Short Story Analysis Paper

Assignment: Write an analysis of a short story we have read.

To begin: Choose one or two literary devices to examine in your paper (imagery, metaphors, similes, theme, setting, tone, character, etc).

Form:

First paragraph—introduction

  • Attention-grabber (question, quotation, short story, joke, definition of a word)

    State your thesis (the main idea/point you will be writing about in the body of your paper

    •

    • Second, third, and (maybe) fourth paragraphs—body of your paper

  • Discuss specific lines, phrases, and ideas from the story. Make sure you don’t quote the whole story! Pick three or four significant examples/quotes from the story. Explain the examples/quotes and how they fit.

    • Last paragraph—conclusion

    Restate your thesis

    Do not write "In conclusion!"

    General information:

    Instead of

  • Amy Tan shows characterization of Jing Mei’s mother when she writes that Jing Mei’s mother had "a quiet, blank look that said she had lost everything (Tan 56).
    •

    • Try

  • Jing Mei’s mother expressed her immense disappointment with "a quiet, blank look that said she had lost everything" (Tan 56).

    • "quote from the story" (author page number).

    two spaces period after parentheses

    Form for your paper:

    Do not include any of the following:

    You need a title for your paper. Don't just write the name of the story. The title shouldn't be underlined or in quotes.

     

    No late papers will be accepted! No exceptions! Do not ask! Come to class prepared!

    Grading for Rough Draft

    Spelling, mechanics, punctuation, sentence structure /5

    Correct use of quotations from the story /10

    Following instructions

    (title, DS, font, intro, conclusion) /5

    body of your paper /10

  • Total points possible: /30
    •

    •