Literary Analysis using Argument Strategies

Two rhetorical strategies that are relevant to making an argument (whether in a speech debate or in a argument essay or in a tete a tete with your parents or your friends or complete strangers...) are also really great when doing literary analysis.

In a literary analysis, you can frame these strategies as how to discuss characters:

• Point Out Common Ground: if there is something within the larger argument that characters agree with, it is effective to make explain views they all share (and cite those views to support the claim).  

• Start with the largest thematic connection. What do the characters agree on, idea wise? What does that tell you about what they value as a whole, then?

• Acknowledge Differing Viewpoints:  use a change in direction transitional word/phrase (however, while, although, in contrast, …) to identify where characters don't agree.

• In your claims (topic sentences and reasoning sentences), start off with the larger thematic view--not the specific passage.

• For instance, if two characters are arguing over religion. Start of your analysis by laying out their contrasting views of religion, and then support with textual evidence.