short story--" begins ------
Your summaries must not be more than a page long.
Characterization: The characters in the story are the people or animals that author uses to represent various events and actions. When discussing the characters, please, identify their physical traits and personality attributes and explain how each of them interrelates amongst one another in the story.
List all the characters in the story; but discuss in full only two main characters-usually the protagonist, and one antagonist. Please, make sure that when you point out their characters, you must substantiate them with evidence from the story.
Setting: The setting of a story is usually represented by its depiction of time and place. While the author may state the original settings in the story, it is important that readers know that there could be various settings in the story as well. The expressions of events and actions do change from place to place and time to time.
Discuss the time when the story was written or the time period, and explain where the story took place. You will use a lot of inferences to help you determine some of them. Please, always support your claim with evidence from the story.
Theme: What is the universal meaning that the story provides you? How do you explain the fact that you have gotten the message in the story? A theme is usually the universal message or idea that is identified by the reader or audience. In stating the theme of a story, you should be able to express how much meaning and impact that the story had on you. A story may have as many themes as possible; however, you should choose one theme that you can fully discuss, using evidence from the story.
Point of view: The point of view of a story is usually the angle from which the author tells his or her story. It is usually expressed in either the first person, second person, or third person.
In the first person point of view, the author or narrator tells his or her story; it is mostly used in autobiographical or eyewitness reports.
The second person point of view is rarely used in narratives.
The third person point of view can be expressed in either third person limited or omniscient. In the third person limited, the narrator is usually not included as a character in the story. He or she is detached from the story; however, he or she is able to narrate the story based on what can be determined from one character in the story.
In the third person omniscient, the character is fully involved in the story. He or she is able to see everything that is going on in the minds of the characters and is able to tell the movement of the characters as they progress from stage to stage.
Conflict:
The conflicts that occur in a literary work are usually expressed as internal or external. Conflicts are the problems that the characters have as they interrelate amongst one another, and as they express their inner thoughts and feelings in a story.
Please, make sure that you identify the internal and external conflicts in your story analysis; and make sure that you use references from the story to support your points.
Style: The manner in which an author expresses himself or herself in writing.
***The language that the authors use to convey their thoughts. What kinds of words are used? Do you find them too lofty and difficult to understand? Do you find them easy to read? How are the words arranged?
***Figurative language. Are there lots of imagery? Are there flashbacks and foreshadowings used? Are there lots of literary devices used?
***What are the structure and organization of writing? Is it in letter form, does it have paragraphs separating main ideas? Are there lots of dialogues or just one long straight narrative? What does the title of the story tell you about what to expect? ***What Kind of grammar is used? What punctuation style do the authors use?
Here is a link that further explains to you some elements of style. http://www.ehow.com/about_6504292_style-english-literature_.html
Others:
Symbolism, Tone, Mood, Irony, Symbolism (please, review these concepts and discuss them in your analysis if you choose to do so.)