When writing essays about literature, there are some great strategies to help make your work better. Here’s what helped me during my senior year:

1. Close Reading:

• Pick certain passages to focus on. Read them several times and take notes as you go along. Look for things like figurative language, tone, and other writing techniques the author uses.
• Notice the words the author chooses. Why did they pick that word? What does it mean?

2. Finding Themes and Motifs:

• While you read, look for ideas or themes that keep coming up. This can help you build your argument and give you stronger proof for your essay.
• Make a list of these themes and write down quotes or examples that support them.

3. Understanding the Context:

• Think about the time period, culture, or background of the author. This can add more depth to your analysis and help you see the bigger picture.
• How do these backgrounds affect the characters, the story, and the themes?

4. Writing a Thesis:

• Your thesis should clearly show what you want to argue. Make it specific and something people might disagree with. Everything in your essay should help support this point.

5. Using Evidence:

• Always back up your points with evidence from the text. Use direct quotes and then explain what they mean. Show how they support your thesis.
• Mix up your evidence—don’t rely on just one or two quotes.

6. Revision:

• Don’t forget how important revision is. Go back and read your essay again. Look for ways to make your writing clearer and stronger. Sometimes, just changing a few words or adding a sentence can really improve your argument.

Good luck with your essays!