Final answer:
It is true that a student should highlight keywords, including literary terms and verbs, in a prompt to properly address an essay. Effective note-taking, critical reading, and focusing on an argued thesis rather than summary are key to creating a strong literary analysis essay. Familiarity with the text and its significant elements is central to this process.
Step-by-step explanation:
When approaching a literary analysis essay, it is indeed true that one should focus on highlighting keywords, such as literary terms and verbs, which dictate the response required for a written prompt. Initially, one must fully read the assigned text while noting elements relative to the prompt or personal interests. Should a prompt be provided beforehand, it is essential to mark or highlight relevant quotes that correlate with the specified topic, noting all page or line numbers for future referencing and citations, leading to the practice of good citation habits.
Once familiar with the text, identify literary elements such as tone, style, imagery, figurative language, and themes that seem significant for analysis. Engage in a critical dialogue with the text, asking questions and articulating responses to document in notes or a reading journal. Effective note-taking by using highlighters, post-it notes, or margin notes facilitate deeper engagement and elevate one's analysis over mere summary. This stage is crucial for developing a solid understanding of the literary work, which will, in turn, aid in crafting a well-structured essay centered around a well-formulated thesis.
Lastly, it's vital to write with an argument or thesis in mind, structuring the essay so that plot elements and citations act as evidence to support your argument, rather than leading to excessive summary. This foundational understanding will assist in writing the paper more fluidly and efficiently. Underline and make note of different literary features you might examine, such as active vs. passive voice, pronoun usage, or syntax, as these can also be crucial in literary analysis.