What is Literary Analysis?

It’s literary
It’s an analysis
It’s--
An Argument!
It may also involve research on and analysis of secondary sources.

*How is it literary?
Usually, a literary analysis will involve a discussion of a text as writing, thus the term literary, which means “having to do with letters”
This will involve the use of certain concepts that are very specifically associated with literature.

*Important key concepts:
The Basics
Plot
Setting
Narration/point of view
Characterization
Symbol
Metaphor
Genre
Irony/ambiguity

*Other key concepts
Historical context
Social, political, economic contexts
Ideology
Multiple voices
Various critical orientations
Literary theory

*What is an analysis?
An analysis of a literary work may discuss
How the various components of an individual work relate to each other
How two separate literary works deal with similar concepts or forms
How concepts and forms in literary works relate to larger aesthetic, political, social, economic, or religious contexts

*How is Literary Analysis an Argument?
When writing a literary analysis, you will focus on specific attribute(s) of the text(s).
When discussing these attributes, you will want to make sure that you are making a specific, arguable point (thesis) about these attributes.
You will defend this point with reasons and evidence drawn from the text. (Much like a lawyer!)