By now everyone has selected and is reading the novel of their choice. We will be looking at writing a literary essay that analyses the novel you are reading. This means that the story is not retold, instead there is analysis of the whole story through setting, characters, the social period in which the story is set, and the overall message that the book attempts to impress on the reader. Keep these things in mind and ask yourself several questions about the novel you are reading:
1. What is the purpose of the story?
2. Who are the main and important characters and what do they represent, stand for etc.
3. What is the historical and social period in which the story is set?
4. Is the setting relevant? Here it is important to think about the whole setting. Does it happen in one or more places?
5. Which genre is the story set in?
6. Do you know anything about the author? Before writing a literary essay it is important that you know the context of the story from an analytical point of view. Then you need to do some research and find material that has been written about the novel you have read (not sparknotes).
In your essay you will need to have researched about 5 other literary academics work on which to base your essay. Use www.googlescholar.com (Tenglar á ytra svæði.) to do your research. This will take some time. Answer the questions above to form an outline of what you have learned after reading the novel and before conducting the research.
Once you have gained some insight from other scholars, make an outline of your essay. Decide on a thesis statement and the topics that you will include in the essay. Most students should be familiar with this type of work from academic English courses.
All resources must be referenced with in-text citations and a reference list in APA at the end of the essay. Use the 5 paragraph essay approach – you may however include more than 5 paragraphs – the introduction and conclusion remain the same. Each topic paragraph needs to be clear and structured as with any essay. Good essays are planned and structured and have something to say.
Remember this is not opinion, rather an analysis of your reading supported by research of academics who have written on some aspect of the same novel. EXAMPLE: If you are writing about “A Clockwork Orange” your theme might be about youth and violence in England (which is essentially the point of the novel). Your next task is to find which parts of the novel, which characters and what events are the most pertinent to your theme. Gangs, lack of respect for authority, the arrogance of youth – for example. Look for research on anything that might be similar or connected to these ideas. Most of the time you will need to review your thinking to adapt to the research.
You may show another point of view, but always supported from the text. THIS IS THE PROCESS THAT WILL HELP IN DESIGNING THE ESSAY. The essay is a literary essay on the novel using a analytical and research approach.
A well-structured essay in 1,500 words. use the information above and plan the essay before attempting to write.
Do not retell the story – Use a theme and topics under the theme to structure the essay. Use material from the novel and the research to create an analytical essay. Use Ariel or Times New Roman 12 ppts. Due date 14th of May
