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English-The-literature-essay-explained.pdf, Schemes and Mind Maps of Literature

National University (NU)Literature

A literature essay is writing about a novel/drama and making judgements about the themes, structure, characters or symbols within it. 1. The most important rule ...

Typology: Schemes and Mind Maps

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The Literature Essay
What is a literature essay?
A literature essay is writing about a novel/drama and making judgements about the
themes, structure, characters or symbols within it.
1. The most important rule of a literature essay is knowing your themes,
symbols and characters!
2. You cannot write a literature essay if you have not read the book.
3. NEVER…EVER…EVER write a narrative account in a literature essay.
4. Your teacher knows the story, you must comment on the story, NOT
retell it.
5. A successful literature essay answers a question posed by the examiner
by analysing the topic and providing enough, relevant evidence to
support their statements.
STEP 1:
Analyse the question that is given to you.
Question example: This is the question lead/statement
In William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet there are many types of
love which can be seen throughout the play, of which include;
unrequited love, courtly love, true love and love at first sight.
“There is a thin line between love and infatuation”
Comment on the validity of this statement by relating it to the views and
actions of various characters. Your essay must be 300-350 words.
Always look for the question words to make sure you answer the
question!
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Download English-The-literature-essay-explained.pdf and more Schemes and Mind Maps Literature in PDF only on Docsity!

The Literature Essay

What is a literature essay? A literature essay is writing about a novel/drama and making judgements about the themes, structure, characters or symbols within it.

  1. The most important rule of a literature essay is knowing your themes, symbols and characters!
  2. You cannot write a literature essay if you have not read the book.
  3. NEVER…EVER…EVER write a narrative account in a literature essay.
  4. Your teacher knows the story, you must comment on the story, NOT retell it.
  5. A successful literature essay answers a question posed by the examiner by analysing the topic and providing enough, relevant evidence to support their statements.

STEP 1:

Analyse the question that is given to you. Question example: This is the question lead/statement In William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet there are many types of love which can be seen throughout the play, of which include; unrequited love, courtly love, true love and love at first sight. “There is a thin line between love and infatuation” Comment on the validity of this statement by relating it to the views and actions of various characters. Your essay must be 3 00 - 35 0 words. Always look for the question words to make sure you answer the question!

make. Without a carefully conceived thesis, an essay has no

chance of success.

For example:

In William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet, we are introduced

to the various views of love trough different characters. This

universal theme makes the play relatable to any teenager who ever

felt confused by the definition of true love. The key is not to choose

a view but to pic what is realistic from each one.

STEP 3 : Write the body paragraphs – the argument

GOOD ARGUMENTS IN A LITERARY ESSAY

HAVE FOUR BASIC INGREDIENTS …

1 A Point/ statement that you are trying to prove

2 Evidence that supports your point

3 An explanation of how your evidence proves

your point

4 A link – That refers back to the topic

It’s easy to remember (PEEL)!

For example,

Benvolio: Romeo you are infatuated by Rosaline not in love! “Be ruled by me and forget to think of her.” Romeo: What but I have shown my love by sending gifts! Benvolio: There are many differences between love and infatuation.

You see even the dictionary agrees with Benvolio’s statement that Romeo is merely infatuated by Rosaline. This adds credibility to his point! Back to the essay lead…

Question example:

In William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet there are many

types of love which can be seen throughout the play, of which

include; unrequited love, courtly love, true love and love at first

sight.

“There is a thin line between love and infatuation”

Comment on the validity of this statement by relating it to the

views and actions of various characters. Your essay must be 3 00 -

35 0 words.

To write the first PEEL paragraph we will have to improve Benvolio’s evidence by referring to the text. NB! Keep the word count in mind when writing your paragraph. A good paragraph average is 80-90 words. An example of a body paragraph follows on the next page!

POINT: Firstly, Romeo's feelings are more akin to infatuation as it is based on physical attraction. EVIDENCE 1 : When he first sees Juliet. In his lines, "Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! / For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night”. EXPLANATION: Romeo confesses to confusing real love with mere physical attraction, a symptom of infatuation. LINK: Romeo’s view of love connects that line between love and infatuation, as it always begins with a physical attraction. (79 words) YOU NEED THREE OF THESE PARAGRAPHS IN A LITERATURE ESSAY! STEP 4 :

Write the conclusion

Your literary analysis essay should have a concluding paragraph that gives your essay a sense of completeness and lets your readers know that they have come to the end of your paper. Your concluding paragraph might restate the thesis in different words, summarize the main points you have made, or make a relevant comment about the literary work you are analysing, but from a different perspective. Do not introduce a new topic in your conclusion.