Creating a Brilliant Literary Analysis Essay in 5 Simple Steps

If you have ever been asked to write a literary analysis for college, you may have been confused about the expectations. What exactly is a literary analysis, and how should you go about writing one? To begin with, a literary analysis is an essay that analyzes a piece of literature in several different ways. This article will teach you what you must include in a literary analysis and the five steps that you can take to write one.

What to Include in a Literary Analysis
There are a few components that must be included when you write a literary analysis paper, including:

The reason the author wrote the book

The message the author was trying to send

The tone, setting, and characters and how they help the author communicate their message

The devices and tools that help the author communicate their message

The reason the author chose these things to communicate their message

Step 1: Read the Book (and take notes!)

One of the best things you can do to write a brilliant literary analysis essay is to take notes as you read the book. As you read, take note of the author’s purpose, as well as the steps they take to make sure that their message gets across. This will stop you from searching the book for information later.

Step 2: Identify the Purpose of the Book

The first thing you will need to do is identify the reason that the author is writing the book. Is it to entertain, or send a message about something important? Once you have identified the reason that the author has written the book, you will be prepared to take the next steps.

Step 3: Consider How the Writer Promotes their Purpose

Often, the writer will use the setting, tone, and characters to communicate their message to readers. Take note of these individual items. You should also think about the tools and devices the writer uses, including the plot, rhythm, imagery, and others.

Step 4: Consider How the Identified Items Help the Reader Understand the Theme

Once you have identified what the writer uses to get their message across, you need to identify how these work to help you understand the theme. This will make up the meat of your essay.

Step 5: Assemble Your Literary Analysis Essay