Outlining the Outlining the Literary AnalysisLiterary Analysis

Spark notes, Shmoop, etcSpark notes, Shmoop, etc

1.1. YOU SHOULD NOT BE GETTING YOU SHOULD NOT BE GETTING QUOTES FROM THESE PAGES – IF QUOTES FROM THESE PAGES – IF YOU DO, YOU WILL GET AN YOU DO, YOU WILL GET AN AUTOMATIC ZERO.AUTOMATIC ZERO.

Start with note cardsStart with note cards

1.1. Sort your note cards by key word.Sort your note cards by key word.

2.2. Within each key word, sort like or same Within each key word, sort like or same ideas together.ideas together.

3.3. Re-label and move note cards that are Re-label and move note cards that are not in the right pile.not in the right pile.

Now look at your thesis statement—does Now look at your thesis statement—does this organization of note cards follow this organization of note cards follow your thesis?your thesis?

Re-organize the piles until you have sorted Re-organize the piles until you have sorted your notes into groups that support your your notes into groups that support your thesis statement.thesis statement.

For example, if your thesis statement is: In For example, if your thesis statement is: In her novella, her novella, The ShawlThe Shawl, Cynthia Ozick , Cynthia Ozick utilizes characterization, symbolism, and utilizes characterization, symbolism, and unique narrative techniques to explain how unique narrative techniques to explain how human cruelty caused lasting emotional human cruelty caused lasting emotional damage to Holocaust survivors, you would damage to Holocaust survivors, you would have piles labeled “characterization”, have piles labeled “characterization”, “symbolism” and “narrative techniques”.“symbolism” and “narrative techniques”.

These Key Word should become the main These Key Word should become the main ideas (Roman numerals) of your outline.ideas (Roman numerals) of your outline.

I.I. CharacterizationCharacterization

II.II.SymbolismSymbolism

III.III.Narrative TechniquesNarrative Techniques

Now you need to deal with each stack of note Now you need to deal with each stack of note cards individually. cards individually.

Go through the cards—rank them by what is Go through the cards—rank them by what is the most important/pertinent information.the most important/pertinent information.

Match secondary source cards with the Match secondary source cards with the quotes from your novel that they explain or quotes from your novel that they explain or match quotes with secondary source cards match quotes with secondary source cards as evidence.as evidence.

Create a “discard” pile of cards you don’t Create a “discard” pile of cards you don’t think you’ll use.think you’ll use.

Don’t actually throw them away—you Don’t actually throw them away—you might still need them later!might still need them later!

Once you’ve decided what the most Once you’ve decided what the most important evidence is, consider how important evidence is, consider how many different paragraphs you’ll need to many different paragraphs you’ll need to fully analyze each section of your thesis fully analyze each section of your thesis statement.statement.

Write rough drafts of the topic sentences Write rough drafts of the topic sentences for those paragraphs and sort the for those paragraphs and sort the pertinent cards with that paragraph.pertinent cards with that paragraph.

Organize your topic sentences in the way Organize your topic sentences in the way you want them in your paper.you want them in your paper.

Transfer this information to your working outline—use Transfer this information to your working outline—use ONLY phrases, no complete sentences!ONLY phrases, no complete sentences!

I.I. Key word Key word A.A. Main Idea Main Idea

1. Quote1. Quote2. Analysis2. Analysis3. Back-up (proof from another source that your 3. Back-up (proof from another source that your analysis is correct.)analysis is correct.)

B.B. Main IdeaMain Idea1. Quote1. Quote2. Analysis2. Analysis3. Back-up (proof from another source that your 3. Back-up (proof from another source that your analysis is correct.)analysis is correct.)

Continue with capital letters (representing Continue with capital letters (representing paragraphs) until you feel you have paragraphs) until you feel you have exhausted the topic and are ready to exhausted the topic and are ready to transition to another topic (the next key transition to another topic (the next key word). word).

Your outline should not have any Your outline should not have any information from the introduction or information from the introduction or conclusion of your paper.conclusion of your paper.

It must have the thesis statement at the top.It must have the thesis statement at the top.

It must follow an alphanumeric format.It must follow an alphanumeric format.

You may want to include the card number You may want to include the card number and/or parenthetical citation at the end of and/or parenthetical citation at the end of each entry—this will help you go back each entry—this will help you go back and get the correct information when you and get the correct information when you actually write the paper.actually write the paper.