literary analysis essay tom sawyer

8/10/2019 Literary Analysis Essay Tom Sawyer

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LITERARY ANALYSIS ESSAY

The goal of a Literary Analysis Essay is to discuss your interpretation of a

piece of literature using a specific literary focus.

Your essay will discuss your interpretation of The Adventures of

Tom Sawyer by focusing on Tom’s character.

Things to keep in mind as you write:

Never use “I”, “you”, “we”, or “our.” (Even though this is yourinterpretation, it is still a formal, academic paper).

Do not just retell the story. (This is not a book report.)



5 Paragraph Paper

Intro with thesis

1st Body Paragraph - Elaborates on one element of your thesis.

2nd Body Paragraph - Elaborates on another element of your thesis.

3rd Body Paragraph - Elaborates on yet another element of your

thesis.

Conclusion

All of your Paragraphs must directly connect to

your thesis!!!



THESIS STATEMENTS

Thesis statements make an argument that you work to prove

throughout your essay.

Driving Question: Is Tom a good example of a static or a dynamic

character?

Sample Thesis:

Throughout The Adventures of Tom Sawyer , Twain develops a

dynamic main character, Tom.

OR

Throughout The Adventures of Tom Sawyer , Twain’s main

character Tom remains static.



CONTINUED…

Your topic sentences MUST directly connect to your thesis.

What that means is that you must use the same or very similar

wording in each of your topic sentences as you use in your thesis.

Pay attention to the following example and how the topic sentences

directly connect to the thesis statement.



Thesis

Throughout The Adventures of Tom Sawyer , Twain develops adynamic main character, Tom.

Body Paragraph 1 - Topic Sentence

o One of the first major scenes to show a change in Tom occurs onthe island.

Body Paragraph 2 – Topic Sentence

o Shortly after the island is the funeral scene that continues to showTom as a dynamic character .

Body Paragraph 3 – Topic Sentence

o An important scene towards the end of the book that shows Tom

becoming more mature is the cave.



LITERARY ANALYSIS EVIDENCE

Each body paragraph must be supported by evidence from the

novel.

Evidence must…

• directly support your topic sentence and thesis statement

• prove your argument• be a quote taken directly from the novel



Thesis

Throughout The Adventures of Tom Sawyer , Twain develops a dynamic maincharacter, Tom.

o Body Paragraph 1 - Topic Sentence

o One of the first major scenes to show a change in Tom occurs on the island.

o Evidence: Tom’s praying.

pg. 104 “They said their prayers inwardly.”

o Body Paragraph 2 – Topic Sentence

o Shortly after the island is the funeral scene that continues to show Tom as adynamic character.

o Evidence: Tom realizing someone else’s feelings. pg. 131 “Aunt Polly, it ain’t fair. Somebody’s got to be glad to see

Huck.”

o Body Paragraph 3 – Topic Sentence

o An important scene towards the end of the book that shows Tom’s maturity is thecave.

o Evidence: Tom car ing for Becky.

pg . 228 “….Becky was very weak. She had sunk into a dreary apathy andwould not be roused.”



CONTINUED… (REVIEW)

Your evidence must be imbedded (a part of your sentence).

Example:

While Tom went to find an escape, he used kite string to keep track

of Becky’s location because “….Becky was very weak. She had

sunk into a dreary apathy and would not be roused.”



LITERARY ANALYSIS COMMENTARY

(THE HEART OF A LITERARY ANALYSIS ESSAY)

The goal of commentary is:

to show that you understand what you have quoted.

to show that you can explain how your scene and quote support

your thesis.

Commentary must be 2-3 sentences long!!!



Thesis:

Throughout The Adventures of Tom Sawyer , Twain develops a dynamic maincharacter, Tom.

o Topic Sentence #3:

An important scene towards the end of the book that shows Tom becoming moremature is the cave.

o Evidence to prove my topic sentence and thesis:

While Tom went to find an escape, he used kite string to keep track of Becky’slocation because “….Becky was very weak. She had sunk into a dreary apathy

and would not be roused.”

o Commentary:

Tom knew he had to leave Becky in order to assure her making it out alive.He also knew that he needed a way back to her and a way to assure her ofhis return. Tom’s actions clearly demonstrate his willingness to care forothers and think about their feelings. His actions show him to be mature

and thoughtful – he put someone else’s needs before his own.



Sample paragraph:

An important scene towards the end of the book that shows

Tom becoming more mature is the cave. Tom and Becky go

exploring deep into a cave and get lost. All they have with themare a few candles, a small cake, and some kite string. When

Tom goes to find an escape, he uses kite string to keep track of

Becky’s location because “….Becky was very weak. She had

sunk into a dreary apathy and would not be roused.”4 Tom knew

he had to leave Becky in order to assure her making it out alive.

He also knew that he needed a way back to her and a way toassure her of his return. Tom’s actions clearly demonstrate his

willingness to care for others and think about their feelings. His

actions show him to be mature and thoughtful – he puts

someone else’s needs before his own.

literary analysis essay tom sawyer

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