Analysis Writing Summative
Unit 4 – 1st 9 Weeks
An analytical essay isn’t a summary. Though this may seem obvious in theory, it’s more difficult in practice. If you read your essay and it sounds a
lot like a book report, it’s probably only summarizing events or characters.
Usually, it’s writing that has a more narrowed focus than a summary. Analytical essays usually concentrate on how the book or poem was written—
for example, how certain themes present themselves in the story, or how the use of metaphor brings a certain meaning to a poem.
In short, this type of essay requires you to look at the smaller parts of the work to help shed light on the larger picture.
An example of a prompt could be something like: Analyze the theme of sacrifice in the Harry Potter series.
https://www.kibin.com/essay-writing-blog/analytical-essay-outline/
Prompts for Analysis Writing
Directions: Pick ONE prompt and complete the prewriting sheet and outline sheets. After the prewriting is graded, you will write NO MORE than
two pages on your chosen prompt.
Option 1 - Theme
A theme is a message or lesson an author wants to convey to his/her audience. We have “The Lottery” and “The Possibility of Evil” by Shirley
Jackson, and a possible theme in “The Lottery” and “The Possibility of Evil” is Tradition should prevail no matter the circumstances. The village
in “The Lottery” and Ms. Strangeworth in “The Possibility of Evil” both feel that their societies should not stray from tradition. In this prompt, you
are to write and explain how this theme is explored in both stories.
Option 2 - Theme
Another theme in “The Lottery” and “The Possibility of Evil” by Shirley Jackson is Ignorant decisions can cause destruction. Both the village in
“The Lottery” and Ms. Strangeworth in “The Possibility of Evil” cause pain and suffering to other people due to their decisions that are based on
tradition, emotion, and entitlement. Write an essay about how this theme is portrayed in both stories.
Option 3 – Character Motivation
A character is motived by events and emotions that take place during the story. Mrs. Hutchinson in “The Lottery” is motivated by her unwillingness
to get stoned. Ms. Strangeworth in “The Possibility of Evil” by Shirley Jackson is motivated by her “duty” to keep evil out of her town. Both
characters share the character trait of selfishness. Write about how Mrs. Hutchison and Ms. Strangeworth are both selfish.
Option 4 – Characterization (You MUST be assigned this option)
In “The Possibility of Evil” by Shirley Jackson, Ms. Strangeworth is an old woman who has lived in the same place her parents and grandparents
lived. She states many times of her ownership of the town. She thinks that she is doing her town a favor by writing her notes to people who need
“advice”. In this prompt you are to write an essay that describes Ms. Strangeworth’s character.
Prewriting
Step 1 - Write your chosen prompt in the box
Step 2 - Generate ideas about your topic. You can write ANYTHING relating to the topic. Just think of ideas that tie to your prompt. Write them in
the box.
Step 3 - Now that you have generated ideas, create a thinking map (VENN Diagram, T Chart, Bubble Map, etc.) to map your ideas to fit the prompt.
Remember: you need evidence from BOTH stories.
Outline
Introduction
Thesis – Your thesis will establish your topic sentences in your body paragraphs.
1.
State your topic (restate the prompt somewhat). Make sure to include the works and author.
2.
Write your ideas within the thesis (theme, motivations, similarities and differences).
Example: In “Lucky Day” by Mary Higgins Clark, Nora’s character is established through her actions.
Body 1
Topic Sentence - Each topic sentence in each body paragraph of your analytical essay outline should tell the reader exactly what that section is going to be about; this should refer back to your
thesis.
Example: Nora’s character is established through her actions.
Evidence - You can use quotes or paraphrase parts of the text to add evidence. You MUST include the page number and/or paragraph number regardless of using direct quotes or paraphrase.
Claim – Your claim directs your paragraph into a more specific direction.
Example: She burns the lottery ticket to dispose of the evidence, which shows she loves Jack enough to protect him from a crime.
Body 2
Topic Sentence
Claim
Evidence that supports your topic sentence and refers back to your thesis.
Body 3 (if needed)
Topic Sentence
Evidence that supports your topic sentence and refers back to your thesis.
Conclusion - The conclusion should be a brief restatement of your main points without being a direct copy. Just write down your main points.