Literary Analysis Research Paper Formatting
A literary analysis research paper analyzes and interprets creative works of literature. Students are often assigned to write literary analysis papers in high school and college-level English courses. These papers require the student to think deeply about how elements like characterization, theme, style, and plot work together to create meaning in a story, poem, or play. In addition to analyzing the literary techniques and themes, your paper should also have a clear argument to prove. Your research and writing must adhere to proper formatting guidelines for your paper to be successful. This article provides an overview of key formatting elements for literary analysis papers, including formatting the title page, body paragraphs, block quotes, and works cited page.
Title Page
The title page should contain your paper title, your name, your professor’s name, the course name and number, and the date of submission – all centered at the top of the page. The title you choose should be concise yet indicative of the main topic or argument of your analysis. For example, a good title for a paper analyzing how Pride prejudices characters in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice might be “How Prejudice Threatens Relationships in Austen’s Pride and Prejudice”. Keep titles relatively short, under 12 words if possible.
Use proper font formatting on your title page. Times New Roman, size 12 point font is standard for papers. Leave 1-inch margins on all sides of the page. Page numbers are not included on title pages. The title page is page 1, but the number is not printed. Subsequent pages will be numbered starting with page 2 in the top right header.
Body Paragraph Formatting
Begin each new paragraph on a new line and indent the first line of each paragraph 0.5 inches using your tab key. Leave one space after punctuation at the end of each sentence. Double space between all lines of text.
Each body paragraph analyzing part of the text should contain:
A topic sentence clearly introducing the point or argument of the paragraph
Analysis supported with specific examples and quotes from the text
Explanation of how the quote supports your analysis
Commentary relating the analysis back to your overall thesis
Block Quotes
For direct quotes longer than 4 lines from your text, use a block quote format. Indent the entire quote 1/2 inch from the left margin and do not use quotation marks. Maintain double spacing. Introduce the quote with a signal phrase. For example:
As Austen vividly illustrates pride’s devastating effects, she writes:
It was a very inconvenient and very painful position. After awhile, Darcy’s eyes were attracted by Elizabeth, and he had the pleasure of seeing her blush and tremble as she passed by. He paid her hardly any attention beyond what politeness required. (Austen 67)
This passage demonstrates Darcy’s prideful prejudice against Elizabeth as he refuses to engage with her beyond mere politeness despite being obviously attracted to her.
Works Cited Page
Begin the works cited page on a new page at the end of the document. The heading “Works Cited” should be centered at the top of the page without any formatting (bolding, underlining, etc.). List entries alphabetically by author’s last name or title if no author is given. Use a Hanging indent format where the first line of each entry is flush left and subsequent lines are indented 0.5 inches.
Double space the entire works cited list. Use proper MLA 8th edition formatting for the type of source cited. For example, a book entry would include: Author’s Last name, First name. Title of Book. Publisher, Publication Date. For example:
Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. Penguin Classics, 2002.
While this covers the key elements of literary analysis paper formatting, your specific instructor may have additional guidelines for font, margins, title page content, or works cited style that need to be followed as well. Pay attention to assignment instructions and rubrics for any professor specified requirements. Proper following of formatting standards is important to demonstrate your ability to write an organized, polished academic paper. Adhering to MLA or Chicago style guidelines consistently will result in a higher-quality finished product.