How to write a Literary Analysis Essay

Literature essays are common for students pursuing literature courses. One of the most important factors to consider when writing a literature essay is that you are going beyond presenting simple review of the book or novel. The main goal of a literary analysis paper is to given an in-depth discussion of the novel giving interpretation to the style and the literary devices that have been used. In addition, the essay must keep the basic format of writing an essay and adhere to all the instructions that have been given by your instructor. There are important points that must be adhered to when writing a literary analysis essay.

First, it is important to note that literary essays are written in first present tense and not in past tense. Unlike scientific essays that report on what has been researched, literary analysis essays gives current interpretation and understanding of the piece of literature and therefore the essay has to be written in present tense.

Second, do not put yourself into the literary analysis. This implies that the paper should be written in third person and words like “I” and “You” should not appear in the essay. However, note that there are exceptional to this rule because sometimes your instructor might ask you to give your personal opinion regarding the interpretation of the piece of literature in which you will have to put yourself in the analysis.

Third most important point to note when writing a literary analysis essay is that because this is not a book review do not repeat the story as has been told in the novel or in the piece of literature you are analyzing. It is important that you form a thesis statement that express you stand on the literature material and the rest of the paper should be used to support and prove the validity of the thesis statement.

Fourth, there are important literary devices that must surface in your essay. Some of the literary devices that should be included in your essay include:

• Character
• Plot
• Theme
• Setting
• Imagery
• Rhyme
• Figurative language
• Symbols
• Alliteration
• Protagonist

The way you employ the above literary devices will prove you mastery of the subject. Therefore, it is important that you understand how they are employed in your analysis in order to place them in their correct context.