Suggested Outline for the Lit. Analysis w/ Research paper

Paragraph 1.

Grab the reader’s attention with something important from the book – or, at the very least, from the author’s viewpoint – one that provokes, surprises, or imposes demands. Next, give a preview: “roll tape” and screen a trailer of what’s to come. Last but not least, deliver a reliable thesis statement:

Sample thesis statement for this paper:

As literary critics have made efforts to note, the artistic unity of _______________ (novel/play) derives coherency from ________________________ (a feature of New Critical analysis) and from ____________________ (another feature of New Critical analysis); these, in turn, promote ____________’s (author’s) ends and means, as readers can plainly see using the “lens” of ____________________ (school of literary criticism), to dwell on such issue(s) as ________________________.

Still another sample thesis statement:

The _________________ (political fervor; the passionate ideals) of _______________ (author) are dramatically expressed by_____________ (NC feature 1), ____________________ (NC feature 2) and ___________________ (another NC feature3); however, the philosophical focus of _________________ (title of novel/play) lacks force or completion unless it is viewed through the (prism/lens/perspective, et al.) of ________________________ (school of literary criticism), a view that amplifies ____________ (author's) ultimate purposes.

Still another prototypical thesis statement:

________________ (novel/play) runs the risk of distracting readers with its (NC literary features of) _____________________, _____________________ and ______________________ as vehicles for _________________’s (author’s) convictions about ____________ (theme, issue, question, or concern); however, for a more full and accurate understanding of , ___________________ (novel/play), readers would do well to turn to _______________________ (name of a lens #2), for a thoughtful explanation of __________ (issue, theme, crisis, ambiguity, etc.).

Or... allow your imagination to be your guide!!! The more personal your approach, the more authentic the essay is likely to become.

Next, devote six or seven paragraphs to matters of stylistic unity: that is, the NC question: "How does the work hang together?" Cite passages from your book, and involve your critics in the conversation!!

Paragraph 2
A literary quality or feature that helps it to hang together. Insert a textual citation to prove your point, and do some close reading. New Critic.

Paragraph 3
Another literary quality or feature that helps it to hang together. Insert a textual citation to prove your point, and do some close reading. Different New Critic.

Paragraph 4
Another literary quality or feature that helps it to hang together. Insert a textual citation to prove your point, and do some close reading. Critic.

Paragraph 5
Discuss some over-arching literary feature that provides “glue” to the whole book. Include the words of a second critic – one who either agrees or disagrees with you regarding this third literary feature. Discuss your agreement or disagreement.

Paragraph 6
A perhaps a critic who disagrees with you overall. Discuss your agreement or disagreement. Rebut!!

Paragraph 7: Summary and transition.
Summarize what you have observed with respect to the aesthetic unity of your book. Then begin a transition to your work with a second lens. Perhaps you can talk about what is not achieved or not understood via the New Critical approach, indicating the need for a new perspective.

Paragraph 8 (Lens #2 discussion begins)
Introduce readers to your concept of Lens #2. Reassure readers that this lens – along with all the preceding will help him or her to understand that _________________________(novel/play) deals more forcefully with ______________________________ (issue or question in the book) far better than he or she would have understood otherwise, absent any knowledge of _______________________(Lens #2).

Paragraph 9
Explain in simple terms how ___________________ (Lens 2) helps to explain an important aspect of this novel or play. Ideally, you can point back to moments from the book discussed in the paragraphs above.

Paragraph 10
Invoke the words of a Lens #2 critic for support with this contention, providing an ample quotation from this critic for support. Discuss.

Paragraph 11.
Explain in simple terms how _________________________ (Lens 2) explains another important aspect of this novel or play. Use support from a second Lens #2 critic for support on this question, providing an ample quotation from the work of this critic.

Paragraph 12
Here, you might discuss parallels between your book and the work of other works discussed by Lens #2 critics. For example, if you are using a feminist perspective on The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison, what do the feminist critics say about other books by Toni Morrison? And how do feminist themes in The Bluest Eye have echoes in other TM works? // A different strategy for this paragraph might be to connect your book to some issue that we face in the world – e.g., the Election, the financial crisis, global warming. What parallels to these issues occur in your book, and how do Lens 2 critics help to clarify such parallels.

Paragraph 13
Now we are winding down. Provoke, yet also reassure. Raise questions. What questions have not been resolved in your essay, or by your critics? Become more philosophical now. You are near the end. You have worked hard, so you can don a gray beard of wisdom & philosophy.

Paragraph 14
Wrap it up. Review the main connections between Paragraph 1 and Paragraph 8, doing your best to prove that your contentions about (I.) artistic beauty and (II.) political, social, economic, historical, gender, linguistic, or psychological theory go hand in hand in order to achieve a thorough understanding of your book or play.

...and

That’s a wrap.