Question

You were asked to make notes about the characters, setting, plot, and other literary elements you have learned. You could also write personal observations, reflections, and questions you have about the story as you read. Now it is time to turn your notes into your teacher.

Answer 1

Crafting a literary analysis involves integrating notes and observations with textual evidence. Your essay should examine major literary elements and offer a balanced and substantiated interpretation of the reading material.

Step-by-step explanation:

Turning Reading Notes into a Literary Analysis

Creating a literary analysis from your notes and observations includes several steps. Initially, while reading, effective note-taking should involve highlighting important quotations, asking questions, making personal reflections, and jotting down your reactions to the text. These notes provide a base for your analysis, where examining literary elements like setting, plot, and character helps illustrate the meaning of the story for you.

It's essential to support your personal interpretations with evidence from the text. This gives your analysis credibility and demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the literature. As you develop your essay, focus on big-picture elements and then refine your analysis with more specific elements such as symbolism and themes.

Your final literary analysis should present a balanced view, integrating your personal impressions with textual evidence. The aim is to produce a cohesive essay that evaluates the literature both subjectively (how it makes you feel and think) and objectively (its structural and thematic elements).