The Art of the Novel Sheet

Seeking
Perfection
 MLA Citations

PRO TIP: Go to the OWL at Purdue ( literally Google that)

for how to cite properly. MLA changes every few years.
 Historical/ Literary Period

PRO TIP: Make sure you acknowledge ALL of the contexts

we discuss.
i.e. Harlem Renaissance and Modernism
 Author Biography
PRO TIP:
The best
remark on
WHY these
features of
authors
bio are
important.
 Setting

PRO TIP: We know where the book takes place. What is

important about that location? How does it affect the
tone and the mood of the text?
 Main
Charact
ers
PRO TIP: Should
focus on
characterizatio
n, meaning
character
traits, not role
or plot.
 Plot
PRO TIP: Plot
must be
divided
into the
five
elements
of plot (by
categorizin
g the plot,
you are
analyzing.
Otherwise
you are
just
Textual
Analysi
s
PRO TIP: It
says
passageS,
boys &
girls. Your
explanation
should be
longer than
the actual
quote you
are
 Textual Analysis: Alternative?
An alternative
method of
analyzing
the text:
Include a
larger
passage and
complete a
close
reading.
Expectation
for analysis
is higher.
 Them
e

PRO TIP: THEMES CANNOT BE A SINGLE WORD. GET ON

BOARD. MY FRESHMEN KNOW THIS ALREADY.
 Literary Criticism

PRO TIP: You need to show the application of a literary

critical theory. From here on out, choose a Lit Crit Theory
and explore your text in this category.
PRO TIP: You
need a variety
Literary Techniques &
of devices and Devices
techniques.

Symbols
Tone
Language
Narrative
structure
(frame
narrative,
flashbacks,
etc.)
Motifs
 PRO TIP:
Must
Intertextuality include
(but not
limited to)
the texts
we read in
class
(poems,
speeches,
excerpts).
All texts
should
have
commonly
accepted
literary
 Discussion Questions

PRO TIP: WHY LOSE THESE FIVE POINTS?!