Critical Literary Analysis Essay Outline

I. Catchy Title

II. Paragraph 1: Introduction (Use HATMAT)
A. Hook
B. Author
C. Title
D. Main characters
E. A short summary
F. Thesis

III. Paragraph 2: First Body Paragraph
A. Topic sentence (what this paragraph will discuss, how it will prove your thesis)
B. Context for the quote

1. Who says it?
2. What’s happening in the text when they say it?
   C. Quote from the text (cited appropriately)
   D. Analysis of the quote: How does it prove your thesis?
   E. Incorporate a relevant outside source that contributes to the point.
   F. Closing sentence (wrap up the paragraph to effectively transition to the next paragraph)

IV. Paragraph 3: Second Body Paragraph
A. Topic sentence (what this paragraph will discuss, how it will prove your thesis)
B. Context for the quote

1. Who says it?
2. What’s happening in the text when they say it?
   C. Quote from the text (cited appropriately)
   D. Analysis of the quote: How does it prove your thesis?
   E. Incorporate a relevant outside source that contributes to the point.
   F. Closing sentence (wrap up the paragraph to effectively transition to the next paragraph

V. Paragraph 4: Third Body Paragraph
A. Topic sentence (what this paragraph will discuss, how it will prove your thesis)
B. Context for the quote

1. Who says it?
2. What’s happening in the text when they say it?
   C. Quote from the text (cited appropriately)
   D. Analysis of the quote: How does it prove your thesis?
   E. Incorporate a relevant outside source that contributes to the point.
   F. Closing sentence (wrap up the paragraph to effectively transition to the next paragraph

VI. Conclusion (You do not necessarily have to follow this order, but include the following):
A. Summarize your argument.
B. Extend the argument.
C. Show why the text is important.