INTRODUCTION: the first paragraph in your essay. It begins creatively in order to catch your reader’s interest, provides essential background about the literary work, and prepares the reader for your major thesis. The introduction must include the author and title of the work as well as an explanation of the theme to be discussed.
THESIS: a statement that provides the subject and overall opinion of your essay. For a literary analysis your major thesis must
(1) relate to the theme of the work and
(2) suggest how this theme is revealed by the author. A good thesis may also suggest the organization of the paper.
BODY: the support paragraphs of your essay. These paragraphs contain supporting Example: (concrete detail) and analysis/explanation (commentary) for your topic sentences. Each paragraph in the body includes (1) a topic sentence,
(2) textual evidence (a.k.a. quotes from your reading) and commentary (a.k.a. explanation), and
(3) a concluding sentence. In its simplest form.
CONCLUSION: last paragraph in your essay. This paragraph should begin by echoing your major thesis without repeating the words exactly. Then, the conclusion should broaden from the thesis statements to answer the “so what?” question your reader may have after reading your essay.