Your assignment is to write a 1,000- word literary analysis over Streetcar Named Desire; Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner; or Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.  You need to use information from at least three sources from the college database in the paper and document quotes or paraphrases with MLA 8th edition in text citations.  The paper should be written in 3rd person:  no “you” and no “I”. 

In a literary analysis, you focus on one element of the piece, such as characterization or theme or you view the piece through the lens of psychology, sociology, history, feminism or another perspective.  You need to be careful not to do a plot summary or synopsis as your paper.  

In the introduction of your paper, provide some pertinent background information about the author and the development of the piece.  By pertinent I mean to connect the author’s life to the piece of literature.  This information will need to be documented with an in text citation.  Provide background information about the play/movie, such as the historical relevance of Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner and/or the significant facts surrounding production of of the piece, such as awards and financial success.  Conclude the introduction with a thesis statement.

In the body of the paper, discuss one aspect of the play/movie.  For example, if you were going to do a feminist interpretation of Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, you could develop the body by developing one paragraph about the role of each of the female characters in the play.  Or you could discuss 3-4 scenes that illustrate the male domination in the play.  If you were going to do a character sketch of Stanley Kowalski from Streetcar Named Desire, you could develop 3-4 paragraphs around scenes which demonstrate his personality traits.   An example topic from Cat on a Hot Tin Roof would be the male/female relationships in the play.  

In each paragraph of the body, you need to include at least one line from the play/movie that illustrates the concept you’re talking about.  

In the conclusion, draw conclusions.  How realistic was the character or situation you are focused on?  Why is this play/movie considered to be a classic in contemporary literature?  

Process

1.  Complete all assignments on plays/movies before beginning writing

2.  View Fiction Analysis by Wenchell on You Tube and take notes

3.  Locate articles on the college database related to your play/movie and author

4.  Do a close reading/viewing of the play, focused on the element you’re writing about

5.  Read the instructions carefully and follow them

6.  Include in text citations for all quoted and paraphrased information.