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How to Analyze Literature in High School
A Step-by-Step Guide for Grades 9–10
Literary analysis is one of the most important skills you learn in high school English, also known as ELA (English Language Arts). Almost every reading assignment, test, or essay asks you to analyze a text in some way.
Many students understand what happens in a story but still lose marks because they are not sure how to analyze literature, or what teachers actually mean by “analysis.”
This guide explains literary analysis in a clear, step-by-step way for Grades 9–10. You will learn what analysis is, what teachers look for, and how to write strong, thoughtful responses about texts.
What Does It Mean to Analyze Literature?
To analyze literature means to explain how and why a text creates meaning, not just what happens in the story. Analysis focuses on the author’s choices—such as character development, symbolism, language, and structure—and how those choices communicate ideas, themes, or messages to the reader.
This is different from summarizing. A summary simply retells the plot or key events. Analysis goes further by explaining why those events matter and how the author presents them. When teachers ask you to analyze a story, poem, or novel, they want to see your understanding of the text, your thinking about its ideas, and your ability to support those ideas with evidence from the text.
For example, in Of Mice and Men, a summary might explain that George and Lennie travel together looking for work during the Great Depression. An analysis, however, would explore why Steinbeck portrays their friendship as both supportive and tragic. By examining Lennie’s dependence on George and the recurring dream of owning land, an analytical response can show how Steinbeck highlights the loneliness of migrant workers and the fragility of the American Dream. The events matter not just because they happen, but because they reveal deeper social and emotional realities.
Similarly, in To Kill a Mockingbird, summarizing would involve recounting the trial of Tom Robinson. An analytical paragraph would instead focus on how Harper Lee uses that trial to examine racism and moral courage. By analyzing Atticus Finch’s calm, logical language in court and contrasting it with the prejudice of the jury, students can explain how the author criticizes injustice and encourages readers to value empathy and integrity.
In short, literary analysis shows that you are not just reading the text, but thinking about it—asking why the author made certain choices and explaining how those choices help convey meaning.
When teachers ask you to analyze a story, poem, or novel, they want to see:
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Your understanding of the text
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Your thinking about its ideas
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Your ability to support ideas with evidence
Why Literary Analysis Matters in High School
Literary analysis is important because it helps you:
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Read more carefully
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Think critically
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Support ideas with evidence
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Write clearer essays
These skills are tested in:
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Reading quizzes
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Essays
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Timed writing assignments
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State ELA assessments
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Class discussions
Once you understand how analysis works, English assignments become much easier.
What Teachers Look For in Literary Analysis
Although assignments vary, most teachers look for the same key skills when grading literary analysis. At the core of any strong response is thinking: teachers want to see that you understand the text and can explain your ideas clearly and logically.
Teachers want to see a clear idea or claim—sometimes called a thesis or topic sentence—that answers the question being asked. This idea should be specific and focused, not vague or overly broad. They also expect evidence from the text, such as well-chosen quotes or specific examples, to support your claim. However, evidence alone is not enough. You must explain how the evidence supports your idea, showing that you understand both the quote and its significance.
Strong literary analysis also demonstrates logical thinking, meaning your ideas are organized, connected, and easy to follow. Each paragraph should build on the last, and every sentence should contribute to your overall argument. Finally, teachers value clear writing—sentences that are well-structured, precise, and free from unnecessary repetition or confusion.
On the other hand, teachers do not want plot summaries that simply retell the story without analysis. They also avoid giving high marks to responses that include long quotes with no explanation, since this suggests a lack of understanding. Personal opinions without evidence—such as “I think” statements that are not supported by the text—also weaken analysis. In literary analysis, your ideas must always be grounded in the text itself.
Teachers Want to See:
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A clear idea or claim
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Evidence from the text (quotes or examples)
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Explanation of how the evidence supports the idea
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Logical thinking
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Clear writing
Teachers do not want:
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Plot summaries
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Long quotes with no explanation
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Personal opinions with no evidence
The Difference Between Summary and Analysis
Understanding the difference between summary and analysis is essential for success in ELA English classes. Many students lose marks not because they misunderstand the text, but because they summarize when they are expected to analyze.
A summary explains what happens in a text. It focuses on events and actions, often in the order they occur, but it does not explain their significance.
Example of Summary:
The character leaves home because he is unhappy with his family.
An analysis, on the other hand, explains why something happens and why it matters. It connects actions to character development, themes, or the author’s message.
Example of Analysis:
The character leaves home because he feels misunderstood, which shows his desire for independence and helps develop the theme of identity.
The second example goes beyond the action itself. It explains what the action reveals about the character and how it contributes to a larger idea in the text.
This difference becomes clearer when we look at real literary examples.
In Of Mice and Men, a summary might state that Lennie accidentally kills Curley’s wife and is later shot by George. While accurate, this only explains what happens. An analytical response would explain why Steinbeck structures the novel this way. Lennie’s death is not just a tragic event; it highlights the inevitability of failure for vulnerable individuals in a harsh society. George’s decision to kill Lennie himself shows the complexity of friendship and mercy, reinforcing the novel’s themes of loneliness and broken dreams during the Great Depression.
