American LitAmerican Lit

Literary analysisLiterary analysis

CONTROLLING CONTROLLING PURPOSEPURPOSE

• The controlling purpose is similar to a thesis The controlling purpose is similar to a thesis statement.statement.

• It serves as somewhat of a blueprint for the It serves as somewhat of a blueprint for the entire paper by telling the reader what entire paper by telling the reader what position the writer is taking; or what will be position the writer is taking; or what will be discussed in the paper; or what will be discussed in the paper; or what will be revealed; what will be argued, etc.revealed; what will be argued, etc.

• A well-written essay has a clearly defined A well-written essay has a clearly defined controlling purpose, with evidence to support controlling purpose, with evidence to support it.it.

• An effective conclusion reasserts the An effective conclusion reasserts the controlling purpose, but it also leaves the controlling purpose, but it also leaves the reader with a unique thought to take away reader with a unique thought to take away from the paper.from the paper.

CONTROLLING CONTROLLING PURPOSEPURPOSE

• Be sure to give your controlling purpose Be sure to give your controlling purpose context: Let the reader know right away context: Let the reader know right away who or what you are writing about.who or what you are writing about.

• It’s almost always more effective in your It’s almost always more effective in your introduction to use a statement as an introduction to use a statement as an attention-getter, rather than a question.attention-getter, rather than a question.

• Please avoid the direct “According to Please avoid the direct “According to Webster.com, the definition of feminism Webster.com, the definition of feminism is….”is….”

Literary analysisLiterary analysisThe basics:The basics:

• Identify the author with his/her work (usually in the Identify the author with his/her work (usually in the introduction): introduction): Margaret Mitchell’s Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With The Gone With The WindWind; “A Rose For Emily” by William Faulkner.; “A Rose For Emily” by William Faulkner.

• Use author’s first and last name on first reference; Use author’s first and last name on first reference; only the last name after that, although it’s OK to use only the last name after that, although it’s OK to use both again in the conclusion.both again in the conclusion.

• Set off book titles by either underlining or italicizing; Set off book titles by either underlining or italicizing; short stories, songs, movie titles: Place in quotation short stories, songs, movie titles: Place in quotation marks.marks.

• Cite your sources. If the words aren’t yours, you Cite your sources. If the words aren’t yours, you need to tell the reader where they come from and/or need to tell the reader where they come from and/or who you’re quoting or paraphrasing. Otherwise, who you’re quoting or paraphrasing. Otherwise, you’re plagiarizing.you’re plagiarizing.

Literary analysis: tense and Literary analysis: tense and personperson

• Stay in third person: no “I,” “we,” Stay in third person: no “I,” “we,” “our,” “us,” “my,” “mine” (first “our,” “us,” “my,” “mine” (first person); also avoid second-person person); also avoid second-person “you” if possible. This usually can be “you” if possible. This usually can be done through simple re-phrasing:done through simple re-phrasing:– Instead of, Instead of, “You can imagine Scarlett’s “You can imagine Scarlett’s

anger,”anger,” write, write, “Scarlett’s anger is “Scarlett’s anger is evident.”evident.”

THIRD PERSONTHIRD PERSON

• It’s not easy to simply state that It’s not easy to simply state that we arewe are victims of circumstance or that we have victims of circumstance or that we have control over everything in our lives.control over everything in our lives.

• It’s not easy to simply state that It’s not easy to simply state that humans humans areare victims of circumstance or have victims of circumstance or have control over everything in their lives.control over everything in their lives.

• We can findWe can find characters with these characters with these qualities in qualities in Gone With The Wind.Gone With The Wind.

• Characters with these qualities can be Characters with these qualities can be foundfound in in Gone With The Wind.Gone With The Wind.

TenseTense

• Because literature is timeless, it is Because literature is timeless, it is written about in present tense. For written about in present tense. For example, Emily Grierson example, Emily Grierson is is a fallen a fallen monument. Scarlett monument. Scarlett usesuses men for her men for her personal gain.personal gain.

• Past tense: Ashley Wilkes Past tense: Ashley Wilkes was was stuck in stuck in the past. (Past tense: “was” should read the past. (Past tense: “was” should read “is”)“is”)

• Past tense: Emily Past tense: Emily refusedrefused to let another to let another man dictate her life. (Past tense man dictate her life. (Past tense “refused” should read ““refused” should read “refusesrefuses”)”)

MAKING ASSUMPTIONSMAKING ASSUMPTIONS

• Be sure you can support your statements. Be sure you can support your statements. How do we know that: How do we know that:

• ““Jackie Brown is a harder worker than most Jackie Brown is a harder worker than most people.”people.”

