English Short Story Analysis
The short story is “The gift of the Magi” by O.Henry. You will write a literary analysis, around 450 to 500 words, according to MLA style, using a minimum of one criticism (the Works Cited page is excluded from the word count). Select at least one literary criticism; read and annotate the text so that you can pull out a thesis statement easily. Since this is a very short paper (around 450 to 500 words), you need only a one-part thesis statement. That way, you will be able to provide a more rounded discussion on the issue that the critic is analyzing and incorporate his assertions into your analysis.
Introduction (at least 100 words): provide a very brief storyline so that the reader can become acquainted with the characters and the main conflict in the story; end your intro. paragraph with your thesis statement—one-part thesis statement.
Body: use your criticism and compose two good paragraphs (150 words each), analyzing the main issue stated in your thesis statement. Make sure that you provide internal documentation (last name of critic or last name of the author of your short story) when you are using your critic’s words or when you are referring to an excerpt from the story.
Conclusion: pull everything together and state your own evaluation of the story (at least 50 words).
Works Cited page: at least two sources: the criticism and the story.
