Body Paragraphs: The Meat and Potatoes of Your Essay

The number one rule to remember is to stay away from plot summary. Instead of writing a book report, we want to write a literature analysis essay. 

One helpful way to accomplish this is to follow the TREAT model:

T- Topic sentence (Make sure this connects with your Thesis Statement)

R- Reasoning (This is basically the transition into your quote as you show the reasoning behind your claim in the topic sentence.  This can be some plot summary- but make it short, include only what is necessary.)

E- Evidence (direct quote)

A- Analysis (see steps A, B, and C below).

T- Tie it together 

All Literature Analysis essays follow the TREAT model in some form. The most important part of this model is the “Analysis” step- this is what you will be graded on most heavily in lit analysis essays. 

When analyzing direct quotes, you want to try and accomplish three steps:

A.    Consider what is said in the actual quote through its subtleties of the topics and ideas expressed. Basically, what is the author saying without directly saying it? (Ultimately, what is the point of including this quote? What is Shakespeare really trying to say or express? What are the larger ideas shown in this specific part of the text?) 

B.    Assess how the quote is said, considering how the word choice, the ordering or ideas, sentence structure, etc., contribute to the meaning of the passage. What specific words is that character using? (I’ve shown this to you many times when I point out examples of figurative language and imagery in the play).

C.    Connect this analysis of the passage back to the significance of the text as a whole. What were you originally trying to say in your thesis statement, and how does this point you are making with the quote help contribute to your original argument? 

Make sure to never tell the reader simply what is occurring in the quote- this is just plot summary.  

Feel free to change up the formula. Often, writers will include two quotes per paragraph (this is especially true when your prompt involves two different characters). If this is the case, repeat the middle three sections (Topic Sentence-> Reasoning->  Evidence ->     Analysis ->   Reasoning->  Evidence -> Analysis) before tying it back together.