how to write a literature essay

how to write a literature essay

Mastering the Art of Writing a Literature Essay

1. Introduction to Literature Essays

The opening of the literature essay sets the pose for the following discussion. It should not leave you hanging. Using the following three sentences, narrow it down. The purpose for writing this fact should be stated. A good approach to hook the reader’s attention is to use a quote or saying. The introduction should be classic, pure hook. It should be attractive and catchy. The third sentence is the strategic one. The sense of the opening will be enriched by it. The second sentence for a thesis has to be narrow, and thus it is more effective. Another additional fact strengthens and readdresses the topic. Find a way to do the opening appropriately; then, the audience feels attracted by it.

Any student, while studying at university or school, knows the necessity of writing a literature essay on books he/she reads. They should be skilled at it. If it is difficult for you to complete writing a literature essay, we will tell you how to do the task perfectly. To write an excellent literature essay, there are several rules to be followed and guidelines to be taken into account. In order to narrow the problems arising during the composition of a literature essay, we will give you some outstanding instructions to follow briefly and precisely. During the paper, these instructions will shed light on the following: the organization of a perfect literature essay, the placing of topics to broach and develop themselves, the obtaining of an appropriate conclusion.

2. Analyzing Literary Texts

Having identified a text as literary, we have many questions to ask about it. Who is its author? Is the text a work of fiction, or does it purport to recount actual events? And what genre or form does it belong to? What words, sentences, or other elements of language does it contain? What pictures or other non-verbal components are embodied in or evoked by it? What kinds of auxiliary or supporting apparatus does the text employ to help it perform its communicative role? What tradition(s) does it belong to, and what other texts did it beget, in imitation or admiration, remake, or bear? What do readers do with the text? And what is it with texts that readers interact with? What make some texts memorable, and others worth studying? What methods, models, and strategies can readers use to understand a literary text and come to terms with its aesthetic properties?

A literary novel or a literary essay is primarily read for the meanings and sentiments that accumulate in its development. There is also a spectrum of sufficiently different types of texts lying between the extremities marked by poetry and prose. There are, for example, poems embedded in novels, and there are passages of writing in dramas that resemble or approach prose in form, rhythm, and function.

Literary texts can take on several types. Poetry and drama, for example, are forms of literary texts that are intended primarily for performance. These texts can be seen, heard, and imagined on the stage. Each poem or play has a text to begin with, but in performance, the text of a play comes to life by using spoken language and gestures, and as the text of the poem emerges from the rhythm, rhyme, and images of its words. These virtues of poetry and drama thus place them within the realm of performative literary texts.

3. Developing a Strong Thesis Statement

Remember, successful writing in literature (as in any other study), is largely a result of narrow focus. This makes one think carefully about what is important to say and how to organize arguments to demonstrate those main points. It is important to develop a clear thesis statement about the literature one is reading. Decide what strategies you should take when choosing an approach. After developing a thesis statement, consider it as a guide of original ideas, narrowing the thesis statement, and organizing the thesis statement. Be ready to use the note-taking system or stack of index cards that records different visual details during the modification process. Try to assess the information and trifles from the text based on the specific point. If the professor is not asking questions more often, students should develop one to keep track of one’s thoughts.

Developing a strong thesis statement: The thesis statement from the literature. The thesis statement is the main point, or claim that will be argued and supported in the essay. It is not a statement of fact. It is not a statement of anyone else’s ideas, but a statement specifically describing what the literature can do for you as you interpret it. It usually draws attention to the author’s distinctive concept of the subject. Basically, the thesis statement relates the entire literature to what is important to you, as the writer. It makes a claim about the text and presents an interpretation of it. Remember, the title of the literature may not exist or mean the same thing for others (including your peers or even the professor). Explain that claim in the class discussion.

4. Structuring Your Essay

Another reason for a poorly structured essay is having too many points and not developing any in full. The common size of a Literature Essay is 3 paragraphs per book. So, literature such as Anita and Me would be structured like this: paragraph about Meera, Jack, and Anita together. Paragraph about Meera on her own, then Jack on his own, and then Anita (which should mention the climax – the big house fire). Then an ending paragraph. That is it. So, with Anita and Me, that would then end up being 15 paragraphs, 3 P.E.E.L.’s per character.

For example, the use of pathetic fallacy in the quote: “the rain could be heard on the roof” is used to create suspense and tension in the reader. “The rain” symbolizes the hard work Klara is doing in and around the house to keep in good health. “On the roof” reflects Klara’s harmony with the house that is to be kept stable. Ideally, you should use the phrase “this shows” to explain. Don’t use link words too early; by all means, use some substantial vocabulary. Good long complex sentences work better in Literature!

To achieve good paragraph structure, you need to have a strong topic sentence. This should sound familiar – don’t forget the PEEL plan I talked to you about last year. Then, you should have a clear link to the question, followed by your evidence, including the page numbers you got the evidence from, an explanation of why this technique is good, and a link to future points in your essay.

5. Crafting a Compelling Conclusion

You might be better prepared to write your conclusion if you have read four or five opinion pieces expressed in newspapers or heard several voices on television, all motivated by the same issue. Similarly, the new, more arguable thesis generator might be watching teenagers use performance improvements or steroids and comparing their actions to the achievements of hometown athletes. The process of drawing parallels to significant contemporary events usually sharpens your analytical skills. Remember, if this concluding technique starts to sound familiar, you may find that you are merely repeating the information already covered as part of your introduction.

Who alone could narrate it, the obvious protagonist or another character, a new spokesperson?

How could this story develop on another continent or in a different location in this country?

Are there contemporary events that relate to this text, such as the aftermath of wars, business scandals, presidential impeachments, and comparable human activities?

What selection of the narrative might occur after the text ends? What future actions may affect the main character(s)?

Conclude by considering the significance of the text, but resist the temptation to reconsider the literary elements mentioned in your introduction or present one-sided arguments. In other words, don’t argue dispassionately about the significance of a character in the beginning, then only discuss the circumstances surrounding any actions or speeches in the conclusion. Instead, evaluate the work, character, or plot action from beginning to end. Alternatively, situate the work in other contexts, such as religion, psychology, social matters, education, or popular culture, that you may not have discussed in the body of your essay. Other areas that might stimulate you as you consider a conclusion are: