How to write literature essays

Literature essays are well formulated arguments that illustrate a clear thesis in response to a work of literature. To be effective, the thesis must directly relate to the question set, whether the question for literature essays is specific or more generic in style. The thesis refers to the main opinion or case formed in response to the text and the question specified.

The thesis presented in literature essays will be accepted by an array of readers, if the argument to support it is well planned, well structured, well illustrated and well explained, within the body of literature essays.

In order to plan literature essays, the writer must actively read the text and ‘interrogate it’, by asking questions of the text and making detailed annotations during the reading and reflecting phase of learning.

Of equal importance, writers of literature essays must ‘interrogate’ the literature essay’s question, identifying keys terms within the question, brainstorming with written comments and questions in response to the literature essay’s question, in order to absorb the question’s depth and breadth, so that planning remains both focused and thorough.

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The structure of literature essays

The structure of literature essays must contain an introduction in an opening paragraph, which articulates the thesis in relation to the specified question and the set work of literature, be it prose fiction, poetry or drama. Following the introduction, a linked sequence of paragraphs provides the body of literature essays, with each paragraph containing 5-8 sentences, which in turn state the main point, explain it, illustrate it from the text by direct citation or paraphrasing, then conclude with a summative sentence which links directly to the question.

Each paragraph may be viewed structurally as an essay in itself, providing a tight, economic and intellectually convincing justification of the thesis overall. The conclusion is contained within a final paragraph, synthesising the main points introduced at the beginning of each paragraph within the body, concluding in a manner such that the reader is left with a strong impression of the topic, text and thesis. This may be done through use of a final direct citation from the text or a reputable commentator of the text.

The choice of language for writing literature essays

The choice of language should be formal in style and dispassionate in tone, so that the potential reader is enlightened and persuaded on the basis of clearly reasoned argument. Citations from the text should be naturally embedded and suitably contextualised.