Literary analysis is more than understanding a text, acing an assignment, or passing an exam. It empowers you with critical skills that help you make sense of the world around you. Was that politician trying to trick your mind into believing something? What was that movie you saw the other day really about? English courses are designed to help you read between the lines and understand how meaning is produced, and that’s one skill you really want in life.

Here are a few worksheets and writing guides that may help you hone that crucial skill. Some are taken from the Writing Center, where you can schedule free one-on-one appointments (both online and in person) and find more of these guides. Please make use of these resources! There will never be a time like college where so much help is made readily available to you.

Brainstorming: Working out what you are trying to say

Further links :

Figures of speech:
A comprehensive list: a page on figures of speech
A fun quiz to test yourself: https://quizizz.com/admin/quiz/5bec400430a1bd001a7e30ec/figures-of-speech?type=quiz&searchIn=all_quizzes&subject=All&grade=13&sortKey=_score&queryId=63ff85f9d45f25001db46059-1677691694002&searchLocale&fromSearch=true

Active listening tips: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/15/learning/lesson-plans/active-listening-using-times-videos-podcasts-and-articles-to-practice-a-key-skill.html

Storytelling techniques: https://static01.nyt.com/files/2018/learning/ElementsTechniquesEffectiveStorytellingLN.pdf

Conference Presenting

General tips for converting research into a conference presentation: https://ugradresearch.uconn.edu/2022/09/29/presenting-your-research-at-a-conference/

Short video for presenting in the very peculiar genre of online conferences:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YaQRV2NRuw&ab_channel=IAFORMedia

Body Language for Presentations (some of this can help even on Zoom!):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmbQFWBvTtY

Engaging your audience:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX3iEftqVxI&ab_channel=EvanCarmichael

Tips on Clear Speech for Public Speaking:
https://www.hamilton.edu/academics/centers/oralcommunication/guides/spoken-language-vs-written-language
And other guides under ‘Oral and Powerpoint Presentations’ on the Writing Center’s website:

Tips on Reducing Anxiety about Public Speaking:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83wYDzO3CzI&ab_channel=CommunicationCoachAlexanderLyon

Finally…

Remember: No method is better than another one; there are as many methods as there are minds. Different methods suit different genres of texts to analyze, and different contexts in which to present your arguments, but you can get creative and apply whatever method speaks to you to the text in front of you.

If you have questions about using any of these methods, please let me know! I am happy to help you practice with them.