what is an analytical essay

what is an analytical essay

Exploring the Art of Writing Analytical Essays

1. Introduction to Analytical Essays

Simply written, there are a number of key requirements that the analytical essay necessitates in decision-making processes without a prescribed evaluation standard. Nevertheless, a lot of investigations and explorations are required. In this essay, students will be better positioned to do so by understanding the components of an analytical essay and how to persuade them of different landscapes and needs. In synthesis and analysis, one of the most important skills that students need to practise through continuous performance is the ability to find and understand the conditions of most students’ research, as well as to employ criteria—a simple as well as a complex one to help them proceed with their decision in their writings of a literary essay.

The art of writing an analytical essay is one of the most significant academic skills that students must constantly work on. An analytical skill allows students to integrate their research on a subject in a single interpretation that answers a particular query, the thesis’s subject. The completion of an analysis can be used to facilitate more writing (such as writing a comprehensive review, general writing, or other writing that makes use of various sources of evidence), the analytical essay acts alone (analyses only through differentiation and synthesis), in which case, it is part of drafting by itself.

2. Key Elements of an Analytical Essay

Some basic theses in an analysis essay include, but are not limited to: why something “is” or “is not” the case rather than merely asserting that it “is” or “is not” in a certain way or to a certain degree; how certain events or situations of the text are organized and for what purpose it serves; how the different elements of a piece of literature or a work of nonfiction, such as the scene, set, and themes, are linked in the work; how the subject of the text is constructed. Analysis makes arguments “proving” how something was done rather than attempting to prove the text as good, bad, true, or false. Argument is based on evidence, analysis, and interpretation. Evidence can come from primary or secondary sources. While some minimum word count for evidence often applies, I typically recommend thirty or more words for evidence or risk a blackened paragraph or two in short analytical essays. Such evidence should be “blended” smoothly into the fabric of a writer’s argument. In addition, ample lead-in context and discussions of who said the evidence/idea and what was said is important to both the evidence and the reader, who may cite the paper and need more context either to simply understand the underpinning argument or to juxtapose the given argument within the original text.

For decades, students have argued about “strong” versus “weak” analytical essays and what a thesis statement should look like or contain. While such discussions often lead to differing perspectives, certain common elements are necessary in any analytic essay – weak or strong.

3. Structuring Your Analytical Essay

Understanding and using this framework will help writers more clearly communicate the analysis in their papers.

3. Conclusion a. Restate your thesis b. Recap each point presented in the body of the paper in support of the thesis c. Recommend a plan of action or ask readers to think about their response to the information presented

2. Body a. Division – Present the main points (reasons, features, etc.) that will be discussed in the order they will be presented. b. Transition – Connect the main points together and provide a transition into the next section. c. Evidence – Present your own comments and meaningful illustrations or evidence to support your claims. Make sure you cite your sources in this section.

1. Introduction a. Introduce the whole topic to use for analysis b. Engage readers c. Present your thesis

What structure can you use for your analytical essay? By carefully organizing the content of the analytical piece, the writer can move through the key ideas and supporting details in an orderly, connected fashion. This structure helps the reader follow the logic and flow of the piece.

4. Developing Strong Arguments and Analysis

Analysis is a lofty word, denoting something that requires more than just a simple scan or glance. In order to develop a perfect argument there are four form-based strategy frameworks one may utilize: reductio arguments, subjunctive arguments, arguments by analogy, and arguments by thesis. A reduction argument is a tactic employed when an issue is denied its importance within the larger picture or another issue. Subjunctive arguments deal with that which could be. For example, when a value is assigned, a subjunctive argument is inevitably formulated. The most common form of subjunctive argument is the cost-benefit analysis. It is an argument in which a determination is made about specific policies or actions based on assumed probabilities of such an action making things better or worse. Arguments by analogy essentially are just what they sound like – a pointing of similarities between one thing and another, and an answer to derive from those likenesses. An argument by thesis involves disagreeing with another argument because of disagreements with the thesis. If a person were to say, “Many people have sex everyday,” one may want to argue against this statement due to the thesis of the matter – not the particulars of its specifics.

An analytical essay is, fundamentally, an argument. The first rule of any argument is to pay attention to what is valuable or important to the audience. In plain terms, not every argument is going to be valuable to everyone, so the first step is not in the argument, but in how the argument is crafted. One basic method is to write convincing, warranted arguments. These are arguments that provide evidence or warrants that support the claim itself. In addition, you must show (through warrants) that the evidence provided is indubitable or true on the whole. However, providing evidence alone is not enough – you must show how the evidence supports your main claim. This section, the analysis or meta-level, is just as important, because it allows insight. Arguments can be strengthened by anticipating the potential criticism of the opposing views. This counterargument can be developed further to strengthen the warrant even more.

5. Concluding Your Analytical Essay

Inside that claim to ownership implicit in the final thesis, lies a powerful end to an essay. Even if your essay has only been a discussion of something without a definitive conclusion, you have the opportunity at the end of the essay to leave the reader thinking again the way you would like them to. Your conclusion should be somewhat personalized rather than robotic. If possible, make a lasting effect by crafting a single true statement that is meant to remain in the mind of your reader after they have read your essay, thus emphasizing the value of your stance and the strength of your essay itself.

The conclusion of an analytical essay serves a fundamentally important role in establishing the overall lasting impression of your discussion. It should, first and foremost, summarize all points made in the essay’s body. This step emphasizes to a reader, particularly a “so what?” type of reader, that your essay is well-organized and well-written. After summarizing your various stances and the evidence used to support them, the conclusion should end with a clear and concise restatement of your thesis. Perhaps you think that repeating your thesis at the conclusion is unnecessary; after all, it was already stated in your introduction. Restating your thesis at the end of your last paragraph, however, allows you to accomplish a few different elements. Not only does it provide the reader with a definitive statement to bring a secure close to the previous discussion or critiques, it also emphasizes the progress made in the analysis or in the author’s thinking. A thesis placed in the conclusion illustrates powerfully, in a binary kind of fashion, that we have moved, within the span of the essay, from an objective opening into a personal stance.