What You Need to Get Started

In starting this blog and trying to get the format hammered out, it completely slipped my mind that you might need to know what you need before starting your paper. This is probably the most important thing you can read, since format is nothing when you have nothing to work from.

First you will need a novel for your analysis paper. Most likely your teacher will have this picked out for you, sometimes you are not so lucky

You will need to have read the material. Sometimes again you are not so lucky and have problems with time management, been there done that. I found a lot of my information, even when I did read the novel, on a website called Spark Notes. (Again, this is posted on the left for your convenience.)

You will need a theme. If you are having trouble with picking a theme Spark Notes is a great resource for picking good one. (Only if your teacher isn’t familiar with this site; if they are do not give them a reason to mark you down, make Spark Notes’ ideas your ideas.)

Once you have a theme you have the basis for your thesis statement. Once you have this you can add in your literary devices. Again, Spark Notes is a great way to REFRESH your memory on what devices were in the material. Spark Notes is great at giving symbols, metaphors, motifs and themes.

And your quotes, you need your proof. Not all examples in your paper need be direct quotes, paraphrasing works just as well.

I will try to dig up one of my old essays as an example, wish me luck on that one!