Read through the author's work and determine which of these topics or themes appears the most: plot, tone, setting, symbolism, imagery, character and allusion. Pick four of these tools to use in your literary analysis outline. Note that each of these tools will have its own section within your paper, and each requires three pieces of evidence to back it up.
Write your introduction paragraph explaining the work you've analyzed. Include information such as the author's name, the title of the work and a short explanation of the plot of the book.
Write the first body paragraph of your paper explaining the first tool the author uses in his or her own work. Give examples or evidence of this tool being used within the book by listing them under the paragraph. Remember to use proper citation when writing examples from the author's work. For example, if the book cites writing by John Doe, you'd work the citation into your work as follows:
Original text of the novel as it's written (Doe).
Include the full citation in the footnotes or endnotes of your work.
Write the second body paragraph based on another tool the author uses, followed by three pieces of evidence. Do this for each of the four tools you've chosen to use for your literary analysis.
Write your thesis statement based on the evidence that relates to your topic and what you may say about it. For example, you can mention the author, his or her work, your overall analysis of the plot as well as the four tools you've just explained in your paper.
Tie everything up with a concluding paragraph by restating your thesis. Include a shortened version of the evidence you used earlier in your paper. Avoid introducing any new ideas in your concluding paragraph. If there's something you'd like to add, go back through your paper and add it in the appropriate paragraph.