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For this paper you will select a short passage of More’s Utopia and closely analyze it for
what it reveals about More’s text as a whole. The paper should begin with a block quote
from the text (choose from page 57-112) of Utopia (which should not take up more than a third of the first page), and
then follow with that quotation with an in-depth analysis of it, in which you discuss the
significance of the passage by examining specific words and details and connecting these
to the larger themes of Utopia. While you should focus your analysis on the quoted
passage, you are free to quote other short passages from Utopia as well (citing the page
number when you do so). Last—but by no means least—be sure that your paper is
unified around a clearly stated claim.
As explained in the lesson, here are three steps for close analysis.
1) Reflect: What impression does the passage make on you? What is sense does it
give? What “feel” does it give off?
2) Inspect: Trace those impressions back to what is causing them. What details and
words give the passage its feel? Analyze the passage for patterns and repetitions
of ideas, words, and sounds
3) Connect: How

do these details and the impression they make connect to the larger
themes of Utopia? How does this short passage reflect the key ideas of the text as
a whole?
Some Tips for Close Analysis
•Read and re-read the passage, marking up what you notice
•Look for parallels, contrasts, and repetitions
•Freewrite about the passage, quoting the text and talking about the words (TATW)
•Ask: So what? Why does this matter? What does this mean?
Format
The paper should be double-spaced and use 12-point Times New Roman font. Note,
however, that the starting block quote must be single-spaced. The title of the
paper should be in bold. Papers that do not use proper format will not receive full credit.
Grading: To earn an A, papers must show polished sentences, be marred by few or no
errors, and be organized around a clear and interesting claim. Strong papers will also
show careful attention to the specific words and details of the quoted passage. Lower
grades will be earned by papers that, among other things, quote passages but do not
adequately analyze these quotations, lack a clear organizing idea, are tarnished by errors,
or do not follow the format/template.