literature essay structure

literature essay structure

The Essential Structure of a Literature Essay

1. Introduction to Literature Essays

Nearly every literature essay begins with a piece of characterization or with action to intrigue the reader, but these tasks concerns pertain to the introduction is only part of the introduction. The last duty of the introduction which I have so far deliberately omitted, may clearly be stated as the task of revealing the overall structure of the essay. In other words, the introduction provides to the reader an overview of the movements of the essay. It does this by speaking more broadly about the argument which is detailed later on in the essay. The introduction should be the last part of the essay to be written. After writing the main paragraphs of the essay, the argument’s structure will be clearer. Then, and only then, will it be possible to draft a convincing introduction. It should be remembered too, that the introduction is subject to large-scale revision and possibly rewriting on the grounds that developing an argument often reveals that the essay has not come out in the way that the writer thought it would have.

The essay must be properly structured in order to clearly state an argument and arrive at a logical and correct conclusion. Any essay that does not have proper structure is in danger of being poorly and perhaps irrelevantly written. This article sets out to remind teachers and students alike about the basic structure of literature essays for examinations. This mode of writing includes an introduction – text/comment (which can then be subdivided into certain or all aspects of the work being written about), and a conclusion.

2. Analytical Frameworks and Approaches

Biographical studies sometimes provide helpful information but more often serve to confuse interpretation. The “Age of Johnson” was undoubtedly influenced by the personality of Dr. Johnson, and the Elizabethan Age cannot be separated from the Elizabethan theatre in which William Shakespeare was so important a factor. Within this emphasis, however, the critic is interested in the work of the author rather than in the life of the man after the biographical facts have been established. The truth is that the critic is suspicious of the source of all biographical deductions.

The historical approach to literature involves a review of the works written by a given age. Some critics begin with the earliest writings that have survived, and behold in the literature of each period some evidence of the young life of the people and of the times in which it was written. The strength of this method, as of all historical interpretations, is that it emphasizes the diverse cultural backgrounds of the authors and that these diverse aspects find expression in the works. The difficulty is that details of the life and environment of an author do not make that work of art any more readable or impressive for what society wishes to take from it.

3. Key Elements of a Literature Essay

The essential structure of a literature essay can be defined by the boundary limits set by the rubric, or if it’s not available, the following key elements set by common standards. Firstly, it’s the thesis statement. An essay has only one thesis statement, and the topic of an essay is assembled around it. Composing a thesis statement is a rather serious step in writing an essay because it provides a basis for your own paper, supports your argument, and has precise and exact wording. The title of the piece of literature and a narrowing question should be included after it. Usually, the thesis statement appears by the end of the introductory paragraph. In qualitative essay writing services, the thesis statement is considered a priority in a paper task.

The essential structural elements of a literature essay are the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. Often, the body of an essay is divided into two or three paragraphs connected by a single idea. The essay conclusion is usually also one paragraph long. In the end, the introduction and the conclusion create a sort of frame for the paper, representing the main points of the essay in miniature. An essay on literature or a literary analysis essay is not an exception.

4. Crafting a Strong Thesis Statement

B. In terms of the order in which the thesis appears in the essay, it should come as close as possible to the beginning. The reader should not have to ask, “What is this paper about? What are you arguing?” A thesis at the introductory apex of the paper provides for a paper that is not organized in a ridiculous way, and that does not say things that are not then put back together, so that the argument really just presents something, and that the “order in the paper” simply reflects the logic of the argument being advanced—moving from background to foreground. Moreover, the more explicit the thesis statement at the apex of the paper, the better the reader is able to follow the rest of the paper.

A. The thesis should be an answer to the question first posed by the reader. The reader is usually oneself, but this may not always be the case. That question is usually some combination of: What do I want to argue? What do I want to prove? Or, what is my paper about? The thesis that does answer the question is usually the recipe for the introduction. Also, the thesis should always be rooted in and related to material someplace else in the text. One should never have to leave the paper to find the support for the argument being set out in the thesis. This demands a close tie between the thesis and one or more sentences in the body of the paper—the number depending on the length of the essay.

5. Effective Conclusion and Reflection

Challenge the reader to consider further investigations or studies on the topics discussed, encouraging continued reflection and dialogue. By engaging the reader in this way, you can leave a lasting impression and inspire further exploration of the issues raised in your essay.

A well-crafted conclusion should not merely summarize the essay but should provide a thoughtful reflection that reinforces the thesis argument. By appealing to both reason and emotion, you can make a compelling case that resonates with the reader. Additionally, consider linking back to the introduction to provide a sense of closure and offer insights into the broader implications of your analysis.

In crafting a conclusion and reflection for your essay, it is crucial to leave a lasting impact on the reader. By connecting your conclusion to the introduction, you can effectively shape the reader’s thoughts and emotions. Avoid introducing new information in the conclusion; instead, focus on reflecting on the key points discussed in the essay. Consider highlighting the causes, symptoms, or reasons behind the incident analyzed and suggest practical measures to address the issues raised.

Effective conclusion and reflection: