What is the geographical, historical and social setting? How does this affect the story or poem?

Learning Goal: I’m working on a writing report and need an explanation and answer to help me learn.

Analysis of Fiction Grading RubricStudent Name: _____________________

Student Grade:________

Requirements: Analyze one to two stories (you may compare and/or contrast two stories) we have covered thus far in the semester with consideration to setting, characters, point of view, plot, and theme. You may also consider literary devices such as irony, foreshadowing, diction, imagery, personification, etc. – Use at least four sources total (at least 3Galileo or Google Scholar sources and one primary source) to support your thesis. Be sure to submit a works cited page with completed assignment.

(Write a 5-paragraph essay of your own including a thesis with three points. For the thesis, choose three symbols, themes, characters, etc. Use citations from the actual story to strengthen your analysis. Then incorporate research into your essay.)Analysis with outside secondary sources (from Galileo or Google Scholar)

What is a literary analysis?

A literary analysis explains a work of fiction, poetry or drama by means of interpretations. An interpretation is your individual response that addresses the meaning of the work. An interpretation often will be the thesis of your paper. The goal of a literary analysis (as with any other analysis) is to broaden and deepen your understanding of a work of literature.

Requirements: Analyze one to two stories (you may compare and/or contrast two stories) we have covered thus far in the semester with consideration to setting, characters, point of view, plot, and theme. You may also consider literary devices such as irony, foreshadowing, diction, imagery, personification, etc. – Use at least four Galileo or Google Scholar sources to support your thesis. Be sure to submit a works cited page with completed assignment.

After reading the work the first time, ask yourself the following questions:

• What is the geographical, historical and social setting? How does this affect the story or poem?
• Who is (are) the main character(s)?
• Who are the secondary characters, and how are they linked to the main characters?
• Does the main character change? If so, how and why? If not, why not?
• What is the conflict? Can you trace the development and resolution of the conflict?
• Who is telling the story? How does this influence the story or poem?

As you re-read the work, make sure you can answer these questions. Then ask yourself the following questions, which may help you to discover deeper meanings that will lead you to an interpretation.

• Can you summarize the author’s meaning in one paragraph?
• Can you state a theme of the work in one sentence?
• Can you identify any symbols or metaphors? What do they mean?

All of the above questions should be considered during your brainstorming stage, but the essay should not be a series of answers to these questions. Additionally, you should not turn in a plot summary of what happens in the selected work(s). Your analysis should lead your essay with some plot occasionally supporting your ideas, not the other way around.

An analysis of fiction will help you dig deeper into the stories and will aid you throughout the rest of the semester with your understanding of the course material.

(Write an essay of your own using three symbols, themes, characters, etc. Use citations from the actual story to strengthen your analysis. Then incorporate research into your essay.)

Any secondary sources must, of course, be documented. Also, direct quotes should be documented.