Literary Analysis & Critical Thinking
GRADES 7-8 | Ages 12-14
TRUTH CARRIERS ACADEMY
Language Arts Series
You're ready to move beyond basic comprehension to literary analysis - the art of examining how and why texts are constructed the way they are.
Scripture is the most literary book ever written, containing poetry, prophecy, history, letters, parables, and more. By understanding literary techniques, you'll unlock deeper meaning in Yahuah's Word and develop discernment for all texts you encounter.
In this workbook, you'll analyze:
The Universal Truth Behind the Story
Theme is the central message or insight about life that an author conveys. Unlike the topic (what a text is about), theme expresses a truth or insight.
Topic: Obedience (one word)
Theme: Obedience to Yahuah, even when difficult, leads to blessing (complete statement)
Finding Theme: Ask "What does this story teach about human nature, life, or truth?"
After these things Elohim tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" And he answered, "Here I am." He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you."
Abraham rose early the next morning. He did not argue or delay. He saddled his donkey, took two servants and Isaac, and cut wood for the burnt offering. On the third day, Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place far off. He told his servants, "Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you."
Isaac spoke: "Father... the fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" Abraham said, "Elohim will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son."
When they came to the place, Abraham built an altar and laid the wood in order. He bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son.
But the angel of Yahuah called from heaven: "Abraham, Abraham! Do not lay your hand on the boy. For now I know that you fear Elohim, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me."
Abraham lifted his eyes and saw a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. He offered the ram instead of his son. Abraham called that place "Yahuah Yireh" - Yahuah Will Provide.
- Genesis 22:1-14 (paraphrased)
1. What is the TOPIC of this passage? (1-2 words)
2. Which statement best expresses the THEME?
3. How does Abraham's behavior reveal the theme? Cite specific textual evidence.
4. The phrase "Yahuah Yireh" (Yahuah Will Provide) connects to which secondary theme?
5. Advanced: This passage foreshadows a future event. Yahuah would one day provide His own Son on this same mountain (Moriah = Jerusalem). How does this connection deepen the theme?
6. What does Abraham's statement "we will worship and come again to you" reveal about his faith? (See Hebrews 11:17-19)
Explain the difference between topic and theme without looking back:
What has Yahuah asked you to trust Him with, even when it's hard? How does Abraham's example encourage you?
Objects That Represent Deeper Meaning
Symbol: An object, person, or event that represents something beyond its literal meaning.
Scripture is rich with symbols that carry consistent meaning throughout:
"Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: 'On the tenth of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household... Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats.
'Now you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month. Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight. And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it...
'For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt... Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.'"
- Exodus 12:3-13
- John the Baptist, seeing Yahusha (John 1:29)
1. Complete the symbolism chart:
| Symbol | Literal Meaning | Symbolic Meaning (Prophetic Fulfillment) |
|---|---|---|
| The lamb | Animal for sacrifice | |
| Without blemish | No defects | |
| The blood | Physical blood of lamb | |
| Doorposts/Lintel | Parts of the door frame | |
| Death passing over | Firstborn spared |
2. Why is it significant that John called Yahusha "the Lamb of Elohim"?
3. The lamb was killed "at twilight" on the 14th of the month. Research shows Yahusha was crucified at the same time. What does this parallel reveal about Scripture?
4. In 1 Corinthians 5:7, Paul writes: "For indeed Messiah, our Passover, was sacrificed for us." How does understanding Passover symbolism deepen our understanding of Yahusha's sacrifice?
Why do you think Yahuah uses symbols and patterns throughout Scripture rather than just stating everything plainly?
The Poetry of Scripture
Parallelism is the primary feature of Hebrew poetry. Instead of rhyme, Hebrew poetry uses paired lines with related ideas.
Synonymous Parallelism: Second line restates the first in different words
"The heavens declare the glory of Elohim; / the skies proclaim the work of His hands." (Psalm 19:1)
Antithetical Parallelism: Second line contrasts with the first
"A wise son brings joy to his father, / but a foolish son brings grief to his mother." (Proverbs 10:1)
Synthetic Parallelism: Second line builds on or completes the first
"Yahuah is my shepherd; / I shall not want." (Psalm 23:1)
1. "Create in me a clean heart, O Elohim, / and renew a right spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10)
2. "For Yahuah knows the way of the righteous, / but the way of the wicked will perish." (Psalm 1:6)
3. "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, / nor stands in the way of sinners, / nor sits in the seat of scoffers." (Psalm 1:1)
4. "The law of Yahuah is perfect, reviving the soul; / the testimony of Yahuah is sure, making wise the simple." (Psalm 19:7)
5. "Weeping may endure for a night, / but joy comes in the morning." (Psalm 30:5)
1. Identify the type of parallelism in each verse:
Verse 1 (Psalm 51:10):
Verse 2 (Psalm 1:6):
Verse 5 (Psalm 30:5):
