Think about the difference between a cake that turns out beautifully and one that looks a little . . . sad. The difference is may be the result of a poorly executed process: One baker followed the steps of the recipe carefully while the other did not.
Writing an analytical claim is a little like baking a cake. Each step is important, and if you move ahead in the process or skip a step, it probably won't turn out well. Of course, the end product is not a delicious dessert to share with your friends and family. Instead, it is a highly meaningful thesis statement—a short, concise sentence that states what you believe to be true about a work of literature. Your thesis statement is your most focused version of the claim that your will try to prove in your literary analysis essay.
Study the steps below for building a claim, creating a thesis statement, and writing an analytical essay. As you read about each step, think about the steps that you have already completed as you wrote journal entries for previous lessons.
Asking questions as you read helps you engage with the text and get your ideas flowing. Some questions you might ask yourself about The Diary of a Young Girl include
- What events seem most important?
- What was Anne's purpose for keeping a diary?
- What messages or themes does the diary express?
- What can I learn about life or humanity from The Diary of a Young Girl?
As you read, you should also look for answers to your questions. You probably won't see these answers stated directly in the text. Instead, you'll need to draw conclusions based on evidence, such as how events are described, how characters react to situations, and the way the author's ideas are presented. You might draw these conclusions about The Diary of a Young Girl, for instance.
- To stay sane, Anne focuses more on her interactions with family members than with what is happening outside the Annex.
- The Diary of a Young Girl reminds readers how false and tragic the Nazi's ideas about ethnic differences were.
Once you have answered some of your own questions about the text—by drawing conclusions, you can begin to gather evidence that supports each answer. During this step you should choose which conclusion will become the topic of your claim and thesis statement. Then look for passages, events, and direct quotes that will support your conclusion. Here is some evidence for the claim To stay sane, Anne focuses more on her interactions with family members than with what is happening outside the Annex:
- Most of the time, Anne is prompted to write in her diary by events that occur inside the Annex—not outside it.
- The longest and most detailed diary entries provide "blow-by-blow" descriptions of conflicts between Anne and other residents of the Annex.
Your thesis statement should state what you believe to be true, in one concisely worded sentence. It might express a theme developed in a book, explain the importance of one event in a story, sum up a character's reaction to a situation, or state the purpose of a work of literature. Read these possible thesis statements based on The Diary of a Young Girl.
- Anne Frank's courage often took the form of relentless optimism; her positive attitude and strong spirit helped her through some of the darkest days in history.
- "Kitty" did more than help Anne express her feelings—the diary also helped Anne better understand herself and her situation.
Notice how both of these statements can be supported by evidence and events found in the Anne Frank's diary.
In an analytical essay, your goal is to help readers understand why you believe what you do about a work of literature—why your interpretation is valid, in other words. To convince readers, you'll need to explain your reasons and provide evidence to support them. Your essay should contain these parts:
- An introduction that engages readers and provides context for your claim, and then ends with your thesis statement
- Body paragraphs that present evidence your claim, such as descriptions of important events, characters' reactions, or the author's tone.
- A concluding paragraph that sums up your interpretation of the book and reminds readers of your reasons for believing it is true
Writing a good thesis statement may be the most important step you take on your way to an effective literary analysis essay. Use the activity below to check your understanding.
Which sentence would make the best start on a thesis statement?
A thesis statement should make a claim that can be explained, supported, and elaborated on. It should not simply state a fact from the story or offer an opinion.
A thesis statement should make a claim that can be explained, supported, and elaborated on. It should not simply state a fact from the story or offer an opinion.
A thesis statement should make a claim that can be explained, supported, and elaborated on. It should not simply state a fact from the story or offer an opinion.
Which sentence would NOT make a good thesis statement because it is something that nearly all readers would already accept as true?
Your thesis statement should state an idea that other readers might disagree with. Instead of simply stating a fact, your thesis statement should identify a bigger truth or message this is debatable.
Your thesis statement should state an idea that other readers might disagree with. Instead of simply stating a fact, your thesis statement should identify a bigger truth or message this is debatable.
Your thesis statement should state an idea that other readers might disagree with. Instead of simply stating a fact, your thesis statement should identify a bigger truth or message this is debatable.
Which thesis statement identifies a theme in The Diary of a Young Girl?
Sacrifice is a universal theme that can be found in many books, including The Diary of a Yong Girl.
Sacrifice is a universal theme that can be found in many books, including The Diary of a Yong Girl.
Sacrifice is a universal theme that can be found in many books, including The Diary of a Yong Girl.
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