Analytical Essay Writing

Transcription

1 Analytical Essay Writing

2 What is an analytical essay? An analytical essay, as you would assume, analyses an event, person, or text. Generally, an analytical essay is centred on an argument or idea, with supporting paragraphs to prove the argument analytically. Unlike a persuasive essay, the arguments within an analytical essay can be wrong. Rather than give your opinion to convince an audience, you are exposing elements of the text to inform your audience. You achieve this through using evidence and logic. Your language should be purposeful and formal.

3 Essay structure Thesis (Introduction) Introducing the topic and indicating the writer s point of view. Argument Support the thesis using facts and evidence from sources Argument Support the thesis using facts and evidence from sources Argument Support the thesis using facts and evidence from sources Reiteration (Conclusion) Restating the thesis. summary/conclusion of what has been stated before in the previous paragraphs.

4 Thesis statement Your thesis statement (main idea, focus) must be clearly stated in your introductory paragraph. It will be based on your chosen question. The thesis should be fairly broad. Stay away from narrow statements or facts that can be easily proven or disproven. Give yourself a challenge and the reader will be engaged. Usually the thesis statement is the sentence that ends your introduction.

5 A bad thesis No opportunity for argument Ponyboy is more mature than Johnny because he has a better family who supports him and Johnny don t. Broad, biased statement Informal language

6 A good thesis Re-worded question Formal language Ponyboy s maturity is reflected in The Outsiders to a large extent, especially in comparison to characters like Johnny. His ability to reflect critically on his own emotions and thoughts allow him to make informed decisions that demonstrate a high level of maturity. Explanation with room for further argument

7 Your turn Respond to the following question by writing one bad and one good thesis. In The Outsiders, how is the theme of love represented through Ponyboy s character?

8 Body paragraphs Approximately three paragraphs these paragraphs should answer the question why? They need to give evidence to support your thesis. Include the following in each paragraph: Specific examples to prove your point Quotations from the novel, passages, descriptions and comparisons Explanation of the significance of your examples in terms of the thesis statement. How do they fit in with your main ideas why are they relevant? Link your ideas back to your thesis in each paragraph.

9 Teel structure Topic sentence: this is where you state your argument Explain: This is where you explain what your argument is about (this can sometimes be 2-3 sentences long) Example: this is where you provide an example justifying your point of view on the argument Link: this is where you sum up this point and link it to your next point (this can also be between 2 3 sentences)

10 Your turn Sort the following sentences into TEEL structure, matching them against their appropriate heading - Ponyboy s loyalty under a stressful and life-threatening situation demonstrates his love for his friend. This is shown when Johnny kills rival gang member, Bob, and Ponyboy protects him by fleeing and hiding with him. Ponyboy portrays the theme of love in The Outsiders through his friendship with Johnny. As the two youngest members of the Greasers, Ponyboy and Johnny spend a lot of time together and become close.

11 Conclusion One paragraph only here you need to tell the reader what you told them throughout the essay and leave them with something to think about. Include the following: Restate your thesis, emphasise the main points that you have made; Provide a summary of the three main points of your body paragraphs Put these together using words like In conclusion, it is evident, it is obvious, clearly Leave the reader with something to think about.

12 Referencing quotes When using quotes (which you will, because this is your evidence), you need to reference and format them correctly. If your quote is one or two lines, they will look like this Tony Abbot said, if you come here by boat without a valid visa, you will not be settled in Australia (2013). Make sure you use quotation marks around the quote, reference source author and year in brackets at the end of the quote, and if your quote is in a sentence, use commas properly. You may also use source numbers.

13 Referencing quotes If your quote is more than 40 words, it will look like this In Zubrzycki s address to the AEAC, he stated Australia has always been an immigrant society. Since there is not one Aboriginal Australian in our midst we are all immigrants or descendants from immigrants. This is, to use a farmer's term, what gives us our hybrid rigour. It has brought Australia a polyglot culture, the best of a score of older, wiser civilisations. (1977) Then continue your paragraph down here without indentation.

14 Your turn Choose two quotes from the novel one short quote and one long quote. Practice using these quotes within sentences, using appropriate referencing conventions.