An analysis is an accurate study aimed at examining the elements of a text, an argument or a work of art. Very often teachers in the topics they assign to students require the analysis of a text or a work of art, formulating a critical synthesis of the work and explaining the reasoning behind the work. You can learn how to write an analysis through careful reading, underlining and writing.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Preparation Before Reading
Step 1. Read the assigned task carefully before starting the text analysis
Most teachers will specify certain parts of the program that need to be highlighted in your analysis, such as characters, figurative language, or themes.
Highlight the potential topics of the thesis, if you can spot them in the first reading
Step 2. Write notes as you read
Use a pencil and a highlighter to analyze the material. Thanks to the notes and underlines you can produce a more accurate analysis of the text.
- Choose a different type of notes for each element of the text to be analyzed. If you are reading a literary text, you can highlight figurative language, underline themes, and put information about characters, plot, and setting in parentheses. Write notes in the margin of the page to help you remember the importance of specific parts.
- Create a legend at the beginning or at the end of the text to clarify the notation system.
Step 3. Outline a pattern on a paper or on your computer, noting subtitles, such as setting, tone, antagonist, protagonist, themes and figurative language
List the page numbers that are related to these analysis topics, so you can quickly consult them as you write.
If you are analyzing an essay, it is recommended that you use the following subtitles: topic, evidence, thesis and theory
Method 2 of 5: Outline the Analysis
Step 1. Review your preliminary outline again when you have finished reading the material
Step 2. Determine if you are asked to analyze the work in its entirety, as in the case of a book review, or to analyze every single aspect of the text
Keep in mind that the grade you will receive for the analysis will depend on how accurately you respond to the teacher's questions, as well as your reflections and the quality of your writing
Step 3. Outline the topics you wish to discuss in your analysis
You could add the following parts, as well as an introductory summary and concluding paragraph:
- Determine the type of narrative and its tone. If you are analyzing an essay, it is advisable to analyze the tone of the work.
- Describe the setting. Establish the place, time, geographic location, and other details that are provided to the reader that influence the story
- Think about the author's writing style. Both in a literary and scientific analysis, it explains how the author manages to involve the reader or to make the information more reliable.
- Write your thoughts on the characters, such as the protagonist and the antagonist. Ask yourself if they were built on the model of other literary characters, if they are stereotypes and if they are dynamic.
- Choose different themes or theses to discuss. Collect quotes from the text to support your analysis.
- Add any counter arguments. Discuss controversial aspects of the text.
- Establish the relevance of the text to the general public.
Method 3 of 5: Demonstration
Step 1. Double-check your notes
Add page numbers with annotations in each of the themes you want to cover.
Step 2. Collect various citations for each topic of the analysis
Each point must be supported by concrete evidence drawn from the text.
Method 4 of 5: First draft
Step 1. Start writing by detailing each topic in your initial outline
Step 2. Write an introduction to summarize the analysis
Step 3. Try to draw conclusions relevant to the points covered
Try to understand what lies behind the various quotes you are using to prove the validity of the analysis.
Be specific and don't generalize. A well-written analysis must be clear and thoughtful. Often pausing to analyze fewer elements but in more detail you can get a better grade
Step 4. Write the conclusion, including what the text may mean to the reader or society
Method 5 of 5: Review and Edit
Step 1. Correct your work
In addition to using spell checker, make sure you have not made any spelling and grammar mistakes.
Step 2. Review your analysis
Your every consideration must be supported by relevant evidence and insights.
Step 3. Review the initial outline before submitting the final version
Make sure you have followed all of the assignment guidelines, including length, format, and references if needed.
