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Copyright 2016 Yvonne Scorse

Literary Analysis Checklist Literary Analysis Checklist


Introduction Introduction
 Interesting hook that relates to thesis  Interesting hook that relates to thesis
 ID’s full title (proper capitalization and underlining or italics),  ID’s full title (proper capitalization and underlining or italics),
authors’ names authors’ names
 Thesis at end of intro  Thesis at end of intro

Body Paragraphs Body Paragraphs


 Begins with topic sentence stating main point of paragraph and  Begins with topic sentence stating main point of paragraph and
relating it to thesis relating it to thesis
 Before a quote or paraphrase, lead-in provides context  Before a quote or paraphrase, lead-in provides context
 No more than two pieces of evidence / paragraph (paraphrases  No more than two pieces of evidence / paragraph (paraphrases
count as evidence) count as evidence)
 Effective transitions  Effective transitions

Quotes Quotes
 Are they too long? Could they be cut down using . . . ? Could a  Are they too long? Could they be cut down using . . . ? Could a
paraphrase be used instead? paraphrase be used instead?
 Are they blended with writer’s words?  Are they blended with writer’s words?
 Are they punctuated and cited correctly?  Are they punctuated and cited correctly?

Commentary Commentary
 After each piece of evidence  After each piece of evidence
 Connects evidence to paragraph’s topic / thesis  Connects evidence to paragraph’s topic / thesis
 Obvious analysis? (Do you find yourself saying, “Duh”?)  Obvious analysis? (Do you find yourself saying, “Duh”?)

Conclusion Conclusion
 Restates thesis  Restates thesis
 Answers “so what?”  Answers “so what?”

Style Style
 Awkward or repetitive wording?  Awkward or repetitive wording?
 Formal, academic language used (no “I”)  Formal, academic language used (no “I”)

Usage, Mechanics, Formatting Usage, Mechanics, Formatting


 MLA format used?  MLA format used?
 Check for any sentence, grammar, capitalization, spelling,  Check for any sentence, grammar, capitalization, spelling,
punctuation mistakes! punctuation mistakes!

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