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Write a Literary Analysis Essay
During the next several lessons you will be writing a literary analysis essay about the novel Cry, The Beloved
Country by Alan Paton. To write your essay, you will respond to this prompt:
In Cry, the Beloved Country, Alan Paton depicts a South Africa that is plagued by a host of problems,
including poverty, racism, violence, ignorance, and fear. Select one of those problems and, in a 2-3 page
essay, analyze how Paton demonstrates that problem's negative impact on society in his novel. Cite
textual evidence that supports your ideas, including details that show how the problem influences the
thoughts, emotions, and actions of characters and how it shapes the events of the plot.
Your process in developing the essay will consist of several steps: break down the topic, plan the essay, draft the
essay, revise the essay, and proofread and publish the essay. Your essay should be approximately 500-750
words long.
The final essay will be scored by your teacher using the Write a Literary Analysis Essay Grading Rubric. Look at
the rubric yourself so that you know how your writing will be scored.
You will begin your assignment today. Follow the steps of the writing process to complete the assignment. You
will turn in your work as a Teacher-Graded Assignment.
Choosing a Topic
Choose a topic from the ones listed in the table in the Literary Analysis Essay Notebook document. To begin
analyzing the topic, fill in the information in the table as instructed on the notebook.
Check your work using the online review checklist.
Planning
Write a thesis statement for your literary analysis essay. Find evidence in Paton's novel to support your thesis.
Map out a plan for the parts of the essay (introduction. body. and conclusion).
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Focus