Have you ever tried to assemble a 1000-piece puzzle? What if you had to do it without looking at the front of the box where the completed puzzle is pictured?
Typically, seeing the big picture is the only way to figure out where all the pieces fit, and this is true in other areas of life too. When you’re required to write an analytical essay, knowing how all the parts should fit together can make it much easier to create your first or “rough” draft. A literary analysis essay, like other types of arguments, has three parts: a claim statement, reasons, and evidence. You should already have a claim statement written down, along with examples and excerpts from Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry that you will use as evidence of your claim. Now you just need to identify your reasons—that is, why you believe your claim to be true.
In the literary analysis of S. E. Hinton’s The Outsiders, the writer makes this claim: The novel suggests that within the violent, poverty-stricken world of the greasers, being able to make wise, careful decisions is key to survival. The paragraph below explains part of the writer’s reasoning and also incorporates some textual evidence.
At the beginning of the novel, Ponyboy makes one poor decision after another. The novel begins with him walking home alone from the movies. Ponyboy himself points out that this decision is not smart; then he is promptly attacked by Socs and must be rescued by his friends. Next, Ponyboy makes another foolish decision when he argues with Darry and runs away from home. This time, his poor choice involves someone other than himself—Johnny decides to go with him. Once again, Ponyboy points out the obvious: The two of them together are not much better at defending themselves than Ponyboy is by himself. And once again, because of Ponyboy’s poor decisions, the two find themselves in a fight with four Socs. This time, though, the other greasers aren’t around to save them, and Johnny kills a Soc to save Ponyboy’s life.
Question
What reason does the writer give in support of his or her claim, and what evidence is included?
Try putting your own reasons into words. Look at your claim and the evidence you collected in a file; then write out your reasons for believing the claim. Also list the evidence that will support each reason.