Similarly, in To Kill a Mockingbird, a summary might explain that Tom Robinson is found guilty despite evidence proving his innocence. An analysis would explore how this outcome reveals the deep-rooted racism of Maycomb. Harper Lee uses the trial to show how prejudice overrides logic and justice, and how Atticus Finch’s moral integrity contrasts with the town’s collective failure. The event matters because it develops the novel’s central message about empathy, injustice, and moral courage.
In literary analysis, teachers are looking for this deeper level of thinking. Summary shows that you know what happened. Analysis shows that you understand why it matters and how the author uses it to create meaning.
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The Core Skills of Literary Analysis
Most high school literary analysis focuses on a few core skills. Once you understand these, you can analyze almost any text.
1. Understanding Theme
What Is a Theme?
A theme is the main idea or message of a text. It is what the story says about a topic such as:
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Friendship
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Power
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Identity
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Freedom
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Growing up
A theme is not one word. It is a statement.
Weak Theme:
Friendship
Strong Theme:
True friendship requires loyalty and sacrifice.
How to Identify Theme
To find the theme, ask:
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What does the text suggest about this topic?
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What lesson does the character learn?
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How does the story end, and what does that ending suggest?
Themes are usually revealed through:
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Character choices
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Conflicts
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Outcomes
2. Analyzing Characters
Character analysis is a major part of literary analysis in high school.
What Teachers Expect
Teachers want you to:
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Describe important character traits
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Explain how a character changes (or stays the same)
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Connect the character to the theme
Static vs Dynamic Characters
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Static characters do not change much.
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Dynamic characters change because of events in the story.
Explaining why a character changes shows strong analysis.
Example of Character Analysis
Instead of writing:
The character is brave.
Explain:
The character shows bravery when she stands up to authority, even though she knows she may be punished. This shows her commitment to justice and supports the theme of courage.
3. Using Quotes as Evidence
Quotes are essential in literary analysis, but they must be used correctly.
Common Mistake
Many students drop quotes into their writing without explanation.
This lowers grades.
How to Use Quotes Correctly
A strong quote should be:
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Introduced
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Quoted
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Explained
Example:
The author shows the character’s fear when he admits that he feels “trapped by expectations.” This suggests that social pressure is limiting his freedom and contributes to the theme of identity.
The explanation is more important than the quote itself.
4. Explaining Symbolism and Imagery
What Is Symbolism?
Symbolism occurs when an object, action, or image represents a larger idea.
For example:
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A journey may symbolize growth
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Darkness may symbolize fear
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Light may symbolize hope
How to Analyze Symbolism
When analyzing symbolism:
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Identify the symbol
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Explain what it represents
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Connect it to the theme or character
Avoid over-analyzing. Your explanation must make sense based on the text.
5. Understanding the Author’s Purpose
Author’s purpose explains why the author wrote the text.
Common purposes include:
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To entertain
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To inform
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To persuade
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To express an idea
In fiction, author’s purpose is often connected to theme.
In nonfiction, it is often connected to argument.
How to Structure a Literary Analysis Paragraph
Most teachers expect paragraphs to follow a logical structure.
A common and effective structure is:
Claim → Evidence → Explanation
Claim
The claim is the main idea of the paragraph.
Example:
The author presents the character as isolated.
Evidence
The evidence supports the claim.
Example:
This is shown when the character admits that he has “no one to turn to.”
Explanation
The explanation connects the evidence to the claim and theme.
Example:
This shows that the character’s isolation is emotional as well as physical, reinforcing the theme of loneliness.
Common Mistakes in Literary Analysis
Avoiding these mistakes can significantly improve your grade.
1. Summarizing Instead of Analyzing
Retelling the plot does not show thinking.
2. Overusing Quotes
Too many quotes can weaken your writing.
3. Not Explaining Evidence
Quotes must always be explained.
4. Being Too Vague
Statements like “this shows a lot” are unclear.
5. Ignoring the Question
Always answer the question directly.
How to Analyze Different Types of Texts
Short Stories
Focus on:
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Theme
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Character
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Conflict
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Symbolism
Short stories require concise analysis.
Novels
Focus on:
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Character development
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Major themes
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Key scenes
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Patterns across the text
Poetry
Focus on:
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Word choice
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Imagery
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Tone
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Symbolism
Poetry analysis should be precise and supported by evidence.
Nonfiction
Focus on:
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Author’s purpose
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Argument
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Evidence
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Tone
Nonfiction analysis is often similar to argument writing.
How to Practice Literary Analysis
Improvement comes from practice.
Effective Practice Strategies
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Annotate texts while reading
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Ask “why” after every point
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Practice short paragraph responses
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Review teacher feedback carefully
How Literary Analysis Helps Essay Writing
Strong literary analysis leads to:
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Better essays
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Clearer arguments
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Higher grades
When you understand analysis, essay writing becomes easier because you know what to explain and how to support it.
Final Tips for High School Students
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Focus on clarity, not complexity
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Explain your thinking fully
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Use evidence wisely
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Answer the question directly
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Remember: explanation earns marks
Final Thought
Learning how to analyze literature in high school is not about being naturally “good at English.” It is about learning how to think, explain, and support ideas.
Once you understand the skills behind literary analysis, you can apply them to any text you read — in class, on tests, and beyond.
Use this guide as a reference whenever you are unsure how to analyze a text, and build your skills step by step.