Writing a literary analysis can seem like a barefoot walk through the sand on a hot summer day. You may not feel sure of your footing when you take a step, and there will always be that pressure to move quickly through it.
Like any form of writing, literary analysis has its own rules. These rules are meant to give structure to literary writing that anyone can understand and follow.
A literary essay should be written in third person and present tense. Always refer to the literary work in terms of “he,” “she,” or “they.” You should normally avoid the use of “you,” but especially when writing about literature.
Likewise, refer to the events in the literary work as if they’re happening now. There may be times where the past tense can be useful, such as when referring to previous back story or the story’s historical context. However, any action that is directly shown in a story should be discussed in the present tense.
In general, refer to the author by last name after first mentioning him or her. So if I were discussing William Shakespeare, I’d bring up his full name to the audience once and then call him “Shakespeare” through the rest of the essay.
Most importantly, a literary analysis should never summarize the text. Assume that your audience is reasonably familiar with the work you’re discussing. Explain just enough to give context to your argument, so that your audience understands what you’re trying to prove. A literary essay should show how you interpret the text, not simply retell the story.
While this may sound demanding, literary analysis looks more overwhelming than it really is. With time and practice, the rules of literary writing become easier to navigate.
See you next time the breeze is cool, the sun is up, and the waves roll into view! ‘Til then, hang ten!
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