Steps to Begin the Written Analysis
Step 1: Story Selection
 At this point, you should already have a good idea of what story and culture you will focus on for the assessment
Step 2: Research
 Do your research on the factual information that is included in your story or perhaps the things that influenced the
writing of the short story
o For example—Let’s say I am doing my project on the play Antigone by Sophocles
 Author’s life, history, and reason for writing the story
-example: I will think about why Sophocles wrote Antigone and what was Ancient Greece’s
response to the play?
 Historical time period the text is set in
-example: The historical time period for Antigone is set in Ancient Greece in the city of
Thebes, city of Athens (where Sophocles is from), and I might even research the Festival of
Dionysius
 Culture and aspects the story focuses on or is written about
-example: Ancient Greeks, Greek mythology, Greek royalty, Greek government, etc
Step 3: Developing the Thesis
 Make a claim about the story that is based on your research
o For example—After I researched Greek life and discovered that Athens was a democracy, I thought about the
character Creon who was a tyrant king. I will begin to make the analysis that maybe Sophocles wrote
Antigone as a warning to the Greek about what might happen if they let a tyrant rule.
-strong example thesis: Sophocles wrote his famous play, Antigone, as a warning to his
fellow citizens of Athens to adhere to traditional religious beliefs and avoid the dangers of
proud tyrant.
Step 4: Writing the Paper

Write your paper with clear support from your research and reading of the text
o For example—For the above thesis I would have to explain the historical facts I found about the Greeks,
demonstrate how Creon is a tyrant, show how Antigone rebels against him, and conclude that Antigone is an
example for the Greeks to follow because she represents traditional values and religious beliefs.
Steps to Begin the Written Analysis
Step 1: Story Selection
 At this point, you should already have a good idea of what story and culture you will focus on for the assessment
Step 2: Research
 Do your research on the factual information that is included in your story or perhaps the things that influenced the
writing of the short story
o For example—Let’s say I am doing my project on the play Antigone by Sophocles
 Author’s life, history, and reason for writing the story
-example: I will think about why Sophocles wrote Antigone and what was Ancient Greece’s
response to the play?
 Historical time period the text is set in
-example: The historical time period for Antigone is set in Ancient Greece in the city of
Thebes, city of Athens (where Sophocles is from), and I might even research the Festival of
Dionysius
 Culture and aspects the story focuses on or is written about
-example: Ancient Greeks, Greek mythology, Greek royalty, Greek government, etc
Step 3: Developing the Thesis
 Make a claim about the story that is based on your research
o For example—After I researched Greek life and discovered that Athens was a democracy, I thought about the
character Creon who was a tyrant king. I will begin to make the analysis that maybe Sophocles wrote
Antigone as a warning to the Greek about what might happen if they let a tyrant rule.
-strong example thesis: Sophocles wrote his famous play, Antigone, as a warning to his
fellow citizens of Athens to adhere to traditional religious beliefs and avoid the dangers of
proud tyrant.
Step 4: Writing the Paper

Write your paper with clear support from your research and reading of the text
o For example—For the above thesis I would have to explain the historical facts I found about the Greeks,
demonstrate how Creon is a tyrant, show how Antigone rebels against him, and conclude that Antigone is an
example for the Greeks to follow because she represents traditional values and religious beliefs.