What is an Analysis and how does it work? In this essay you will analyze

What does analysis mean? Analysis = From the Greek it literally means “to break up.” In plain English, it means to break something into parts, to examine those parts, and then come to a conclusion regarding those parts and how they constitute the whole. For example, you may examine various rhetorical strategies found in an article, discuss the effect or function of each, and then explain how the author used the strategies to convey his meaning.

We do it when... We discuss the merits of a rock concert, a movie, a music video, a book we are reading. We make claims, counterclaims, and value judgments. When we use terms like “It sucked.” or “The best book I ever read,” we are analyzing. When published book reviewers and media critics do it, they use more sophisticated language.

What are we looking for? “To read and write analytically means to examine any text, “literary” or “ordinary,” in order to determine both what its meanings, purposes, and effects are and to show how its parts work together to achieve those meanings, purposes, and effects.” - David Jolliffe, chief reader for AP Language

Pay attention to detail One common denominator of analysis is to pay close attention to detail. Analysis is a form of detective work that begins not with the views you already have, but with something you are seeking to understand.

Steps to take when analyzing DEFINE SIGNIFICANT PARTS AND HOW THEY’RE RELATED. What Is the structure of the piece? LOOK FOR PATTERNS OF REPETITION AND CONTRAST AND FOR ANOMALY MAKE THE IMPLICIT EXPLICIT (convert to direct statement meanings those that are suggested indirectly and inferred)

Function, Meaning, and Effect LOOK FOR THE FUNCTION, MEANING, AND ESPECIALLY EFFECT OF WHAT WAS DONE. -What the author did - How he or she did it - The effect of what he or she did.

What is the structure? Divide the subject into its defining parts, its main elements or ingredients, and Consider how these parts are related, both to each other and to the subject as a whole. To understand a subject, we need to get past our first generic, evaluative response to discover what the subject is “made of,” the particulars that contribute to the meaning of the whole.

Structure Dividing a text into its structural parts entails naming the text's components according to where they come in the composition: beginning, middle, and end; introduction, body paragraphs, conclusions; and so on. Dividing a text into its functional parts meaning naming the text's components according to what role they play in assisting the writer to accomplish a purpose with an audience. Analyzing a text's functional parts involves seeing how the parts invite the audience to participate in the construction of meaning--in other words, how arrangement creates meaning.

LOOK FOR PATTERNS Look for a pattern of repetition. In virtually all subjects repetition is a sign of emphasis. Look for contrasts. Repetition of the same or similar type of word or detail almost always causes you to notice contrasts (opposing words and details) as well.. Look for anomalies— things that seem unusual, that seem not to fit. An anomaly is a deviation from the normal order.

Make the implicit explicit Analytical writing makes explicit (what is directly stated) what is implicit (suggested but not directly stated) in both your subject and your own thinking. Not what do I think? but What does it say?

Rhetorical analysis To analyze the rhetoric of a piece is to determine how that piece persuades and positions its readers or viewers or listeners. Rhetoric analysis is an essential skill because it reveals how particular pieces of communication seek to enlist our support and shape our behavior.

Do not summarize only! When you write to analyze, you are writing to interpret. You are NOT summarizing. You are not talking about the literal meaning. A summary recounts or lists what is literally there and does not comment on it. Example of summary In Lord Chesterfield’s Letter to his son, he tells his son what he expects from him.

Summary Vs. Analysis Summary differs from analysis because the aim of summary is to recount— in effect, to reproduce someone else’s ideas. But summary and analysis are also related and usually operate together. A summary stops short of analysis because it presents what the author did but not the effect or your interpretation of how it functioned in the piece.

Interpretation is a theory, not a fact. Example of analysis: By referencing the fact that his son cannot "have a shilling in the world but from" him, Lord Chesterfield indirectly threatens his son. Chesterfield shifts from a friendly, guiding mentor to a bullying father who says “Listen to me.”

When you interpret, you... Look at what the author did to create meaning. This requires close attention to details. Look at the suggestive power of words. Look at structure Look for patterns of repetition Look for contrasts And then you make the implicit explicit

Remember do NOT merely LIST the rhetorical strategies!!! Ask yourself these questions:  What is the author doing?  How is the author doing it?  What is the function, meaning and effect of what s/he is doing?

Think of this analogy If someone asks you how to make chocolate chip cookies, giving them only a list of ingredients isn't an acceptable response.

What should I remember Turn to your partner and explain the most significant fact in this power point for you!