Skeleton Analysis: Creating a Solid Thesis

1
Skeleton Analysis Creating a Solid Thesis

• What is your point in writing the thesis?
• What is the authors overall message/intent?
• What is the Metaphorical Significance of the
  book?
• How do you connect the authors meaning/metaphor
  to your reader?

2
An example

• On the surface, Mark Twain's The Adventures of
  Huckleberry Finn is a story about a young boy's
  quest for his own brand of freedom.  However,
  upon closer reading, Twain clearly uses the
  journey of Huck Finn to illustrate that our
  personal morality can be at odds with the
  morality of society.  If we are honest with
  ourselves, we will invariably know the difference
  between moral right and wrong.
• What does this thesis tell you in terms of
• Metaphorical significance?
• What the authors direction is?
• What to look for in terms of support?

3

• Perhaps the most memorable trait of
• any species of bean tree is its remarkably
  deep
• roots. Despite its stable nature, the bean
  tree suffers greatly when Mother Nature
  drastically changes its course. There are
  countless ways by which a bean tree can lose its
  life, still its deep roots stay in tact and
  somehow, every year, it breathes life again. In
  Barbara Kingsolvers The Bean Trees, natures
  cycle of rebirth is paralleled with the repeated
  death and resurrection of Turtle Greer.

4
Organize your Skeleton

• Thesis Statement Must be written as analysis
• Quote 1
• Support statement (analysistie into thesis)
• Quote 2
• Support Statement (analysistie into thesis)
• Quote 3
• Support Statement
• Quote 4
• Support Statement
• Conclusion

5
Literary Criticism

• Literary criticism analyzes, interprets, and
  evaluates works of literature.
• Authors present us with work that can have
  multiple meanings, expecting us to consider
  thoughtfully--to interpret.     Noted authors
  often have a body of criticism attached to their
  work.  Critics evaluate and debate the ideas of
  fellow critics.  
• When looking for criticism, check for
• Credentials of the writer
  Quality of the sources--journals, books,
  Websites
• Opinions supported by evidence, relating to
• Characterization Voice Style Theme
  Setting
• Technical qualities of the writing (artistry,
  style, use of language)
• Interpretation Complex
  ideas and problems
• Relationship of work to the time, or social,
  historical, or political trends
• When looking for criticism, AVOID
• Plot summaries, SparkNotes, Pink Monkey, etc.
• Casual posts on discussion groups
• The works of other students
• Author biography