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186 Unit 2 ■ Analyzing Comparisons and Representations Composition Workshop ■ Writing about Tone 187 UNIT 2

Organize a Line of Reasoning TRM Handout: Structure of an Analysis of Tone
We have probably all heard the frustrating words “because I said so!” at one time or STRUCTURE OF AN ANALYSIS OF TONE COMPOSITION WORKSHOP
another — especially when we want to know why a decision was made or a request Introduction
was denied. These empty words never satisfy our desire to understand the reason for The introduction is an opportunity for the writer to establish the purpose of his or her literary argument
the decision. Likewise, when you write a literary argument, simply making a claim and to invite and interest the audience into the literary work and the writer’s interpretation of it. To
and perhaps previewing your reasons is not enough. To justify your argument, you achieve this goal, many literary arguments follow this structure:
must reveal why you believe as you do, as well as the progression of thought that led • Engage the audience through an interesting hook
to your position. Therefore, when you analyze a work of literature, you must justify • Provide historical, cultural, or social context of a literary work
your thesis with this logical progression of reasons, called the line of reasoning. • Identify the title, author, genre (TAG)
Copyright (c) 2023 Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. Uncorrected proofs were used with this sample chapter.
Now that you have practiced writing thesis statements, you will develop • Introduce the literary topic of analysis by
your line of reasoning in the body of your argument. You present your line of • describing the particular aspect of tone; and
reasoning in the topic sentences that begin each body paragraph; you develop • summarizing the work succinctly with details critical to that aspect of tone
each reason within the paragraphs through commentary. So when you write your
Distributed by Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. Strictly for use with its products. Not for redistribution.
topic sentences, make sure that they both provide a purpose for your evidence and The thesis statement presents a defensible interpretation that includes an idea and an insight about
connect to your thesis in the first paragraph. In other words, your topic sentences that idea.
should do the following: Body
(Develops a line of reasoning with supporting evidence that justifies the thesis)
• Connect to the unifying idea in your thesis statement Topic Sentence 1 Topic Sentence 2 Topic Sentence 3
• Present reasons to support your interpretation (Identify the literary element (Identify the literary element (Identify the literary element
• Establish a purpose for the evidence and commentary in the paragraph related to the unifying idea) related to the unifying idea) related to the unifying idea)
• Reveal the reasons in a logical order Textual Details Textual Details Textual Details
(Evidence of elements and (Evidence of elements and (Evidence of elements and
The order of your line of reasoning matters. Indeed, the progression of techniques and their function) techniques and their function) techniques and their function)
thought that develops your thesis should move logically from one idea to another. Commentary Commentary Commentary
Therefore, you must present your insights in a thoughtful sequence that is informed (Link evidence by explaining (Link evidence by explaining (Link evidence by explaining
by the text, such as beginning to end, concrete to abstract, Tone A to Tone B. its relevance to the line of its relevance to the line of its relevance to the line of
Techniques represent the author’s literary “moves,” while elements are the spe- reasoning and claim) reasoning and claim) reasoning and claim)
cific tools the author uses to create the technique. You should use the techniques to Conclusion
guide your line of reasoning and the elements to support that line of reasoning. A line The conclusion should do more than restate the thesis; instead, it should be a robust and important
of reasoning may be organized by techniques. An author’s techniques (e.g., imagery, paragraph. It is the opportunity for the writer to demonstrate understanding of the literary work’s
contrast, comparison) are made up of elements. Techniques are larger than elements. relevance by explaining how it stands the test of time and reflects the human experience. Writers
further their idea and insight by:
• Discussing the significance or relevance of interpretation
SOME TECHNIQUES AND ELEMENTS • Relating the work to other relevant literary works
Techniques Elements • Connecting the theme to their own experience
Imagery connotation, allusion, personification, simile, motif • Presenting alternate interpretations
Contrast irony, juxtaposition, paradox, antithesis, imagery • Explaining how the work explores complexities and tensions
Comparison simile, metaphor, conceit, image, allusion, symbol • Situating the theme within a broader context
Narration point of view, perspective, speaker, tone This table illustrates the general structure of a literary argument. It does not intend to imply that all literary
Pacing sentence structure, flashback, foreshadowing, suspense, pause, variety arguments are five paragraphs. Writers should determine the number of reasons needed to justify their claim,
as well as how much evidence is sufficient to support each of these reasons.
Emphasis subordination, coordination, cumulative sentence, periodic sentence, rhetorical
question, exaggeration, repetition, simple sentence, fragment
Balance coordination, parallelism, coordinating conjunction, repetition

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Composition Workshop Writing about Tone 187

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