• ““Naturalism is definitely a wide-shared Naturalism is definitely a wide-shared philosophy.”philosophy.”

• ““Jackie Brown could have worked very hard Jackie Brown could have worked very hard to become educated, but he didn’t do it.”to become educated, but he didn’t do it.”

• ““Anyone can get a scholarship or even a job.”Anyone can get a scholarship or even a job.”

PROOFREADING HALL PROOFREADING HALL OF SHAMEOF SHAME

• Even the best points can be lost in Even the best points can be lost in misspellings, typos, etc.misspellings, typos, etc.

• Instead, the Joads try to make ends Instead, the Joads try to make ends meat.meat.• Harry BeamusHarry Beamus is a man who loves books. is a man who loves books.• The The JonesJones are forced off are forced off therethere land. land.• ““Billy Austin,” a Billy Austin,” a novelnovel by Steve Earle,… by Steve Earle,…• Billy Billy SustineSustine • Tom Tom JoanJoan • Jackie feels like life owes Jackie feels like life owes herher for everything for everything

hehe has done. has done.

PROOFREADING HALL PROOFREADING HALL OF SHAMEOF SHAME

• In In The Grapes of WrathThe Grapes of Wrath, when , when JohnJohn gets out of jail on parole…gets out of jail on parole…

• That is one sad That is one sad sonson..• Billy Austin just needs to Billy Austin just needs to clamclam

himself before he acts.himself before he acts.

MechanicsMechanics

• Circled words are misspelled.Circled words are misspelled.• Comments in all capital letters indicate I Comments in all capital letters indicate I

have a question or am just making an have a question or am just making an observation.observation.

• Comments in upper and lower case Comments in upper and lower case letters indicate a suggestion for letters indicate a suggestion for clarifying, rewording, or restructuring.clarifying, rewording, or restructuring.

• Three small lines under a letter indicate Three small lines under a letter indicate that word should be capitalized; a slash that word should be capitalized; a slash through a letter indicates it should be through a letter indicates it should be lowercased.lowercased.

Essay #1: The particularsEssay #1: The particulars

• Addresses these works: Addresses these works: The Grapes of WrathThe Grapes of Wrath; ; “Rain on the Scarecrow” or “Roger and Me.”“Rain on the Scarecrow” or “Roger and Me.”

• ““Scarecrow” addresses contemporary conditions: Scarecrow” addresses contemporary conditions: It is written about farmers of today, rather than It is written about farmers of today, rather than the Dust Bowl era.the Dust Bowl era.

• Schepman, in “Scarecrow” is called by the bank Schepman, in “Scarecrow” is called by the bank to auction the land; he’s not doing the narrator to auction the land; he’s not doing the narrator any favors.any favors.

• Most of what we hear in the works is a Great Most of what we hear in the works is a Great Plains dialect, as opposed to a Southern accent.Plains dialect, as opposed to a Southern accent.

• Not all of the farmers across the works go to Not all of the farmers across the works go to California or are fleeing the Dust Bowl; only California or are fleeing the Dust Bowl; only applies to applies to The Grapes of WrathThe Grapes of Wrath..

Literary analysis: GrammarLiterary analysis: Grammar

• PRONOUN/ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT A PRONOUN/ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT A pronoun and its antecedent (the noun or pronoun pronoun and its antecedent (the noun or pronoun it is replacing or referring to) must agree in it is replacing or referring to) must agree in gender and number.gender and number.

• Naturalism is defined as an event that is beyond Naturalism is defined as an event that is beyond one’sone’s control, but it is up to control, but it is up to that personthat person to have to have power over power over theirtheir response. response.

• one = singularone = singular• that person = singularthat person = singular• their = plural.their = plural.

PRONOUN/ANTECEDENT PRONOUN/ANTECEDENT AGREEMENTAGREEMENT

• There are also some examples in which There are also some examples in which a persona person may leave home inmay leave home in their their car at a certain time and car at a certain time and is involved in an accident that mortally wounds is involved in an accident that mortally wounds themthem..

• a person = singulara person = singular• their = pluraltheir = plural• them = pluralthem = plural

• When born, a When born, a person person has no control over where has no control over where theythey will be born. will be born.

• person = singularperson = singular• they = pluralthey = plural

PRONOUN/ANTECEDENT PRONOUN/ANTECEDENT AGREEMENTAGREEMENT

• The free will of an The free will of an individualindividual will will allow or disallow allow or disallow themthem to go beyond to go beyond theirtheir initial circumstances. initial circumstances.

• individual = singularindividual = singular• them = pluralthem = plural• their = plural their = plural

COMMA SPLICESCOMMA SPLICES

• Two independent thoughts (or two Two independent thoughts (or two complete sentences) within one complete sentences) within one sentence cannot be separated by a sentence cannot be separated by a comma alone.comma alone.

