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Title

How does the title reflect the work overall and what impression does it leave
on the reader. Is the title a metaphor, and if so, what can it symbolize?
Opening/Ending Dont know which passage to select? Authors begin and end their writings in
Sentences
a meaningful way. What impression does the author give in his/her opening
lines or what impact do they want to leave with the closing lines?
Common
Ex) NATURE- Elements of nature are often changing, so you can reference
Symbols
them to symbolize change within a character or plot. Water is specifically a
strong symbol in literature because it exists in various states. Imagine violent
rapids compared to the light tap of rain on a window. Water can have
different meanings, so consider its use in the literature.
Ex) HUMAN BODY- The human body is also a huge symbol in literature.
Blood usually represents death, hands represent responsibility, and the head
can represent thought or reason.
Ex) NIGHT/DAY OR LIGHT/DARK- Both night/dark represent endings, evil,
and death. Light/day each represent beginnings, good, and life. These are
especially great symbols if you can use them in contrast with one another.
Ex) COLORS- Each color is typically associated with a specific feeling or
mood. When the author mentions a specific color, take note of what that
color represents, and relate this to the overall meaning of the piece.
(Red- romance/passion/violence/intensity, Blue- peace/calm/sadness,
Yellow- happiness/optimism, Orange- warmth/liveliness/balance, Greensafety/greed/natural, Purple- royalty/depression, White- purity/cleanliness,
Black- stress/death/fear/mystery)
Ex) RELIGIOUS- Sometimes religious symbols can mean more than the
immediate connection to church and faith. Religious words can often relate
to qualities like diligence/dedication and importance (what is special to the
character/author).
Alliteration
Alliteration can be one of the easiest figurative languages to pick out.
Ex) SOFT CONSONANTS- These (like s, c, and h) can often give a sad,
sleepy, lonely, or creepy mood.
Ex) HARD CONSONANTS- These (like k,ch,f, and t) can symbolize an angry
and frustrated tone.
Syntax
Depending on the essay, run-on sentences can indicate a number of things.
Perhaps the author is nervous; run-ons allude to speaking/rambling in public.
Diction
Diction is a great tool to use in analysis because every author uses words,
some key types of diction to think about are:
CONNOTATIVE: Do the words the author is using have a common meaning
or affiliation? Does a word have a different meaning in the context of what
the author has written than it might in a different setting?
COLLOQUIAL V. FORMAL: Slang or informal v. formal diction can play a huge
part in the authors tone and also allude to his/her overall purpose.

Perspective or
Point of View

Ethos, Pathos,
and Logos

Rhyming
Scheme

Imagery

Organization

Consider the point of view from which the author writes. Is it first person?
Third person? What is the authors motivation for writing that way? Point of
view can also play a big part in the tone of the piece.
Also look at the perspective from which the author is writing. Is the author
or character male or female? Upper or lower class? An outsider or someone
who fits in? An adult or child? How does that perspective change over the
course of the text?
While some of the most common rhetorical devices are ethos, pathos, and
logos, it is not enough to simply recognize their existence. Why would the
author choose one device over the other? The type of persuasion an author
uses can provide insight into what he/she values. For example, if the author
choose logos, it may show that he/she is more left-side brained.
Rhyming scheme/Rhythym is a huge component in poetry. Consider the
following uses of rhyming scheme/rhythym:
Inconsistent- Maybe the author starts with rhyming or a certain number of
lines in a stanza, but switches halfway through the poem. This can show an
element of change in the author/character.
Rhyming- Rhyming patterns can be used to show structure and make
connections between the two lines that rhyme. Explain how the author used
rhyming to show how two ideas are connected and supported by each other.
Not Rhyming: As with rhyming, choosing not to rhyme can have a powerful
impact on the reader, for it shows a lack of structure and resembles
frustration, disorder, or conflicting ideas.
Imagery is everywhere, and a great tool to use in analysis. It is important to
remember, however, to be specific about the imagery youre talking about,
rather than simply saying that the author uses imagery. Try to think about
the purpose of the imagery in the piece. Does it add to the tone? What
purpose did the author have in creating a certain image? Does any of the
imagery have a dual purpose (ex. Being a symbol or metaphor)?
CAUSE AND EFFECT: If the author uses this type of organization analyze how
the effect in particular changes affects the overall piece
COMPARE AND CONTRAST: What purpose do the two
things/scenarios/people that the author is comparing serve? What do their
differences/similarities add to the piece?

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