Frankenstein

Use Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. This assignment asks you to examine, interpret, and explain a piece of literature from our course readings. Your goal is not to summarize the plot. Instead, you will think critically about how and why the author wrote the work and present an argument about its meaning, purpose, or effect on the reader.

Assignment Requirements

1. Choose Your Text

Select a text that meets all of the following requirements:

The text must be more than 20 words in length.

The text must not be a poem.

The text should provide enough depth to support a sustained literary analysis.

Choose a work that allows you to examine literary elements, develop a clear thesis, and support your ideas with evidence from the text.

2. Thesis Statement

Develop a clear and arguable thesis that answers a meaningful question about the text. Your thesis should explain one of the following:

How a literary element creates meaning

How a theme develops

How a character, historical moment, or social issue is revealed

Your thesis should appear in the introduction and guide the entire essay.

3. Textual Evidence

Use direct quotations and specific references from the text to support your ideas.

Each quote must be introduced, explained, and clearly connected to your thesis.

Avoid placing quotations into your writing without context or analysis.

4. Analysis

Explain how your evidence supports your thesis.

Focus on meaning, purpose, and effect rather than summarizing the text.

Your analysis should demonstrate thoughtful engagement and critical thinking.

5. Organization

Your essay should include:

An introduction with a clear thesis

Multiple body paragraphs, each focused on one main idea

A conclusion that explains why your analysis matters and what the reader should take away

Each paragraph should clearly connect back to your thesis.

6. Length

Your essay must be at least 1000 words.

The Works Cited page does not count toward the word total.

7. MLA Formatting

Use MLA format throughout your essay, including:

In-text citations using author and page number

A Works Cited page

12-point Times New Roman font

Double spacing

Possible Literary Elements or Devices to Analyze

You may focus on one or more of the following:

Literary elements:

Theme

Characterization

Setting

Tone

Point of view

Literary devices:

Symbolism

Irony

Imagery

Allusion

Motif

Narrator reliability

Foreshadowing

Diction

Syntax

Juxtaposition

Figurative language

What a Literary Analysis Is Not

This assignment is not:

A plot summary

A personal opinion piece, such as stating whether you liked or disliked the text

A biography of the author

A general research paper

Checklist Before You Submit

Before submitting your essay, review the following questions:

Do I have a clear and arguable thesis?

Did I use direct evidence from the text?

Did I explain how each piece of evidence supports my argument?

Is my analysis clearly organized and easy to follow?

Did I use MLA format correctly for citations and the Works Cited page?

Is my essay at least 1000 words, not including the Works Cited page?