Writing an Analysis
Introduction/Paragraph 1
Attention getter: get the reader’s attention – give them a reason to keep reading
Relevant quote from an outside source
Relevant quote from the story
Fact or statistic
Description of initial response to the work
Shocking or amusing generalization
Whichever method you decide to use, make sure the attention-getter is relevant to the topic of your
paper.
Be sure to include necessary information
o Title of the story/source you are analyzing
o Author
o Very brief summary of plot (mainly the portion relevant to your topic)
Thesis: Your thesis should consist of a topic and limiting ideas. It should never be a question. If you are
trying to convince someone to agree with you then your thesis should clearly identify what side you are
on. Your thesis is what should give your paper focus. Every paragraph should circle back and support
what you are trying to prove (your thesis).
Do not use “I think” or “In my opinion” or “I am going to tell you about…” types of statements in
your introduction. Your reader will know that this paper is your opinion without you telling
them.
How to write a good thesis statement:
What the heck is a thesis statement anyway?
Almost all of us – even if we don’t do it consciously – look early in an essay or article for a one or
two sentence condensation of the argument or analysis that is to follow. That condensation is
known as a thesis statement.
Why should your essay contain a thesis statement?
to test your ideas by distilling them into a sentence or two
to better organize and develop your argument
to provide your reader with a “guide” to your argument
because your future English teachers (and many other teachers) will expect you to know how to
write an effective thesis statement
without a carefully conceived thesis, an essay has little to no chance of success. In general, your
thesis statement will accomplish these goals if you think of the thesis as the answer to the
question your paper explores.
The best place to place your thesis statement is at the end of your introductory paragraph
Remember: thesis statements MUST:
Be focused
Be an opinion
Be able to stand alone
Example: Of Mice and Men makes it clear that capital punishment is a bad idea and should not be
practiced. (This is what the writer will need to prove throughout the essay by using clear examples from
the novel).
Body/Paragraph 2
Topic sentence: this is a focused and limited idea that this paragraph will be about.
Example: George was right in killing Lennie.
Support: Now prove why you think this. Again, use examples from the novel to support your thinking in
addition to other relevant details or examples you may want to use. Stay focused proving your topic
sentence only. If/when possible, try to come up with 2 – 3 different examples of supporting evidence.
You will usually want to save your strongest point for last. If necessary (it isn’t obvious)explain how your
points relate to your topic sentence and/or thesis statement.
Transition to your next paragraph. Your transition needs to be relevant to both this paragraph and your
next. If you can’t do that then don’t put it here. Use a transition word (preferably buried) in your next
paragraph.
Body/Paragraph 3
Topic sentence: this is a focused and limited idea that this paragraph will be about.
Example: Mercy killing is right when it is done for the right reasons.
Support: Now prove why you think this. Again, use examples from the novel to support your thinking in
addition to other relevant details or examples you may want to use. Stay focused proving your topic
sentence only.
Conclusion/Paragraph 4
Restate or reword your thesis.
Tie it all together. This is not a summary. You may need to remind your reader in one or two sentences
how you have shown them that they should agree with you. Avoid just a copy and paste - re word it.
Also don’t tell your reader that you showed them – avoid “as I have shown you…”
Clincher: try to end your paper with a short sentence that reinforces your argument. This is like an
attention-getter and can relate back to your introduction attention-getter. Leave your reader with
something to think about or a connection to the real world or what the reader should learn from your
supported opinion.
A five paragraph essay is a general rule of thumb but please don’t assume that all essays need to be 5
paragraphs – some will be longer, some shorter.