analysis na detailed examination of the elements or structure of something typically as a basis for discussion or interpretation THUS A textual analysis is created to examine a text by breaking it down to its component parts to help one better understand it ID: 477731
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Slide1
Writing a Textual Analysis Essay
analysis
(n)—a detailed examination of the elements or structure of something, typically as a basis for discussion or interpretation.
THUS,
A textual analysis is created to examine a text by breaking it down to its component parts to help one better understand it. Slide2
A textual analysis must include…
An introduction that develops interest and provides context.
A clear thesis statement.
Textual evidence
Direct quotations and/or paraphrases.
Interpretations of textual evidence
Every evidence must clearly contribute to your thesis/overall central idea.
A conclusion that wraps things up effectively. Slide3
Introductory Paragraph
Attention getter (1-3 sentences): Used to pique reader interest.
Interesting quote from text
Famous quote (identify source)
Interesting/thought provoking observation
Interesting/thought provoking fact or statistic
Connector (2-3 sentences): Used to provide context for reader and lead into thesis.
Title, author, brief summary of text
Logical lead into thesis
Thesis Statement (1 sentence): States central idea of essay in one clear, concise sentence
This time, we are NOT listing “three things.”Slide4
In a society in which women were often admired and ignored, loved and trivialized, made to feel like property, author Charlotte Bronte demanded more and developed a heroine to which women in modern society can easily connect.
Jane Eyre, the protagonist in Bronte’s novel of the same name, famously states,
“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will” (Bronte, pg. 200).
These words inspired a generation of otherwise marginalized women to begin to understand the possibility of a life independent—a life in which their needs would be held chiefly above all others.
As a result, Bronte’s
Jane Eyre
served to revolutionize the characterization of women in literature and subsequently their treatment in greater society. Slide5
Body Paragraph Elements
Topic Sentence: 1 sentence
Identifies what body will be about; one element of your thesis.
Textual evidence: 1-2 sentences
A direct quote or paraphrase from the text that connects to topic; should be introduced in some way.
Explanation of Quote: 1-2 sentences
An explanation of the quote to provide reader with context; he/she should understand what the quote is about without ever having read the text.
Analysis of quote: 2-3 sentences
A breakdown of the quote, connecting it to your topic sentence/what you’re working to prove. Slide6
Body Paragraph Setup
Topic Sentence
Textual evidence #1
Explanation #1
Analysis #1
Textual Evidence #2
Explanation #2
Analysis #2
Paragraphs will be anywhere from 11-15 sentences. Woot! Slide7
MLA Parenthetical Citations
What you need:
Author last name
Page number
Parentheses
What it looks like:
“I would always rather be happy than dignified”
(
Bronte
125
)
.
In Bronte’s novel of the same name, Jane Eyre quite famously states, “I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself” (67). Slide8
Concluding Paragraph
Should do the following:
Review overall message/purpose of essay
Convey a sense of completeness and closure
Leave a positive impression on the reader