INTRODUCTION: the first paragraph in your essay. It begins creatively in order to
catch your reader’s interest, provides essential background about the literary work, and
prepares the reader for your major thesis. The introduction must include the author and
title of the work as well as an explanation of the theme to be discussed.
THESIS: a statement that provides the subject and overall opinion of your essay. For a
literary analysis your major thesis must
(1) relate to the theme of the work and
(2) suggest how this theme is revealed by the author. A good thesis may also
suggest the organization of the paper.
BODY: the support paragraphs of your essay. These paragraphs contain supporting
Example: (concrete detail) and analysis/explanation (commentary) for your topic
sentences. Each paragraph in the body includes (1) a topic sentence,
(2) textual evidence
(a.k.a. quotes from your reading) and commentary (a.k.a. explanation), and
(3) a
concluding sentence. In its simplest form.
CONCLUSION: last paragraph in your essay. This paragraph should begin by
echoing your major thesis without repeating the words exactly. Then, the conclusion
should broaden from the thesis statements to answer the “so what?” question your reader
may have after reading your essay.