Adding Your Own Analysis
Avoiding Saying "I"
There are sophisticated ways to include your own opinion without the use of the ubiquitous
"I." Consider the following:
In A Room of One's Own, Woolf creates a metaphor likening women to mirrors that further assists the reader in interpreting
Ophelia's character as a source of sympathy for her lack of identity. Woolf's interpretation of history provides a helpful context
for understanding Ophelia's character as a "mirror" that serves a critical importance by "reflecting" men. Indeed, Ophelia's
identity essentially rests upon this relationship. Aside from the male characters using Ophelia as a "looking glass"--casting
their reflection upon her, showing themselves and the audience their power over her--Ophelia serves no purpose in the play.
By using judgement words like "assists" and "helpful," and confirmation words, like "indeed,"
the writer shows agreement with the critic's statements. Even just using definitive verbs and
taking a strong, confident stand ("Ophelia serves") instead of casting doubt and hesitation
about your opinions ("Ophelia seems to serve") shows your opinion clearly.
Tips:
1) Most introductory or interjecting phrases can just be left out:
In my opinion, Ophelia serves no purpose in the play.
This article is the most persuasive that I read about Ophelia's role.
2) You can also replace them with words like "indeed" or "truly" if you agree, or with
words like "actually" or "however" if you disagree:
In my opinion, Ophelia's role is more complicated than Woolf gives her credit for.
Actually, Ophelia's role is more complicated than Woolf gives her credit for.
3) You can replace "I" with "readers," but don't over-use this method or it gets tedious.
Try the more sophisticated methods above, too. Other synonyms you might use are:
audience, students, admirers, critics, etc.
Here are some words and phrases to help you replace "I" in your writing:
Terms to Show Agreement
indeed
certainly
undeniably
undoubtedly
truly
in fact
as a matter of fact
in point of fact
clearly
accurately
Terms to Show Disagreement
actually
however
on the other hand
in reality
in actuality
in spite of this
disregarding
despite
be that as it may
even so
Organizing your Analysis
The most sophisticated and successful way to write your analysis is to weave it
throughout the paper rather than adding it at the end.
Your instinct will be to separate your opinion from the summary:
A. Summary of Article One
1. Point A
2. Point B
3. Point C
B. Analysis of Article One
1. Point A
2. Point B
3. Point C
Having a paragraph or two of summary before
you start your analysis will make your analysis
less convincing or less relevant because it
will be so far separated from the original article.
But a more sophisticated way to do it is to connect your analysis to each point made by
the writer.
A. Article One
1. Point A
a.
b.
2. Point B
a.
b.
3. Point C
a.
b.
B. Article Two...
summary
analysis
Combining your analysis with the summary will
create a point-by-point structure that is a more
effective way to argue.
summary
analysis
summary
analysis
If you have organized your paper by point rather than by article, you can think of it
more like this, you will want to present the opinions of each article and show how they
relate to each other, while also adding your own opinion about which is most helpful:
A. Point One
1. Article A
2. Article B
3. Your Analysis
B. Point Two...
OR -
A. Point One
1. Article A
2. Your Analysis of Article A
3. Article B
4. Your Analysis of Article B
5. Synthesis of both Articles
B. Point Two...
Be sure to use transition words to indicate
whether the articles agree or disagree with each
other: "Similarly, Article B..." or "On the other
hand, Article B..."
Sample of a Successful Paragraph (condensed version):
Ophelia's role in the play has been a topic of much debate in the modern era. Virginia Woolf argues that
Ophelia has no identity of her own and serves only as "a mirror" for the male characters. Gabrielle Dane,
on the other hand, asserts that Ophelia's madness releases her from this role, allowing her an identity of
her own. Still others maintain that Ophelia's suicide is her defining act and her only self-made decision as
an individual. However, Ophelia's madness cannot be interpreted as a "release" or a final assertion of
Ophelia's individuality but, rather, enhances the reader's sympathy towards Ophelia as a character
without any ultimate identity. For even in madness, Ophelia remains fixated on the males who shaped her
identity.
More Helpful Word Lists
To Add Analysis
The writer argues/
This article argues:
well
persuasively
strongly
convincingly
effectively
conclusively
expertly
adequately
clearly
weakly
unconvincingly
unskillfully
unsuccessfully
clumsily
erroneously (with errors)
His/her _____ point is...
In his/her _____ article ...
best
strongest
most convincing
clearest
most powerful
powerful
compelling
thought-provoking
impressive
skillful
masterful
expert
persuasive
artful
weakest
least convincing
shakiest
flimsiest
least conclusive
least believable
To Introduce the Writer's Ideas
According to …
Based on the findings of ...
Based on the ideas of …
As explained by …
As identified by …
it can be argued...
___ proposed that …
pointed out that …
expressed the opinion that …
goes on to state/suggest/say
states that …
claims that …
suggested …
concluded that …
relates
concluded that …
confirmed that …
argues ….
highlights …
demonstrates …
found that …
identifies …
wrote that …
reported ….
showed that …
explored the idea …
maintained that …
hypothesised that …
also mentioned ….
asserts that ….
identified …
emphasises
defined …. as ….
agreed that …
disputed that …
contrasts …
also …
challenges the idea ….
However, ___ stated that …
Similarly, ___ stated that ….
With regard to ___ argued that …
Examples / Support / Emphasis
in other words
to put it differently
for one thing
as an illustration
in this case
for this reason
to put it another way
that is to say
with attention to
by all means
important to realize
another key point
first thing to remember
most compelling evidence
must be remembered
point often overlooked
to point out
on the positive side
on the negative side
with this in mind
notably
including
like
to be sure
namely
chiefly
truly
indeed
certainly
surely
markedly
such as
especially
explicitly
specifically
expressly
surprisingly
frequently
significantly
particularly
in fact
in general
in particular
in detail
for example
for instance
to demonstrate
to emphasize
to repeat
to clarify
to explain
to enumerate
Conclusion / Summary / Restatement
as can be seen
generally speaking
in the final analysis
all things considered
as shown above
in the long run
given these points
as has been noted
in a word
for the most part
after all
in fact
in summary
in conclusion
in short
in brief
in essence
to summarize
on balance
altogether
overall
ordinarily
usually
by and large
to sum up
on the whole
in any event
in either case
all in all
Obviously
Ultimately
Definitely
Synonyms for "this shows that"
indicates
implies
illustrates
demonstrates
suggests
designates
establishes
makes evident
reveals
insinuates
underlines the point
articulates
highlights
proves
declares
(More lists available at: http://www.smart-words.org/linking-words/transition-words.html)