<p>I was wondering if there was some sort of guide out there that told you what to look for when analyzing lit (this is in those situations where they just ask you to analyze the poem, and don't give you specific things).</p>
<p>I'm thinking of words like:</p>
<p>imagery
selection of detail
tone
theme</p>
<p>Etc. I just want a short list that can sort of "direct" me on what I should look for, basically.</p>
<p>for the poetry analysis at least, the “big four” i usually follow is:
Diction - the use of individual words and their connotations.
Imagery - pretty self-explanatory
Figurative Language - metaphor, simile, personification, all that stuff.
Tone - speaker’s attitude and feelings.</p>
<p>I wish there was a better anagram to remember them by than “DIFT,” but once you get them in your head they’re pretty easy.</p>
<p>Also, some of the time, the prompt will give examples of what things to analyze. You’re not absolutely bound to write about those things, but if they’re included in the prompt it means you’ll be able to find lots of good examples of it in the poem/passage.</p>
<p>^
Diction, Imagery, Figurative language, Tone, + Form.</p>
<p>That’s usually the 5 I look at, but usually I just write about the 3 which I can write most about, unless one thing really makes a huge impact.</p>
<p>wille2511 posted a really helpful acronym to remember literary devices
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/ap-tests-preparation/689561-helpful-acronym-ap-english-lit.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/ap-tests-preparation/689561-helpful-acronym-ap-english-lit.html</a></p>
<p>Good acronym, but I would also add the devices of sound: rhyme, alliteration, assonance, consonance, and onomatopoeia. For poetry, of course.</p>