Literary analysis

General observations about writing structure and requirements:

Great command of third-person writing voice: just a couple of exceptions here. This

simply means removal of “I” “me” “my” “our” “us” “we.”

Generally, points are well supported with evidence (quoting from the packet)

LITERARY ANALYSIS: OVERALL

In your introduction, establish the driving force/controlling purpose of the paper: Little

Crow both reflects and defies Native American stereotypes.

His natural pragmatism, overreaching desire to help his people even with brutal

consequences, and the mythological side of his past contribute to and likewise defy commonly held stereotypes of Native

Americans.

LITERARY ANALYSIS: OVERALL

Simplify: Choose three stereotypes to focus on: then, n the body of the

paper, address the contradictions within each stereotype.

Be sure to place “Injun” in quotation marks: It’s an offensive term, and you want to let the reader know that it’s

not yours.

LITERARY ANALYSIS: OVERALL

Establish both main sources: the Star Tribune packet by Curt Brown and the

film documentary “Reel Injun”When you reference “Reel Injun,” cite

specific movies that support the stereotype that you are analyzing.

Give a brief description of the movie and how it fosters the stereotype.

LITERARY ANALYSIS: OVERALL

Remember to fully describe both sources:A six-part series titled “A Man Lost in History,” written in 2012 by Minneapolis Star Tribune

writer Curt Brown.Then your in-text citations should refer to the

specific articles in the series, rather than lumping than all under “A Man Lost in History.”

The 2009 Neil Diamond film documentary, “Reel Injun” examines Hollywood’s depiction of Native Americans through a century of cinema.

LITERARY ANALYSIS: OVERALL

Shoot for a creative title: Instead of “Little Crow Analysis” follow this example: Little Crow: ‘Reel

Injun’ or Real Leader?

LITERARY ANALYSIS: OVERALL

Quick grammar lesson #1: comma splicesTwo independent clauses (or two complete sentences) within one sentence cannot be

separated by a comma alone.Example: Little Crow defies the “savage”

stereotype, he did not see war as the Dakota’s best option.

We have two independent clauses:Little Crow defies the savage” stereotype.

He did not see war as the Dakota’s best option.

LITERARY ANALYSIS: GRAMMAR

Fix the comma “splice” in three ways:

Simply replace the comma with a semi-colon.

Little Crow defies the “savage” stereotype; he did not see war as the Dakota’s best option.

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

Little Crow defies the “savage” stereotype, and he did not see war as the Dakota’s best option.

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

Little Crow defies the “savage” stereotype. He did not see war as the Dakota’s best option.

COMMA SPLICES

PARALLEL STRUCTURE

Grammar lesson #2: Parallel structure

When we talk about parallel structure, we're dealing with a balancing act. The idea isn't too hard, but most people don't think about it.

So what are we balancing? . . . pairs of words or series of words. Look at the following:

Pairsa and ba or b

Seriesa, b, and ca, b, or c

Think of the letters as standing for words or groups of words. Any words or groups of words that you plug in have to be the same kinds of

words or word patterns. That's all there is to it! Let's see how the "formula" works:

PARALLEL STRUCTURE

Pairs: running and jumping, bothered and bewildered, open or shut, laughing or crying (all are verbs)

Series: broken, bedraggled, and bone-tired (all are adjectives)an old shoe, a stuffed bear, and a chewed-up blanket (all are

nouns)

When you write your sentences using parallel structure, your ideas come across more clearly because they're easier to read. Compare

the following sentences:

Non-parallel structure: Peggotty's toys were an old shoe, a bear that was stuffed, and she had chewed up an old blanket.

Parallel structure: Peggotty's toys were an old shoe, a stuffed bear, and a chewed-up blanket.

See how the second sentence is smoother and more balanced? Adapted from “Big Dog’s Grammar” http://aliscot.com/bigdog/parallel.htm

PARALLEL STRUCTURE

Peggotty's toys were an old shoe, a stuffed bear, and a chewed-up

blanket.We have three groups of words that

are parallel in their construction: adjective/noun

old shoe, stuffed bear, chewed-up blanket.

PARALLEL STRUCTURE

ExamplesThese stereotypes include being brave, a warrior, and

spiritual.These stereotypes include being adjective, noun, and

adjective.How can we fix it?

These stereotypes include being brave, combative, and spiritual.

Many movies portray Indians as savages, spirited, prideful, and warriors.

Many movies portray Indians as savage, spirited, prideful, and warlike.

Commas and periods always go inside quotation marks: “A Man Lost in History,” by Curt Brown.

Colons and semi-colons go outside of quotations marks.

Entire paper is double-spaced, including title page info.

MISCELLANEOUS

Your last name 1

Your first and last name

 Mr. Johnston

American Literature 

11 March 2013

TITLE IS CENTERED

Every page after this will have your last name and the page number in the upper right hand corner.

CHARACTER ANALYSIS: FORMATTING REMINDER

So, here is what happens with the grade.If you revise following the suggestions mentioned on your paper and making

corrections, you can earn additional points. If you choose not to revise, the grade stands

as marked.You must staple the revised copy to the one

I have marked up.

LITERARY ANALYSIS