Assignment:
Essay: Literary Analysis (Pre-1900 Texts)
Course: LIT2000 - Introduction to Literature
Purpose:
This essay introduces you to college-level literary analysis. Your goal is not to summarize the story, but to analyze how meaning is constructed in a literary text. Need Assignment Help?
You will develop a clear thesis and support it through close reading of specific passages.
Text Options (Choose One)
- Oedipus the King
- The Cask of Amontillado
- Shakespeare, Sonnet 18
- Shakespeare, Sonnet 29
- Kate Chopin, The Story of an Hour
- Charlotte Perkins Gilman, The Yellow Wallpaper
- (Any pre-1900 published work of fiction, poetry, or mythology with instructor permission)
Your Task:
Write a 750-1000 word analytical essay in which you do the following:
1. Present a clear, arguable thesis
2. Begin your essay from a specific observation (a word, phrase, or moment) and build your interpretation from that detail
3. Focus your analysis on one or two specific passages (no more than 10-20 lines total)
4. Analyze specific literary elements, such as
- Theme
- Character
- Symbolism
- Tone
- Imagery
- Irony
5. Support your ideas with quoted textual evidence
6. Explain how the evidence supports your interpretation
7. Your interpretation should be specific and original, not a general or obvious statement about the text
Important Distinction:
Summary retells what happens.
Analysis explains how the text creates meaning and why that meaning matters.
Your essay should focus on interpretation, not plot summary.
Suggested Approach
1. Introduction
- Briefly introduce the text and topic
- Present a clear thesis
2. Body Paragraphs (at least 2-3)
- Focus each paragraph on one main analytical point
- Use direct quotations from the text
- Explain the significance of your evidence
3. Conclusion
- Reinforce your main insight
- Show what your analysis reveals about the text
Formatting Requirements:
- Length: 750-1000 words
- Format: MLA format (basic)
- Evidence: Include at least 2-3 direct quotations