Writing an Analytical Essay

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Writing an Analytical Essay
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Organization

• 5 paragraphs! (this is across the board for all
  English 9 classes)
• Balanced the introduction and/or conclusion
  should never outweigh the body paragraphs in
  length or importance. The body is the MOST
  important aspect of the essay. (hand analogy)
• Logical the intro should be first and should
  contain the thesis statement. The body paragraphs
  should discuss information in order according to
  what you have established in your thesis. The
  conclusion is last.

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The Thesis Statement

• The LAST sentence of the FIRST paragraph/intro.
• This maps out the focus of your essay.
• Answers AND restates the prompt or point you want
  to PROVE. (Do NOT reserve your point, answer,
  discovery, etc for the end of your paper. State
  it upfront.) (Present/gift analogy)
• Is a statementnot statementS. One sentence
  for a thesis statement.

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Quoting from the Literature

• Comes from the text, excerpt, novel, play, etc.
• Supplies the necessary EVIDENCE to PROVE your
  thesis statement. (Courtroom analogy.)
• Good quoting follows up a commentary,
  observation, or statement made in the essay.
• Analysis and/or synthesis of the quote must
  follow.
• Quotes should NEVER end a paragraph. This forces
  assumption on the reader and lacks analysis and
  synthesis.
• Refer to handout on proper quoting!!!!

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Tense and POV when writing about Literature

• POV is third person only. No 1st (I, me, my, we,
  our) or 2nd (you, your, youre) person is to be
  used!!
• When referring to the action taking place in a
  piece of literature, PRESENT tense should be used
  because the action always continues. (Music card
  analogy)
• When referring to the time period or the authors
  past, obviously PAST tense is used (especially if
  the author is dead). (refer to handout)
• When in doubt, ASK! And always be consistent.

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The PowerParagraph

• Think of a paragraph like a mini-essay in itself
• A topic sentence is like a thesis statement. The
  paragraph should only focus on ONE main idea.
• Each statement or observation made must be
  supported with evidence (i.e. quotes!)
• Need a concluding statement that CONNECTS BACK TO
  THE THESIS OF YOUR ESSAY!!!
• WARNING!!!the next slide is simply a guide!

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PowerParagraph continued
A Visual Representation
Indent
1
Paragraph
2
Topic sentence that states the main idea of the
paragraph
These groups should refer to the thesis
throughout
Commentary, statements, observations (your own
words)
Supporting evidence from text (quote)!!
Analysis and/or synthesis of the importance of
the quote
Concluding idea that connects back to the thesis
statement
For thoroughness, it is a good idea to include an
extra set of red, yellow, and green in your
paragraph. This will provide depth and
additional evidence to prove your thesis.
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Avoiding Formulaic Writing

• The last slide was simply a guide. If your
  writing is TOO precise, it becomes formulaic.
• Strive for flow and freedom of movement from idea
  to idea.
• Use transitions to go from idea to idea. Avoid
  the leap of faith. (Transition handout)
• YOU must make the connection between your ideas
  and your thesis statement.
• If you leave the evaluator to do this, you have
  created forced assumption, which is a big NO,NO!

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Errors that will cause your score to drop

• If the evaluator has to refer back to the thesis
  because he/she has become lost in the essay.
• Leaps of faith
• Lack of sufficient, specific evidence (quotes)
• Over-generalized or oversimplified statements
• Forced assumption
• Incorrect tense
• Misinformation of material
• Juvenile sentences and elementary word choice
• Typo-s, usage errors, spelling errors
• Not following specified directions

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Continued

• S.A.L.O.N. Saying A Lot Of Nothing
• Summarizing material when you should be analyzing
  and synthesizing.

• Remember some of the following tips
• Avoid overusing contractions
• Punctuation goes INSIDE quotation marks (only
  rarely does it occur outside use DOUBLE
  marks )
• Avoid announcing what your paper will be about in
  the thesis.
• Proofread your paper out loud. This helps you
  develop fluidity in sentence structure and helps
  you catch choppy, awkward sentences.