Literary Analysis Guidelines and Rubric 1301 Online Length: 3-3.5 pages, typed, MLA format Research: Two sources, minimum required Due dates:

•        Selected piece and additional source due in D2L Sunday, November 23, 2025.

•        Introductory paragraph and one body paragraph for literary analysis essay, due in D2L, Sunday, November 30, 2025

•        Rough draft of literary analysis essay due in D2L (must be within 75% of target length to get credit), Wednesday, December 3, 2025

•        Completed graphic organizer and annotations for each piece, due in D2L Sunday, December 7, 2025

•        Final draft of literary analysis essay due in D2L Sunday, December 7, 2025

Directions:

Write a literary analysis of one of the following literary works (listed in the Writing Guidelines section of our course, Readings for Literary Analysis Essay) NOTE: You must choose one of these to analyze for your essay:

•        Girl by Jamaica Kincaid

•        Honor Story by Carmen Maria Machado

•        Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allen Poe

•        We Wear the Mask by Paul Lawrence Dunbar

•        Undertaker by Patricia Smith

In preparation of this essay, you will be required to read and annotate all the readings. You will then complete a graphic organizer for all the readings. You will then select one of the readings to writer your essay over.

Guidelines:

•        Intro paragraph/thesis:

-         Engaging opening that introduces the general topic of the essay

-         Logical procession to the thesis that is easily identifiable

-         Thesis reflects a specific idea based on critical thinking

-         Title of the work analyzed and the author are referenced

•        Body Paragraphs / Organization:

-         Each topic sentence connects to the thesis

English 1301: Composition I Rhonda Jackson Joseph Page 2

-         Topic sentences reflect concrete details that are supported

-         Paragraphs are arranged logically and are cohesive

Critical Analysis Through Literary Device Lens:

-         Shows a clear understanding of the work analyzed

-         Shows insightful conclusions from critical reading

-         Focuses on the elements of the text

-         Balance between quoted material and writer’s analysis

Language/ Style / Voice:

-         Writer’s voice is clear and confident

-         Writing is academic in tone

Mechanics:

-         MLA citations and Work Cited page are collect

-         Grammar, spelling, and syntax are mastered

-         Paper follows guidelines of double spacing. Times New Roman, 12 point font