Analysis Techniques
Characterize—tell what kind of tone, mood, character trait, setting, or style you
perceive. Your selection of the most apt word choice is crucial.
Contrast—or compare. This simple technique is one of the best ways to bring
complexity into your analysis.
Conclusion—draw a conclusion. Have a reason for pointing out what you do. Your
idea gets to some major issue that needs pointing out or clarifying.
Context—quickly provide the context so the reader is on the same page as you. The
context might be part of the complexity, as well. It is at this particular point that the
crucial information is presented.
Connections—relate to earlier or later parts of the book. Discover patterns and then
significance with those patterns.
Complexity—be ambitious. Don’t settle for the easy, obvious points. Find the irony,
the subtlety, maybe even the symbolism.
Conjecture—propose a point.
Convincing—prove your point. Bring in evidence.
Concrete—bring specifics in to back up your abstract ideas.