Analysis
In analysis essays, students break down how a writer makes a series of specific language choices in order to convey his or her intended message.
Effective analytical writing consists of the following three elements:
Claims identifying choices/devices/strategies the writer uses
Data--textual evidence to back up claims, showing that the identified choices do, in fact, occur
Commentary on the author’s intended effect of the language used (this commentary should elaborate on HOW the language serves the author’s overall purpose for the work)
What to avoid
misunderstanding the text/passage
misrepresenting the strategies/choices in the passage (i.e. calling something a simile that is not a simile)
analyzing the effect(s) of the strategies/choices inaccurately
using evidence or explanations that are insufficient or less convincing
Please see the PDF files below for Analysis of Fiction and Analysis of Nonfiction essay samples.
Files: