A Checklist for reading and writing about literature

· Give yourself to the reading the first time through and make your notes on the second reading.

· Remember that theme, symbolism, and language are concerns in nearly all literary works.

· When reading fiction, think about plot, character, setting, and point of view.

· Read poems aloud, and, as you do, think about meter and rhyme.

· Try to employ both factual analysis and informed speculation about the meanings in the work.

· Identify what interests or confuses you most, and use that as the basis of your analysis.

· Develop an essay on literature as you would other argumentative essays, with a thesis, evidence, warrants.

· Avoid mere plot summarizing and character analysis.

· Let the structure of your argument take priority over the structure of the text you are interpreting.

· Write in the present tense.

(From Writing worth Reading)

Source:

Clark, Irene L. Writing in the Center. 3rd ed. Iowa: Kendall/Hunt, 1998.