Literary Analysis and Interpretation

What is literary analysis?

Close reading strategies

Annotating texts effectively

Character analysis: methods of characterization

Character analysis: motivation and development

Character analysis: writing about characters

Setting analysis: time and place

Setting analysis: atmosphere and mood

Plot analysis: conflict types

Plot analysis: tension and pacing

Theme identification strategies

Theme vs. topic vs. moral

Developing thematic statements

Supporting theme with evidence

Point of view: effects on narrative

Narrator reliability

Symbolism: identifying symbols

Symbolism: interpreting meaning

Figurative language: imagery

Figurative language: metaphor and simile

Figurative language: personification, hyperbole

Tone and author's attitude

Irony: verbal, situational, dramatic

Foreshadowing and flashback

Allusion and intertextuality

Comparing literary elements across texts

Writing literary analysis paragraphs

Structuring a literary analysis essay

Using textual evidence effectively

Unit assessment (analysis essay)