COMMA SPLICESCOMMA SPLICES

• Example: Henry probably still would end Example: Henry probably still would end up like he does, no one can ever tell what up like he does, no one can ever tell what is happening to him or her next in life.is happening to him or her next in life.

• We have two independent clauses:We have two independent clauses:• Because of his absent-mindedness, Henry Because of his absent-mindedness, Henry

probably still would end up like he does, probably still would end up like he does, it’s just his nature.it’s just his nature.

• No one can ever tell what is happening to No one can ever tell what is happening to him or her next in life.him or her next in life.

COMMA SPLICESCOMMA SPLICES• Fix the comma “splice” in three ways:Fix the comma “splice” in three ways:

• Simply replace the comma with a semi-colon.Simply replace the comma with a semi-colon.

• Henry probably still would end up like doesHenry probably still would end up like does;; no one can ever tell no one can ever tell what is happening to him or her next in life.what is happening to him or her next in life.

• Keep the comma, but add a subordinating or coordinating Keep the comma, but add a subordinating or coordinating conjunction.conjunction.

• Henry probably still would end up like doesHenry probably still would end up like does, because, because no one can no one can ever tell what is happening to him or her next in life.ever tell what is happening to him or her next in life.

• Replace the comma with a period, and form two sentences.Replace the comma with a period, and form two sentences.

• Henry probably still would end up like doesHenry probably still would end up like does. . No one can ever tell No one can ever tell what is happening to him or her next in life.what is happening to him or her next in life.

COMMA SPLICESCOMMA SPLICES

• Example: It was more than that, the Example: It was more than that, the crops were not rotated.crops were not rotated.

• Fix: It was more than thatFix: It was more than that; ; the crops the crops were were not rotated. not rotated.

It was more than thatIt was more than that. . The crops The crops were were not rotated. not rotated.

COMMA SPLICESCOMMA SPLICES• Identify and correct the comma splices in Identify and correct the comma splices in

these sentences.these sentences.

The world was cruel to them, they had no The world was cruel to them, they had no chance for a prosperous life.chance for a prosperous life.

They chose to go west, nature simply gives They chose to go west, nature simply gives them a push.them a push.

It could be argued that Jackie Brown should It could be argued that Jackie Brown should have pursued an education, it’s not that have pursued an education, it’s not that simple.simple.

Essay #2: ObservationsEssay #2: Observations

• Formatting: a couple of exceptions but much better Formatting: a couple of exceptions but much better with third-person, present tense.with third-person, present tense.

• Most were passionately argued, with opinions on Most were passionately argued, with opinions on naturalism ranging from “get up and do something naturalism ranging from “get up and do something with your life” to “it’s not that simple.”with your life” to “it’s not that simple.”

• Point deductions:Point deductions:• Controlling purpose: establish right away what Controlling purpose: establish right away what

naturalism is and how it’s defined.naturalism is and how it’s defined.• Accuracy: The big one this time: Jackie Brown is a Accuracy: The big one this time: Jackie Brown is a

man, not a woman, and an adult, not a child.man, not a woman, and an adult, not a child.• Not citing the works to support points: not quoting Not citing the works to support points: not quoting

the characters/narrativethe characters/narrative

SPELLINGSPELLING

• Don’t write “defiantly” when you Don’t write “defiantly” when you mean “definitely.”mean “definitely.”

• Don’t write “loose” when you mean Don’t write “loose” when you mean “lose.”“lose.”

• It’s John Steinbeck; not John It’s John Steinbeck; not John Steinback, John Steinbach, or John Steinback, John Steinbach, or John Stinebeck.Stinebeck.

• The singular is “woman”; plural is The singular is “woman”; plural is “women.”“women.”

PUNCTUATION/PUNCTUATION/GRAMMARGRAMMAR

• Put quotation marks around, italicize, Put quotation marks around, italicize, or underline book titles, song titles, or underline book titles, song titles, movies, television shows, etc.movies, television shows, etc.

• Commas and periods always go inside Commas and periods always go inside quotation marks. Semi-colons and quotation marks. Semi-colons and colons go outside of quotation marks.colons go outside of quotation marks.

• Always capitalize proper nouns: “The Always capitalize proper nouns: “The Twilight Zone”; Twilight Zone”; The Grapes of WrathThe Grapes of Wrath; ; The Dust Bowl; The Great The Dust Bowl; The Great Depression.Depression.

PUNCTUATION/PUNCTUATION/GRAMMARGRAMMAR

• Possessive versus pluralPossessive versus plural

CorrectCorrect IncorrectIncorrectThe Joads headedThe Joads headed The Joad’s headedThe Joad’s headedwest.west. west.west.

