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TUCSON UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
PLANNING AND ASSESSMENT DEPARTMENT
WRITING PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVE # 3: Applying knowledge of and analyzing an author’s use of literary elements such as character, setting, theme, plot, figurative language and point of view.
DIRECTIONS: Respond to each of the ten prompts with the most correct answer about writing a literary analysis.
1) The thesis in a literary analysis should
a) State the outcome of the plot.
b) State a position about the author’s use of literary elements.
c) Be written in complicated language.
d) Always name the title of the literature being analyzed.
2) To analyze the plot of a piece of literature, a literary analysis should
a) Summarize in detail.
b) Explain how the plot really has nothing to do with the story.
c) Illustrate how elements of the plot support its thesis .
d) Demonstrate the incomprehensibility of the plot.
3) The setting of a story includes
a) The mood.
b) The place.
c) The time.
d) All of the above.
4) The theme of a story can be
a) Excluded from a literary analysis.
b) Independent of the characters, setting, and plot.
c) An idea which can be applied to the reader’s own experiences.
d) None of the above.
5) Literary elements include
a) Plot.
b) Character.
c) Setting.
d) All of the above.
6) The first paragraph of a literary analysis should
a) Explain the complete plot of the story.
b) Offer a clear position about the author’s use of literary elements.
c) Leave the reader guessing as to the title and author of the work being
analyzed.
d) Antagonize the reader.
7) The middle paragraphs of a literary analysis should
a) Support the thesis statement with concise examples from the piece of
literature.
b) Explain the complete plot of the story.
c) Each deal with some different literary element the author uses.
d) Offer a short biography of the author.
8) The concluding paragraph of a literary analysis should
a) Explain the plot of another piece of literature by the same author.
b) Offer a short biography of the author.
c) Offer concluding remarks and restate the thesis.
d) None of the above.
9) To prove the thesis of a literary analysis, the writer should
a) Offer relevant examples from the literary selection.
b) Explain the plot in detail.
c) Offer a short biography of the author.
d) Both a and b.
10) The purpose of a literary analysis
a) Is to summarize in detail the plot.
b) Is to characterize each of the main individuals in the story.
c) Is to analyze an author’s use of one or more literary elements.
d) Offer a short biography of the author.