Writing the Literary Analysis Essay
How do you write a literary analysis essay? What are you supposed to look for in the story? How do you structure the essay so your readers can follow your reasoning? This 4-week course will teach you the ins and outs of literary analysis.
Kendra Fletcher
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(521)
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What's included
4 live meetings
3 hrs 20 mins in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. Students will be annotating a book of their choice and then writing a literary analysis essay.Assessment
Because we will be approaching the essay step-by-step, I will offer feedback as we go. When the final essay is returned to me by the due date, I'll offer feedback and an assessment based on our literary analysis rubric and the grading scale used in the United States.Grading
When the final essay is returned to me by the due date, I'll offer feedback and an assessment based on our literary analysis rubric and the grading scale used in the United States.Class Experience
US Grade 9 - 12
Intermediate Level
In this short course designed to prepare students for university literary analysis, learners will understand how to craft a solid literary analysis essay. Using brief lectures, examples, and discussion, we will cover: -annotations for close reading -themes -symbolism, allusions, and metaphors -advanced analysis skills -academic wording -essay formatting -citations Over the course of four weeks, students will first identify a book they would like to write about and then craft the entire essay, step by step. I offer feedback as we move through the process and a final assessment/grade. Not sure if you're ready to tackle a literary analysis essay? Take a look at High School English: Read Literature Like a Professor OR Middle School English: Read Literature Like a Professor. These courses teach literary analysis in a highly accessible and engaging way and will prepare you to 'see' literature in a whole new light.
Learning Goals
Students will learn to identify key themes in literature and craft a thoughtful thesis that builds into an excellent essay for college and university-level writing requirements.
CCSS RL.8.1
Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
CCSS RL.8.10
By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, at the high end of grades 6–8 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
CCSS RL.9-10.1
Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
CCSS RL.9-10.10
By the end of grade 9, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, in the grades 9-10 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.By the end of grade 10, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, at the high end of the grades 9-10 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
CCSS RL.11-12.1
Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain.
Syllabus
4 Lessons
over 4 WeeksLesson 1:
Literary Analysis: How to Begin
In this live class session, we will cover how to annotate your books for successful understanding, how to identify themes in literature, and how to think about the essay from the beginning of the book. 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Literary Analysis: The Power of Words
In this live class session, we will cover symbolism, allusions, metaphors, and discuss academic wording that communicates with clarity. 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Literary Analysis: Drafting the Essay
In this live class session, we will cover essay formatting and highlight the differences between an expository academic essay and a literary analysis essay. 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Literary Analysis: How to End
In this live class session, we will cover citation software and editing your work. Students will have an opportunity to share their essays as desired. 50 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
We will not be discussing controversial topics. If a student would like to write about a controversial book, the class discussion will be appropriate and the details of their book choice will be kept between student and teacher through Outschool's messaging system.
Pre-Requisites
Learners should have a solid grasp of the academic essay format (5-paragraph, thesis development, etc.). Students will benefit greatly from my High School English: Read Literature Like a Professor course, but it is not a prerequisite.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined April, 2019
5.0
521reviews
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Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from University of the Pacific
I have been teaching writing on Outschool for five years. Additionally, I have authored four books, work as a freelance editor, and am a graduate student of literature and arts at the University of Oxford, where I write analysis essays regularly. Reviews
Live Group Course
$20
weekly or $79 for 4 classes1x per week, 4 weeks
50 min
Completed by 5 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 14-18
2-6 learners per class
