Literary Analysis Planning guide

Step 1 Rough Plan

Thesis
The ending of A Tale of Two Cities concludes the novel very well, with Carton finally redeeming his
otherwise wasted life.

Claim #1 (i.e. Point Supporting

Thesis)

Claim #2

Claim #3

With most of the conflicts passed, Cartons sacrifice was a great Carton sacrificed his own life to
the ending wraps up the final thing to do, finally making give Darnay back his and though
conflict well.
something of his life.
not
entirely,
he
definitely
redeemed himself partially.

Evidence #1

Evidence #2

Evidence #1

Evidence #2

Evidence #1

After saving
Darnay from
his execution
and replacing
him, Carton
says his final,
memorable
words of It is a
far, far better
thing that I do,
than I have ever
done; it is a far,
far better rest
that I go to than
I have ever
known.

Satisfied with
his final
decision, he
says "I see the
lives for which
I lay down my
life, peaceful,
useful,
prosperous and
happy, in that
England which
I shall see no
more.

While
drunk
and talking to
Darnay, Carton
states "I care
for no man on
earth, and no
man on earth
cares for me.
clearly saying
he
is
not
impactful
in
most peoples
lives.

The statement
"It is a far, far
better thing that
I do, than I
have ever done;
is said
because Carton
used his life for
the good of
Lucie and her
family, so he is
satisfied with
himself.

Carton
says
before
his
death, I see her
and
her
husband, their
course
done,
lying side by
side in their last
earthly bed, and
I know that
each was not
more honoured
and held sacred
in the other's
soul, than I was
in the souls of
both. He made
the lives two
happy
by
sacrificing his
own.

** Remember, theres nothing magical about three body paragraphs. You may have more.

Evidence #2

Step 2 Detailed Plan for Body of Essay

Body Paragraph #1:
Topic sentence for claim #1 in support of thesis

Support #1(This is a quote or paraphrase) CITE THE ACT, SCENE, and LINE NUMBERS.

Explain how support #1 relates to claim #1

Support #2(This is a quote or paraphrase) CITE THE ACT, SCENE, and LINE NUMBERS.

Explain how support #2 relates to claim#1

If you havent already, explain how claim #1 relates to thesis and transition to next claim #2

Body Paragraph #2
Topic sentence for claim #2 in support of thesis

Support #1(This is a quote or paraphrase) CITE THE ACT, SCENE, and LINE NUMBERS.

 Explain how support #1 relates to claim #2

Support #2(This is a quote or paraphrase) CITE THE ACT, SCENE, and LINE NUMBERS.

Explain how support #2 relates to claim#2

If you havent already, explain how claim #2 relates to thesis and transition to next claim #3

Body Paragraph #3
Topic sentence for claim #3 in support of thesis

Support #1(This is a quote or paraphrase) CITE THE ACT, SCENE, and LINE NUMBERS.

Explain how support #1 relates to claim #3

Support #2(This is a quote or paraphrase) CITE THE ACT, SCENE, and LINE NUMBERS.

 Explain how support #2 relates to claim#3

If you havent already, explain how claim #3 relates to thesis and transition to conclusion