12th Grade English – Master Notes
1. Literary Analysis Essentials
How to Analyze a Text
● Theme – the central idea the author reveals about life or society.
How to find it: look for repeated ideas, conflicts, or character lessons.
● Tone – the author’s attitude (serious, sarcastic, hopeful, bitter).
Clue: word choice and imagery.
● Mood – the feeling a text creates for the reader.
● Diction – the author’s word choice.
Ask: what type of words? Formal? Harsh? Soft? Emotional?
● Imagery – descriptive language appealing to the senses.
● Symbolism – when something represents more than itself (a rose = love).
● Motifs – repeated symbols, images, or ideas that develop a theme.
● Characterization
○ Direct: the narrator tells you what someone is like.
○ Indirect: revealed through actions, speech, thoughts, or reactions.
2. Types of Essays
A. Literary Analysis Essay
● Make an argument about the text (not a summary).
, ● Use embedded quotations with explanations.
● Every paragraph should relate back to the thesis.
B. Argumentative Essay
● Defend a claim with evidence.
● Counterargument + rebuttal required.
● Avoid first person unless allowed.
C. Research Essay
● Use credible sources.
● Paraphrase > quote when possible.
● Proper MLA citations.
3. Writing Skills & Structure
Thesis Statements
● Should:
✔ answer the prompt
✔ make a claim
✔ include the reasoning or categories you’ll argue
Formula:
[Topic] + [Your claim about it] + because/reason(s].
Paragraph Structure (TIE or PIE)
● Topic sentence
● Information/evidence
1. Literary Analysis Essentials
How to Analyze a Text
● Theme – the central idea the author reveals about life or society.
How to find it: look for repeated ideas, conflicts, or character lessons.
● Tone – the author’s attitude (serious, sarcastic, hopeful, bitter).
Clue: word choice and imagery.
● Mood – the feeling a text creates for the reader.
● Diction – the author’s word choice.
Ask: what type of words? Formal? Harsh? Soft? Emotional?
● Imagery – descriptive language appealing to the senses.
● Symbolism – when something represents more than itself (a rose = love).
● Motifs – repeated symbols, images, or ideas that develop a theme.
● Characterization
○ Direct: the narrator tells you what someone is like.
○ Indirect: revealed through actions, speech, thoughts, or reactions.
2. Types of Essays
A. Literary Analysis Essay
● Make an argument about the text (not a summary).
, ● Use embedded quotations with explanations.
● Every paragraph should relate back to the thesis.
B. Argumentative Essay
● Defend a claim with evidence.
● Counterargument + rebuttal required.
● Avoid first person unless allowed.
C. Research Essay
● Use credible sources.
● Paraphrase > quote when possible.
● Proper MLA citations.
3. Writing Skills & Structure
Thesis Statements
● Should:
✔ answer the prompt
✔ make a claim
✔ include the reasoning or categories you’ll argue
Formula:
[Topic] + [Your claim about it] + because/reason(s].
Paragraph Structure (TIE or PIE)
● Topic sentence
● Information/evidence