• its versus it’sits versus it’s

CorrectCorrect IncorrectIncorrectIt’s a choice he makes.It’s a choice he makes. The dog bit it’s own The dog bit it’s own

tail.tail.

TRANSITIONSTRANSITIONS• Use the beginning of each paragraph as a bridge to the previous one:Use the beginning of each paragraph as a bridge to the previous one:

• ORIGINAL:ORIGINAL:

Because of this, Mellencamp’s “Jackie Brown” is a good example of Because of this, Mellencamp’s “Jackie Brown” is a good example of naturalism.naturalism.

Henry Bemis, a bookish little man with owl-eye glasses, an awful Henry Bemis, a bookish little man with owl-eye glasses, an awful wife, and a boring job is another victim of naturalism.wife, and a boring job is another victim of naturalism.

• The transition becomes stronger by simply adding the word “Similarly” The transition becomes stronger by simply adding the word “Similarly” before “Henry Bemis.”before “Henry Bemis.”

• REVISED:REVISED:

Similarly,Similarly, Henry Bemis, a bookish little man…” Henry Bemis, a bookish little man…”

““Similarly” provides the link between Jackie Brown and Henry Bemis, as Similarly” provides the link between Jackie Brown and Henry Bemis, as well as the paragraphs in which they are discussed.well as the paragraphs in which they are discussed.

General observationsGeneral observations• Group projectsGroup projects• Number of groups that followed proper Number of groups that followed proper

format for lesson plan: 1format for lesson plan: 1• Number of groups that didn’t turn in a lesson Number of groups that didn’t turn in a lesson

plan at all (which accounts for nearly a third plan at all (which accounts for nearly a third of the 170 points): 1of the 170 points): 1

• Number of groups that showed frustration Number of groups that showed frustration during presentations because audience during presentations because audience wasn’t listening: 4wasn’t listening: 4

• Number of people who expressed this Number of people who expressed this frustration as presenters but contributed to frustration as presenters but contributed to the frustration as audience members: the frustration as audience members:

• That’s for you to ask yourselfThat’s for you to ask yourself

Structure revisited: Structure revisited: Southern bellesSouthern belles

• Always identify the works AND the Always identify the works AND the authors. authors. Margaret Mitchell’sMargaret Mitchell’s “Gone “Gone With The Wind”; With The Wind”; William Faulkner’sWilliam Faulkner’s “A Rose For Emily.”“A Rose For Emily.”

• In this type of analysis: WRITE IN In this type of analysis: WRITE IN THIRD PERSON AND PRESENT THIRD PERSON AND PRESENT TENSE. To see first person and past TENSE. To see first person and past tense is just really discouraging at tense is just really discouraging at this point.this point.

Punctuation revisited: Punctuation revisited: Southern bellesSouthern belles

• Commas and periods always go inside Commas and periods always go inside quotation marks: “Gone With The Windquotation marks: “Gone With The Wind,”,” by by Margaret Mitchell;Margaret Mitchell;

……in Tennessee Williams’ “The Glass in Tennessee Williams’ “The Glass MenagerieMenagerie.”.”

• The possessive indication for a proper noun The possessive indication for a proper noun that ends with “s” is simply an apostrophe that ends with “s” is simply an apostrophe after the “s”: Tennessee Williamafter the “s”: Tennessee Williams’s’ play “The play “The Glass Menagerie.”Glass Menagerie.”

• When referring to the region of the country, When referring to the region of the country, capitalize “South.”capitalize “South.”

Proofreading revisited: Proofreading revisited: Southern belles Southern belles

Rushing through a paper and ignoring careful Rushing through a paper and ignoring careful proofreading produces glaring errors like these, which just proofreading produces glaring errors like these, which just kill a paper’s effectiveness:kill a paper’s effectiveness:

• Emily is stuck in her past just as Emily is, although for Emily is stuck in her past just as Emily is, although for entirely different reasons.entirely different reasons.

• This also leads to how Emily and Scarlett and Emily react This also leads to how Emily and Scarlett and Emily react to what people expect of them.to what people expect of them.

• Ashley Wingfield also has some men troubles she faces.Ashley Wingfield also has some men troubles she faces.• Amanda Wingfield is connected to her past. She has one Amanda Wingfield is connected to her past. She has one

leg that is shorter than the other, and she lets this control leg that is shorter than the other, and she lets this control her whole life.her whole life.

• Amanda viewed men as stupid and yearning for lust. She Amanda viewed men as stupid and yearning for lust. She thought she could seduce her man in the barn, when really thought she could seduce her man in the barn, when really he seduced her and took her most prized possession.he seduced her and took her most prized possession.