THE PERFECT LITERARY ANALYSIS ESSAY
Below is a list of the characteristics that the revision of your take home essay should contain:
1. Mature diction—no linking verbs (is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been)
2. No comma splices (e.g., The character shows maturity, however, he lacks compassion.)
3. No run on sentences (e.g., The doctor cut off the sleeve of my shirt then she cleaned the deep gash in my arm.)
4. A title that includes the title of the book and catchy phrase or summary of paper—do not underline title of paper
5. Incorporation of title and author in first paragraph if not in title
6. At least 3 quotations from the text, using parenthetical documentation
7. Correct punctuation for book title—underline OR italics (never both)
8. Present tense verbs
9. Correct documentation for quotes; watch punctuation
e.g., He thought that “the only way to prove himself was to go into the blaze, and then figuratively to watch his legs to discover their merits and faults” (Crane 14).
10. No contractions
11. No use of any form of “get”
12. No clichés
13. Opening paragraph that engages the reader, using short direct sentences like in the “Openers” handout; a clear thesis that informs the reader what your paper will be about
14. An error free Works Cited page—see below for sample—remember that if you have more than one work, you must cite both and use examples from both
Works Cited
Crane, Stephen. The Red Badge of Courage. New York:
Norton, 1976.
15. No use of first person, such as “I” or “WE”
16. An essay that fully answers the prompt and analyzes the text
17. No fragments (e.g., While we waited patiently for information about the overdue train)
18. Development of body paragraphs—usually well-developed paragraph has 6—10 sentences and at least 3 points
19. Transitional sentences that connect new paragraphs; use of transitions within paragraphs
