Short Stories: Writing an Analysis

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Short StoriesWriting an Analysis

• Ms. Lauren Blankenship

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Brainstorm
Example
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Step 1

• What is the Theme of this story?
• The general idea or insight that the story reveals

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Step 2

• What is the story about?
• The summary of the story allows you to draw on
  your insight.

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Step 3

• What is the Thesis Statement of your paper?
• Use the theme of the story
• Say how effectively the author uses various
  aspects of the story to develop that theme.

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Step 4

• Analyze the Point of View
• First person- I
• Third person- He, She, They
• Limited Third Person
• Central Intelligence Omniscient

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Step 5

• Analyze the Setting
• Does the story take place in a specified time and
  place?
• What are the characters wearing?
• What furniture, houses, methods of transportation
  and the like are used in the story.
• Does time shift in the story?

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Step 6

• Analyze the Characters
• Who is the Protagonist?
• Who is the Antagonist?
• Flat, Round, Static, Dynamic characters.

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Step 7

• Analyze the Plot
• What is the exposition?
• Is there any foreshadowing?
• What occurs during the rising action?
• Where is the moment of tension?
• What happens in the climax?
• What occurs in the falling action?
• What is the resolution?

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Step 8

• Analyze the Imagery, Tone, and Style
• Look for words that appeal to senses.
• Look for similes and metaphors.
• What mood is conveyed by the authors use of
  words? (bitterness, happiness?)
• Is there any irony in the story?

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Step 9

• Examine the Story for Symbols
• Is there any repeated symbolism?
• Are those symbols connected to some larger
  meaning?

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Step 10

• Write Your Paper!
• Combine all of these steps into a well developed
  paper

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Helpful Reminders

• Use direct quotes from the story as evidence to
  your statements.
• This paper is impersonal. (Avoid I)
• Use in-text citations that coincide with your
  Works Cited Page
• For further questions go to- 10 Steps of Analysis

Good Luck!
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