How To Write A Good Analytical Essay: A Step-By-Step Guide

Writing an analytical essay means that you need to examine something in detail. As a rule, it is a piece of literature, movie, or some controversial question. Follow the guide below, and you will find that it is not as difficult as you may think.

1. Make sure you understand what you should do.

Analyzing has nothing to do with paraphrasing. What you are expected to do is to take the topic apart, get to the heart of the matter, and prove your ideas with evidence.

2. Choose an interesting topic.

If the topic hasn’t been assigned to you, choose one that appeals to you the most. For example, your favorite book, poem, or movie.

3. Reread the work several times.

Thorough reading provides a deeper understanding of the subject. So, do it as many times as you need. Pay special attention to the parts you don’t understand completely. Ask someone to explain them to you.

4. Collect more information.

Find as much information as you can about the author, the historical background, and the work itself.

5. Put down your ideas.

Many ideas will occur to you from time to time; write all of them down so that you can just open your notebook and use them in your essay.

6. Think of the thesis statement.

A thesis statement is your point of view, which you will defend in your essay.

7. Structure your analytical essay properly.

There are three main parts of the analytical essay: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. Each of them has its purpose and characteristics.

8. Create the introduction of your essay.

Its purpose is to draw attention to your paper. The first sentences should be devoted to information about your topic. The thesis goes next. Additionally, you need to provide direction sentences to show the way you will defend your ideas.

9. Write the body of your essay.

Usually, the body includes 3 paragraphs. Begin each paragraph with the topic sentence (the main idea). You must confirm your topic sentence by analyzing some parts of the text. Use quotes and paraphrasing from other materials to support your ideas.

10. Finish with the conclusion.

Here you will remind the readers of your thesis (but in different words), as well as summarize the conclusions that have been made and the way you have come to them. Be sure to express your points in a different way than in the body paragraphs. The conclusion should be sound and complete.

11. Ask your parents or friends to give some feedback.

Your essay is ready, but is it as perfect as you think? Ask another person to give you some constructive criticism.