BCCC Tutoring Center
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Conventions for Writing a Literary Analysis Paper
This handout can be used in conjunction with the Tutoring Center’s resource, How to Write a
Literary Analysis Paper.
Your Writing Style and Voice
Use formal, academic diction (word choice) in a literary analysis. Therefore, write in the third
person. First person (I, me, our, we, etc.) and second person (you) are too informal for academic
writing, and most literature professors prefer students to write in third person.
The Literary Present
Do not write about a literary text in the past tense. Instead, use the “literary present.” Literary
works are considered to exist in the present tense. In academic writing, it is expected that you
will write a literary analysis in the present tense.
Audience
Consider your audience as you write your literary analysis. Assume that your audience is your
professor and other students in your class. Remember, you do not need to retell or summarize
the piece of literature. Instead, your purpose is to analyze and interpret the literary work in
relation to your thesis (your argument). Therefore, avoid plot summary in a literary analysis.
Organization
o As with other types of academic writing, a literary analysis should adhere to the introduction,
body paragraph, conclusion model.
o Your argument and your voice must carry the weight in a literary analysis paper. Even
if you incorporate research in your paper, be sure that it supports your own argument and
does not overtake your voice.
o Again, avoid plot summary, and construct a specific thesis statement that conveys a claim
that you will prove in your body paragraphs.
1. Introductory Paragraph
o The thesis statement should typically appear in your first paragraph and is
usually embedded at the end of this introductory paragraph.
In a lengthy research paper, sometimes the thesis statement appears in
the second paragraph.
o You must make clear, full reference to the literary work and author you are
writing about somewhere in your introductory paragraph.
o Include any relevant background information that your reader might need to
understand your overall purpose.
2. Body/Developmental Paragraphs
o Each subsequent paragraph after the introduction must include topic
sentences, and these topic sentences, as well as the content of each paragraph,
must support the thesis statement.
Topic sentences (usually the first sentence in each paragraph):
1. Relate the details of the paragraph to your overall thesis.
2. Tie the details of the paragraph together (paragraph unity).
o A solid literary analysis contains an explanation of your ideas and evidence