Literary Analysis

The Hunger Games

Analysis is…• Picking apart an idea or work to take a close look

at how it works or how it is put together. • For your essay, you will analyze how the author

develops theme.• You will consider the work as a whole to

determine some possible theme statements that could be conveyed throughout the work. You will then cite textual evidence to support your claimed theme, and you will clarify how that theme is developed throughout the novel.

• A story’s theme is its central message the author is trying to convey. Theme is not generally stated, but is conveyed through events, motivations, dialogue, and plot elements. The Hunger Games features many different potential themes. Your task is to analyze and discuss the emergence of a single theme in Hunger Games. You may address this in two different ways:o Write an essay with an introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The first body

paragraph will address theme emergence in the first half of the novel. The second body paragraph will address theme emergence in the second half of the novel. Each body paragraph will include two citations from the appropriate section of the novel, for a total of four citations.

o Write an essay with an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The first body paragraph will address theme emergence in part one with one citation. The second body paragraph will address theme emergence in part two with one citation. The third body paragraph will address theme emergence in part three with one citation. The essay features three total citations.

• Each body paragraph will begin with a topic sentence to introduce what will be shown about each half or part of the novel. The textual evidence will follow using the claim/cite/clarify model (3C). Body paragraphs will end with appropriate closure/transition.

• Your essay will follow the format outlined in the graphic organizer, and will meet the standards prescribed by the grading rubric. The essay will feature MLA formatting in all areas, including works cited, parenthetical documentations, titles, page numbers, etc.

Structure• For either prompt choice, your essay will follow

the structure below.

o Introductiono Body paragraphs (two or three)o Conclusion

Parts of the Introduction

• Attention getter• Background/context• Thesis/preview

• When talking about literature, YOU MUST ALWAYS include background of novel. You should not, however, allow summary to dominate the introduction (or body!).

Attention Grabber• Quote: “The first dandelion of the year…and I

knew how we were going to survive” (Collins 32), thinks Katniss.

• Definition: Hope is “to want something to happen or be true” (“Hope”).

• Historical background: Dystopias are prevalent in literature, and these corrupt societies typically shape the protagonist.

Background/context Sentences

• You have a lot of free reign here. Transition from your attention getter to the thesis. Anything related to your thesis applies.

• This is usually 2-3 sentences.

• In The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, the hope that this dandelion brings Katniss allows her to save her family from death. As the novel progresses, Katniss’s dedication to her family is evident.

Thesis/preview• This tells the reader what your essay is going to

be about. • It is a statement, NOT a question• This will most likely be the LAST sentence of your

introduction.• Parts of thesis statement

o What you are going to prove (CLAIM)o How you are going to prove it (Points)

Points• The points are what you are using to prove your

essay; these can range from 2-4 and should be listed in a parallel manner (same grammatical structure).

• Your points will be a general description of the evidence you will use to support your theme statement. You will NOT address specific evidence at this point, and you will NOT clarify your evidence at his point. The points will only be previewed in the thesis.

Sample thesis• ______________________________ is a theme

exemplified in Hunger Games through Katniss’ actions during the games and her thoughts concerning Peeta throughout the novel.

Sample Introduction• “The first dandelion of the year…and I knew how

we were going to survive” (Collins 32), thinks Katniss. The hope that this dandelion brings allows the protagonist in Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games, Katniss, to save her family from death. As the novel progresses, her dedication to her loved ones is evident. Two themes that can be found in The Hunger Games include hope saves people and people sacrifice for those they love.

• This introduction combines all the parts we have discussed

Literary Present• First, when writing about literature, you should

always use the literary present. This just means to write in present tense, never past or future.

IMPORTANT!!!!• I should never see any of these words in your

essay, especially not in your thesis:

• In this essay, you will read…• I will prove…• I think…• The next paragraphs…• I believe…• You (any for, ever)• This quote says…• In my opinion…• NOTE: Write in third person objective!

Body Paragraphs• Topic sentence- you start by stating how you will demonstrate

theme in general, i.e. Katniss’ actions, Katniss’ description of family, etc.

• Then follow 3C’s: - Claim a scene that proves this theme and establish the context for the scene by explaining what’s going on in the story, who the characters involved are.... - Cite text by correctly quoting text - Clarify is the most important part. This should be at least two to three sentences that explain why/how your scene/citation is related to the theme AND to the text as a whole.• Concluding sentence- final sentence should link this specific

theme to work and points discussed in this paragraph• REPEAT 3C’s for second body paragraph—make sure this

paragraph is distinct from first paragraph, not repetitive.

