I’m supposed to write a literary analysis essay on the book All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque. In the essay, the format looks like this: INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH: 1. Hook-the “why should you read my paper statement” eg. quote, question, anecdotes, vinyetts, fact, shocking statement. 2. Thematic summary (overall themes of the book, but not merely plot summary). You may want to include the author’s name and the title of the text here; otherwise, place this information into the 3-part thesis statement eg. context, this is where you introduce the characters we discuss. 3. 3-part thesis statement: (author and title) + pattern + [attern’s effect on text (this is literary) + pattern’s effect on audience (this is the ‘so what’) or a 3+1 thesis (pattern) + effect on text + effect on audience + technique. BODY PARAGRAPHS (3 needed) 1. Topic transitional sentence: This is your opportunity to link the ideas from the last sentence of the previous paragraph to the theme and content of this paragraph-introduce the paragraph’s content. Think of this as a way to incorporate one element or example of the pattern as a means of understanding the author’s overall point. 2. Quote/evidence set up: The set-up of the evidence may be several sentences long; however, it is essential information as it expands upon the topic sentence and explains why you are writing this paragraph with this specific example. 3. Evidence/concrete detail/direct quotes: Add in direct quotes from the novel to illustrate your point: you need this evidence to add ethos (credibility) to your analysis. “Direct quotes must be in quotation marks!” (1). (with a page number at the end). 4. Explanation/commentary/interpretation: At this point the paragraph you need to back up the quote and further your analysis. To do this, discuss the significance/meaning/importance of the quote and how it proves the point you set up in the beginning of the paragraph. As this is the crux of your analysis, the explanation will be several sentences long. (This is the section of your body paragraph containing the majority of your analysis i.e. the pattern’s literary effect on the text. Think: ‘How does the pattern function; what does it do?’) 5. Connect back to thesis: Wrap up each body paragraph with a link or connection back to the thesis-the pattern you are analyzing and the author’s purpose. These sentences are necessary as they tie the specifics in your paragraph to your thesis. (This is the section of your body paragraph containing the majority of the pattern’s effect on audience: the so what-i.e. how the pattern addresses the author’s purpose in the passage or full text. CONCLUSION (come back to the hook and the effect on audience). 1. Restate/rephrase thesis-do not simply cut and paste your original thesis. Ultra condense thesis-doesn’t need to have all 3 parts. 2. Summarize the main points of your essay and explain the significance of the author’s purpose. 3. Extend beyond the text: make a generalized comment about the passage’s/text’s overall theme, the author’s purpose or consider leaving the reader with a big question, quote or comment for them to ponder that might invite change in perspective or action.
