Literary Analysis Guidelines and Rubric 1301 Online Length: 3-3.5 pages, typed, MLA format Research: Two sources, minimum required Due dates:
• Selected piece and additional source due in D2L Sunday, November 23, 2025.
• Introductory paragraph and one body paragraph for literary analysis essay, due in D2L, Sunday, November 30, 2025
• Rough draft of literary analysis essay due in D2L (must be within 75% of target length to get credit), Wednesday, December 3, 2025
• Completed graphic organizer and annotations for each piece, due in D2L Sunday, December 7, 2025
• Final draft of literary analysis essay due in D2L Sunday, December 7, 2025
Directions:
Write a literary analysis of one of the following literary works (listed in the Writing Guidelines section of our course, Readings for Literary Analysis Essay) NOTE: You must choose one of these to analyze for your essay:
• Girl by Jamaica Kincaid
• Honor Story by Carmen Maria Machado
• Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allen Poe
• We Wear the Mask by Paul Lawrence Dunbar
• Undertaker by Patricia Smith
In preparation of this essay, you will be required to read and annotate all the readings. You will then complete a graphic organizer for all the readings. You will then select one of the readings to writer your essay over.
Guidelines:
• Intro paragraph/thesis:
– Engaging opening that introduces the general topic of the essay
– Logical procession to the thesis that is easily identifiable
– Thesis reflects a specific idea based on critical thinking
– Title of the work analyzed and the author are referenced
• Body Paragraphs / Organization:
– Each topic sentence connects to the thesis
English 1301: Composition I Rhonda Jackson Joseph Page 2
– Topic sentences reflect concrete details that are supported
– Paragraphs are arranged logically and are cohesive
Critical Analysis Through Literary Device Lens:
– Shows a clear understanding of the work analyzed
– Shows insightful conclusions from critical reading
– Focuses on the elements of the text
– Balance between quoted material and writer’s analysis
Language/ Style / Voice:
– Writer’s voice is clear and confident
– Writing is academic in tone
Mechanics:
– MLA citations and Work Cited page are collect
– Grammar, spelling, and syntax are mastered
– Paper follows guidelines of double spacing. Times New Roman, 12 point font