Using Quotes in an Essay

• Step 1• Introduce your quote: Quotes can never stand

alone!!!• You can incorporate the words into your essay

o Poe writes “nodding, nearly napping” (32).

• Write a sentence as normal, add a colon, and then use the quoteo Poe uses alliteration often: “nodded, nearly napping” (32).

• Choose a quote from your theme list. Introduce it and incorporate it into a sentence.

Using Quotes in an Essay

• Step 2• Cite your quote according to MLA guidelines• The author’s last name and page number should

be in parentheses immediately following the quote

• Notice the order of a citation “_______” ( ).• One line states “nodded, nearly napping” (Poe 1). • Cite your quote

Using Quotes in an Essay

• Step 3• Explain your quote (clarify)• While it is great you have found a quote that relates

to what you are proving, it has no significance unless you can actually state why it is important or how it relates to what you are trying to prove.

• Example: One line states “nodded, nearly napping” (1). The reader understands that the narrator was asleep and is awakened by the sound he hears outside the window.

• Explain the quote you have chosen. Then link that quote to the theme you have chosen.

Using Quotes in an Essay

• Things to remember• You should never use two quotes in a row. Each

quote must be explained.• Be sure to clearly relate what is seen in the quote to

what you are trying to prove!• When you clarify, avoid using the same words from

the original quote to explain; the goal is NOT to put the quote in your own words. It is to answer the question, “why is your quote important?”

• Double check to make sure the claim, cite, clarify you have generated does not have any of these pitfalls.

Sample body paragraph

• Hope does save people, as proven in the power Katniss finds in her partnership with Peeta. When Claudius Templesmith announces the rule change, Katniss has hope that she and Peeta will actually make it home: “So, who is there left to be afraid of?” (248). Before the games, Katniss needs to win, but she is not sure she can. Once the rule change is announced, she goes through the remaining tributes in her mind and realizes that she can win with Peeta on her side, and they can both go home. This renewed hope jolts her out of her depression and anger after Rue’s death and forces her to make a plan and execute it: “Next time we eat, it will be in the Capitol” (327). Hope ignites her confidence and makes her realize that she and Peeta can be as lethal as any of the other tributes. They can survive together.

Transitions• Each body paragraph after the first one should

start with a transition word or sentence. • Transitions link one paragraph to the next.• Example, if my first body paragraph is about hope,

and my second body paragraph is about sacrifice for family, I might use the following sentence:

• Although hope makes Katniss and her family survive, she is willing to give up all hope of survival so that her loved ones will not suffer.

• OR • Next, The Hunger Games shows that sacrifice for

loved ones is important.

Your Turn• Now work your claim, cite, clarify into an entire

paragrapho Introduce the themeo Use your claim, cite, clarifyo Drive home how it backs up your theme

Conclusion• This is the easiest paragraph to write.

• 1st sentence: flipped thesis (not repeated thesis!)

• 2nd sentence: a reference back to your first point• 3rd sentence: a reference back to your second

point• 4th sentence: a link back to your attention getter

• The middle sentences can be combined, but focus on quality!!!

Sample Conclusion• Hope and sacrifice for family resonate throughout

The Hunger Games. Katniss is ready to give up multiple times throughout the novel, and continues to receive hope from nature, people, and circumstances that keeps her going. She is also willing to give everything up so that those she loves can survive. That first dandelion of the year gives Katniss hope and allows her to sacrifice her childhood so that her family can eat. This weed is her ticket to life.

• Write your own conclusion

Things to remember• No “YOU” , except inside quote

• No “I”, except inside quote

• Use present tense verbs• Use a variety of transitional phrases (do an internet search )

• For example, don’t start the paragraphs with First, Second, Last, etc.

• Don’t repeat yourself!!!• READ ALOUD – OFTEN!!! (you will catch errors)• Grammar AND Formatting (MLA) are important! Please

check this! (use MLA guide or Owl @Purdue)• DO follow DIRECTIONS given IN-CLASS! Format and

structure deviations will result in point deductions!!! It MUST be TYPED BEFORE CLASS on due date!!!