Write a 5-7 page Critical Literary Analysis of one of the two novels we have
discussed this semester: The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison or The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides.
This is a researched, argumentative essay that requires you to state a claim and defend your claim with
evidence and examples from the primary text and secondary, scholarly sources. You are required to use at
least four secondary, scholarly sources in addition to the primary text as support for your analysis. You should
use the sources you have already compiled for the Bibliography portion of your PowerPoint presentation and
begin your analysis with the abstract required for the same PowerPoint.
Just to clarify: this means you need, at minimum, 5 sources on your Works Cited page.
Your novel will be the primary source and your secondary sources will be used to support your analysis of the
text.
You may use sources that discuss more than one work by the same author. This is something you will
undoubtedly see a great deal in the academic community and you should feel free to use these sources to
build your own analysis. Remember, though, your primary focus should be on the novel that you have read.
In addition to these basic guidelines I have outlined above, I would like you to consider carefully the guidelines
and instructions outlined in the resources I have posted. Use these guidelines and tips to help you with your
writing of this essay.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions. I am happy to help you.
Other tips: Essays should be written in MLA format and should include a separate Works Cited Page.
Abstracts should precede the opening paragraph of the essay. Look at the examples I have posted this
semester to get an idea of what your essay should look like. Most of the examples I have shared do include an
abstract.
Check out this source if you have questions on how to get started. This is really excellent advice!
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-britlit1/chapter/literary-criticism/
Welcome to Legit Writing
