Introduction

Throughout this course, you have learned how to write an expository essay, a rhetorical essay, and a reflective essay. Each of these essays focused on different aspects but held the same format.

In this lesson, you will be learning how to write a literary analysis essay. This type of writing will prepare you for eleventh and twelfth grade English as well as college–level writing. In your literary analysis essay, you will explain whether or not you believe Hester Prynne to be a dynamic character.

dynamic character static character

 

This lesson is aligned with ACOS1 Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text., ACOS2Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text., ACOS3Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme., ACOS4Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone (e.g., how the language evokes a sense of time and place; how it sets a formal or informal tone)., ACOS6Analyze a particular point of view or cultural experience reflected in a work of early American literature to 1900, drawing on a wide reading of American literature., ACOS8Analyze how an author draws on and transforms source material in a specific work (e.g., how Shakespeare treats a theme or topic from Ovid or the Bible or how early American authors draw upon the Bible for religious themes and issues)., ACOS21Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence., ACOS22Write informative or explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content. and ACOS25Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of the first three standards in the Language strand in Grades K–10.). At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate how to write a literary analysis essay,
  • Analyze The Scarlet Letter and write a literary analysis essay.

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