Library: ENG 231: Write about Literature

Tips for writing about literature

Write about events in novels and stories in the present tense.
- Huck sets out on a raft.
Introduce the text's title and author early in your paper. Once you've done that, refer to the author by the surname only (unless a first name is needed to avoid confusion).
- When Alcott's novel opens, the titular "little women" are introduced to the reader as they discuss the hardships of a wartime Christmas.
Keep plot summary to a minimum. Summarize only what you need to make your points.
- In her account of Dr. Flint's attempted seduction, Jacobs explicitly appeals to the interests of "slaveholders' wives."
Reread what you've written. Ask yourself: does each sentence serve a distinct purpose and advance the thesis? If not, revise. Don't repeat yourself to fill up pages.

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Using literary & critical source texts

Quote exact words or phrases:

…to draw attention to the specific language used
- For instance, if you were discussing an author's use of the color black, you'd quote exact passages or phrases describing a "black-eyed monster," "inky skies," "a cloak the color of pitch," etc.
…when doing so will strengthen the point you're trying to make.
- For example, if a critical essay you found clearly supports your interpretation, it might be more convincing to quote the pertinent passages directly than to summarize.

Paraphrase a passage in your own words:

…when you want to clarify how the passage relates to your thesis
- If a critical source makes a point about, for example, how a specific character changes over the course of a book, a quotation might seem out of place if you don't connect it to your broader argument about charactization in the same book. Paraphrasing allows you to integrate someone else's good ideas with your own and build a more compelling case. It also lets you draw attention to especially relevant parts of a passage.

Summarize:

…to recount key plot points
- To make sure your reader is following your argument, it's sometimes necessary to recap events from a novel or story. Be as brief as you can without sacrificing clarity.
…when relying on the authority of a critical source
- You may find a critical essay whose every paragraph backs up your argument. Rather than paraphrasing many times over, try to encapsulate the points being made. If your reader wants more detail, s/he can consult the original source.

Cite your sources

Whenever you refer to an outside source – whether quoting, paraphrasing, or summarizing – you must acknowledge the original source. Even if you're not quoting words directly, using others' ideas without citing them is considered plagiarism. Feel free to consult a librarian if you need help citing properly.

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Write about Literature