Writing Analytical Essays

1
Writing Analytical Essays
2
Strategies for Success

• Apply one theory as a framework for your analysis
• Use your textbook for guidance- particularly the
  questions
• Focus your writing with an upfront thesis
• Develop your thesis with interpretive claims and
  provide supporting evidence for these
• Use the terminology of the theory but demonstrate
  you understand it
• Compose a strong conclusion that avoids
  generalizations and empty statements

3
Avoid writing a three-point basic thesis

• Student 1 example of a weak thesis.
• In the film Hud, the main characters can be
  analyzed using Freudian theory. Hud represents
  the Id, Homer the Superego, and Lon the Ego.

4
Seek a more substantive thesis.

• Student 2 example of an improved thesis.
• Shot in black and white, the cinematography in
  the film Hud mirrors the stark either/or quality
  of the main characters personalities. The
  womanizing Hud is the exact opposite of his stern
  and formidable father Homer. Between these two
  men stands Lon, the next generation of Bannons,
  who must decide for himself which man he will
  choose as a role model.

5
Use theoretical terminology but also demonstrate
you understand it

• Student Example 3
• For most of her life, Madame Loisel has lived
  in a state of what Marx called false
  consciousness, the blindness of the proletariat.
  She does not recognize the class structure of her
  society nor her own position within it until her
  impoverished circumstances force this realization
  upon her.

6
Support claims by summarizing key events

• Example from your textbook (page 95)
• Bread is the most basic of human food, and
  Norriss symbolic use of wheat speculation and
  the starving men awaiting handouts of free bread
  cuts to the very core of the economic dilemma of
  the worker and exposes its rotten marrow. This
  battle for the fundamental symbol of life is
  emblematic of the class struggle of the
  proletariat for a fair share of societys goods
  and services.

7
Support claims by quoting (avoid long quotes)

• Example from your textbook page 75
• The association between expression and
  sexuality is pointed out in the fathers
  criticism of Columbus, a worldly success who was
  a cheat, he declared emphatically.
• Please note the textbook examples do not always
  use citations, be certain to follow proper
  documentation style when quoting, paraphrasing,
  or summarizing specific areas of the text.

8
Avoid informal language

• Example from student writing
• There is quite a bit of symbolism in this short
  story.

9
Avoid preaching and announcing to readers

• We can easily see how a Freudian analysis can
  be applied to this short story.
• OR
• I plan to analyze the short story using
  Freudian theory.