Analytical Writing: An Overview

Introduction

• Analytical writing is common in school assignments, such as rhetorical or literary analysis.
• It involves focused attention to detail rather than collecting information from various sources.
• Analysis boils down to answering three questions: What? So what? How do you know?

Understanding Analysis

• Goal of Analysis: Explain how something works by breaking it down into parts and explaining each part's role.
• Example: Analyzing a pen by breaking down its components (barrel, cap, nib, etc.) and explaining each piece's contribution to writing.

Steps in Analysis

Step 1: Identifying Individual Pieces

• Document individual components of the subject you are analyzing.
• Be specific and detailed in your observations.
• Look for patterns or unusual elements that highlight significant details.
• Focus on details that contribute to the subject's overall purpose.

Step 2: Explaining the Significance

• Go beyond identifying details; explain their significance and how they contribute to the object's overall purpose.
• Answer the "So what?" question to show why details matter.
• Example: Explaining how scientific language in a text prompts trust in the author.

Step 3: Justifying Your Analysis

• Show how you know your analysis is valid by explaining your thought process.
• Make your reasoning explicit to the reader.
• Example: Explaining the use of nursery rhyme rhythm in a poem to evoke nostalgia.

Real-Life Example

• An example of an analytical paragraph analyzing a "Physics Girl" video was discussed.
• Consists of specific details, their significance, and justification of the analysis.
• Demonstrates real academic analysis at a PhD level.

Flexibility in Analysis

• You can answer the analysis questions in different orders within your writing.

Conclusion

• Analysis requires a different skill set than research writing but is simple when broken down into these steps.
• Encouragement to engage with analytical writing and the offer to discuss other writing topics.

Closing Remarks

• Analysis requires patience and a keen eye for detail, focusing on making the implicit explicit.
• Happy analyzing!