Writing Critically, part deux

Lets go to Case Western's website and look at some craft considerations for literary analysis thesis statements...

After discussing the ideas at Case's website, I want you to practice writing strong thesis statements and introduction paragraphs that include the craft considerations found there.

Our sacrificial lamb is Tobias Wolff's "In the Garden of the North American Martyrs." Write a thesis statement that interprets the concept of martyr and how Wolff uses the concept in the story. To do so, you will have to write an introduction that argues who the martyrs are within this story, and why those characters are martyrs.

Remember: a good thesis and introduction in a literary analysis essay (or any essay) works to contextualize the story towards its argument...

In-class Writing Practice

1. Come up with some themes in the writing in which you discuss how setting plays a role in "Shiloh." Think not only of the final setting, but ALL of the settings within the story...

- Also think back to last class' questions on setting for help/

- We will write list on board:  ...

2. Come up with some questions that ask something about the themes as they pertain to story and, perhaps, the characters, the plot, or another literary element in text.

3. Pull out some relevant quotes from the story…

4. Make some claims that from the thematic questions created in class… and then use quotations as support…

- When you write an essay, I always keep in mind:

1. What my thesis is, and 

2. What is the thesis of this individual paragraph!

o I look at each paragraph as a small essay!!! One paragraph=one idea