Leopard’s Analytical Writing Resource
1. Generally speaking, in an analysis essay, you should write deductively; that is, place your
thesis as the final sentence in your introductory paragraph and build your essay from
there.
2. Your thesis statement must be arguable. What are you trying to prove and why does it
matter in the grand scheme of the analysis? Remember that a thesis is NOT a summary of
the original text, but a position you make about the rhetorical appeals and effect of the
work. In most cases, on the AP Exam, you will also need to write a closed thesis
statement.
For example, “Groucho Marx uses humor to defend his movie” (Shea 62) is too
vague and lacks details.
Instead write “Rather than take on Warner Bros., Groucho Marx jabs and feints
until the studio couldn’t possibly take its own claim seriously” (Shea 62).
3. Give your essay a catchy title to pique interest and a descriptive title that is academic.
Also, do not underline or italicize your title which are reserved for published works only.
For example, Just Do It: Risk-Taking and Collaborative Learning Theory in
Multiplayer Video Games” (writing.markfullmer.com/academic-style-titles).
4. Use only the most important kernel of a quotation as necessary. Cite in proper MLA
format. Also, frame the quotations properly. You cannot just slap a quotation in the
middle of a paragraph and be fine (Shea 162-163).
5. Remember that you need to open the door of analysis with a quotation AND you must
cross the threshold by explaining how the quotation ties into your thesis.
6. PEE all over your essay! State your Point. Give an Example (textual support). Explain the
quotation in regards to your thesis. Or, if you prefer, OQR. Give your Opinion. Cite a
Quotation. State the Relevance of the quotation to the thesis.
7. Each paragraph must have a topic sentence that illustrates very clearly the point of the
paragraph. The topic sentence generally appears as the first sentence of the paragraph.
8. Avoid negative language at all costs, especially in the topic sentences. Thus, avoid no,
never, not.
For example, instead of writing I cannot fathom the possibility of failing a class,
state I find failing a class incomprehensible. Of course, note that this may cause
other issues like passive voice, but you get the idea.
9. Avoid absolutes, instead hedge. Unless you have done extensive research and are ready
to prove your stance with clear statistics, you cannot say all, every, everyone, none,
never. Instead hedge with several, many, few, some, rarely, seldom.
10. Avoid sexist language. You can use he or she, s/he, or gender neutral nouns. For
example, instead of a student learns his subject, state students learn their subjects. Of
course, this means you need to be very aware of plural and singular forms of pronouns
and their antecedents.
11. Please avoid vague subjects such as “this,” “this is,” “there are,” and “it is.” Instead,
please be specific as to what exactly is the subject of the sentence.
12. Remain in present tense and not present participle. The essay/text still exists and should
be referred to in the present. The exception is if action happens before the text begins. For
example, Emerson’s father was a minister (occurs before he writes Education). Emerson
encourages teachers to listen to their students’ desires (happens in Education).
13. Use active verbs and avoid passive voice. Use precise verbs. For example, instead of
writing “My first college visit will always be remembered by me” (Shea 694). Write I
will remember my first college visit fondly.
14. Watch out for comma errors. Remember that you must use a comma before a
coordinating conjunction appearing between two independent clauses.
15. Avoid metacognition. Do not state In this essay I will, I personally believe, When
thinking about the topic. All of these are obvious statements. Additionally, avoid
redundancy.
16. Avoid using the verb states. Refer to the extensive list of active verbs I gave you to
frame your quotations in your essay. Active verbs are also discussed in your textbook on
pp. 693-94.
17. Your conclusion should move beyond an essay summary. Call your reader to action,
develop a broader problem, or connect to something beyond your original premise.
18. Read your papers out loud. You will catch a lot of errors if you hear what I see when
reading your essays.
19. Avoid obvious statements; they lack complexity of thought.
For example, avoid statements like this. Men and women do not think alike
therefore their answers to this question will differ.