2. In Psalm 1:1, there is a progression: walks → stands → sits. What does this pattern show about how sin develops?
3. Why might Hebrew poets use synonymous parallelism (saying the same thing twice in different words)?
4. Write your own parallel verse about Yahuah's Word. Identify which type you used:
Line 1:
Line 2:
Type:
How does understanding Hebrew parallelism help you read the Psalms and Proverbs more deeply?
The Art of Persuasion
Rhetoric is the art of effective communication, especially persuasion.
Aristotle's Three Appeals:
Rhetorical Questions: Questions asked for effect, not expecting an answer
"Now if Messiah is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Messiah is not risen. And if Messiah is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.
Yes, and we are found false witnesses of Elohim, because we have testified of Elohim that He raised up Messiah, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Messiah is not risen. And if Messiah is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!
Then also those who have fallen asleep in Messiah have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Messiah, we are of all men the most pitiable.
But now Messiah IS risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep."
1. Paul uses a logical "if-then" structure. Complete the chain of logic:
IF there is no resurrection... THEN
IF Messiah is not risen... THEN
IF our faith is futile... THEN
2. What rhetorical appeal (ethos, pathos, logos) is Paul primarily using?
Evidence:
3. "We are of all men the most pitiable" - which appeal is this?
4. Paul shifts dramatically with "But now..." How does this contrast strengthen his argument?
5. Find a rhetorical question in the passage and explain its effect:
Question:
Effect:
Why is understanding rhetoric important for discerning truth from deception in modern media?
Errors in Reasoning
Logical Fallacy: An error in reasoning that weakens an argument.
Common Fallacies:
A. "You can't trust what that person says about evolution - they're just a religious fanatic."
B. "99% of scientists believe in evolution, so it must be true."
C. "Creationists think the earth is only 6,000 years old and dinosaurs don't exist. That's obviously ridiculous." (Note: Most creationists do believe dinosaurs existed.)
D. "Either you accept modern science completely, or you're anti-science."
E. "We know evolution is true because scientists have proven it. And we know scientists have proven it because evolution is accepted science."
F. "Dr. Smith, a renowned biologist, says there's no evidence for creation. Case closed."
1. Match each argument (A-F) to its fallacy:
A:
B:
C:
D:
E:
F:
2. Why is "appeal to popularity" a fallacy? Give a historical example where the majority was wrong.
3. Rewrite argument D without the false dichotomy:
4. Scripture warns against these errors. Match each verse to a fallacy it addresses:
"Prove all things" (1 Thess 5:21) addresses:
"You shall not follow a crowd to do evil" (Exodus 23:2) addresses:
Find an example of a logical fallacy in something you've read, watched, or heard recently. What was the fallacy, and how did you identify it?
How Authors Reveal Character
Direct Characterization: Author directly tells you about a character ("Noah was a righteous man")
Indirect Characterization: Revealed through:
Peter had boasted, "Even if all fall away, I will not." When the soldiers came for Yahusha in the garden, Peter drew his sword and cut off a servant's ear. Later that night, warming himself by a fire, Peter was asked three times if he knew Yahusha. Three times he denied it - the last time with curses and oaths.
Then the rooster crowed. Yahusha turned and looked straight at Peter. Peter went outside and wept bitterly.
After the resurrection, Yahusha found Peter fishing - he had returned to his old life. Yahusha called from the shore, and Peter dove into the water and swam to Him. Over breakfast, Yahusha asked Peter three times: "Do you love me?" Each time Peter affirmed his love. Each time Yahusha said, "Feed my sheep."
The same Peter who had denied Yahusha stood before the crowd at Pentecost and preached boldly. Thousands came to faith. Later, when commanded to stop speaking about Yahusha, Peter declared, "We must obey Elohim rather than men." Tradition tells us Peter eventually died a martyr's death, reportedly asking to be crucified upside down because he felt unworthy to die like his Master.
