Responding to literature

In the Book They Say I Say, Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein emphasize the importance of situating yourself within a conversation whenever you write a research paper. When you are writing about literature, particularly well-known literary works, you are entering a conversation that most likely has existed for many years and will continue to exist for many more years to come. It is your job to tell the reader how your interpretation of the text you are analyzing fits into this wider conversation and why it is important. Below are some scripts and suggestions to help you get started:

Start with what others are saying.

For example, Critic X complains that Author Y's story is compromised by his _______ perspective. While there's some truth to this critique, Critic X overlooks _______.

If you are not writing a research paper, the view could simply be something your teacher or classmate mentioned.

Several members of our class have suggested that the final message of the play X is _______. Although this is true up to a point, the play seems to be demonstrating _______, because of _____ and ______.

It could also respond to something that hasn't actually been said about the work, but might hypothetically be said.

Though religious readers might be tempted to analyze poem X as a parable about ________, a closer examination suggests that the poem is in fact ________.

Now that you have your topic and your sources, you can think about what kind of argument or analysis you want to make of the story/poem. Based on the information you have gathered so far, what conclusion can you draw about your text? Remember, this should be something that you can argue. You are essentially arguing that your interpretation or evaluation of the text is solid and insightful.

Constructing your argument begins by developing your topic into a thesis statement.

Your thesis statement is the foundation of your essay and must be strong in order to keep your essay from falling apart, much like a strong foundation in a house keeps the building from collapsing. The remainder of your essay is then built on this foundation

A thesis statement

• takes a perspective on your topic
• represents the main message or argument of your paper
• conveys an assertion or argument that your essay supports

The first thesis statement you write is considered a working thesis.

A working thesis

• functions as an initial guide to get you started
• often needs adjusting or strengthening as you research and write
• usually benefits from a second opinion from your instructor, other students, or a Writing Centre consultant.

Example: 

Say you are reading "The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin. While you were reading the story, you were shocked by the protagonist's lack of sorrow when she hears of her husband's death. You start thinking about what the story is saying about the institution of marriage, you have done some initial brainstorming, and you come up with a working thesis statement like this:

•  A close look at "The Story of an Hour" reveals how the institution of marriage is one way society attempts to control the natural desires and aspirations of women.

Once you have solidified the points you are going to focus on in your essay, you may refine your thesis to become something like this:

• An examination of language and expected demeanor in "The Story of an Hour" reveals how the institution of marriage is one way society attempts to control the natural desires and aspirations of women.

  • Note: The second thesis statement outlines what main points you will discuss in your essay and what kind of conclusion those points will lead you to. Sometimes you have both of these elements in your thesis statement. Other times, you can have these as two separate sentences.

A strong thesis statement

• presents an insightful perspective on your topic
• attempts to convince your reader of one of several possible options 
• challenges your reader to think in a new way
• examines and refutes other perspectives on your topic
• does not state the obvious, which leaves nothing to prove and no opposing perspective
• avoids statements of taste or opinion

How to write a thesis statement (Indiana University)

Thesis statement (University of Illinois)

Adapted from the Research Essays LibGuide.