1. Complete the STEAL chart for Peter:
| Method | Example from Text | What It Reveals |
|---|---|---|
| Speech | ||
| Thoughts | (Implied through actions) | |
| Effect on Others | ||
| Actions |
2. Why is it significant that Yahusha asked Peter "Do you love me?" three times?
3. How does Peter change from the beginning to the end of the passage? What caused this change?
4. Peter is a dynamic character (one who changes). What does his transformation teach about repentance and restoration?
Have you ever failed badly and been restored? How does Peter's story encourage you?
Understanding the Original Audience
Historical Context: The circumstances in which a text was written - who wrote it, to whom, when, where, and why.
Questions to Ask:
Understanding context prevents misinterpretation.
"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: '...I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.'"
- Revelation 3:14-17
Laodicea was a wealthy banking center known for black wool and eye salve. The city had no natural water supply. Water was piped in from hot springs near Hierapolis (6 miles away) and arrived lukewarm and mineral-laden - unpleasant to drink. Nearby Colossae had cold, refreshing springs. Hot water was useful for bathing and healing; cold water was refreshing. But lukewarm, mineral-filled water made people sick.
1. Without historical context, what might people mistakenly think "cold" means?
2. With historical context, what does "cold" actually represent?
3. Why would Yahusha's reference to being "poor, blind, and naked" be especially pointed to Laodiceans? (Think about what they were famous for.)
4. How does understanding Laodicea's water situation completely change the meaning of this passage?
What resources could you use to learn more about historical context when studying Scripture?
Recognizing Manipulation
Propaganda: Information used to promote a particular viewpoint, often through manipulation rather than honest persuasion.
Common Techniques:
A. "All the major universities agree that religion is outdated. Don't be left behind - embrace modern thinking!"
B. "Science deniers are threatening our future. These dangerous extremists want to return to the Dark Ages."
C. "Progress. Innovation. Future. Join the movement toward enlightenment."
D. "Studies show X is true." (No citation, no source, repeated in every article)
E. A politician stands in front of an American flag, a family, and a church while talking about unrelated policies.
1. Identify the propaganda technique in each example:
A:
B:
C:
D:
E:
2. Why is "card stacking" particularly dangerous?
3. How does 1 John 4:1 apply to propaganda? ("Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from Elohim...")
4. Create a checklist for evaluating media messages:
Find an example of propaganda in current media. Identify the technique and explain how to counter it with truth.
Shadows Pointing to Reality
Type: A person, event, or thing in the Old Testament that foreshadows something greater in the New Testament (the Antitype).
Examples:
"These are a shadow of things to come, but the substance belongs to Messiah." (Colossians 2:17)
Consider Joseph's life: Beloved son of his father. Hated by his brothers. Sold for silver. Falsely accused. Suffered unjustly. Raised to power at the right hand of the king. Provided bread for the starving world. Eventually revealed his identity to his brothers, who wept and were reconciled to him. What was meant for evil, Elohim turned to good for the salvation of many.
1. Complete the typology chart:
| Joseph (Type) | Yahusha (Antitype) |
|---|---|
| Beloved son of his father | |
| Hated by his brothers | |
| Sold for silver | |
| Falsely accused | |
| Raised to right hand of king | |
| Provided bread for the world | |
| Brothers reconciled when he revealed himself |
2. What does the existence of types throughout Scripture suggest about Yahuah's authorship of the Bible?
3. Read John 3:14-15. What type is Yahusha referencing, and what does it mean?
How does typology strengthen your faith in Scripture as divinely inspired?
Building Understanding from Multiple Texts
Synthesis: Combining information from multiple sources to create deeper understanding.
Steps:
Scripture interprets Scripture - comparing passages reveals fuller truth.
"And Elohim said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters... And Elohim called the firmament Heaven."
"Can you, with Him, spread out the skies, strong as a cast metal mirror?"
"It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in."
"Space is an infinite vacuum extending in all directions. There is no boundary, dome, or firmament above the earth. Ancient people believed in a solid sky, but we now know this was primitive mythology."
1. What do Sources 1-3 (Scripture) have in common about the sky?
2. How does Source 4 contradict Sources 1-3?
3. Source 4 claims the biblical view is "primitive mythology." What assumption is this based on?
4. If you synthesize only Sources 1-3, what picture of the heavens emerges?
5. What is your ultimate authority for truth: Scripture or modern scientific consensus? Why?
How will you handle situations where Scripture and modern "science" seem to conflict?
TRUTH CARRIERS ACADEMY
Advanced Reading & Literary Analysis - Grades 7-8
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of Elohim, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."
- 2 Timothy 3:16