“Anchoring” in Academic Writing

Made up term? As far as I know, this is a term I’ve made up in relation to academic writing. This grew from a need to help students better organize academic papers. The need to manage multiple texts makes CLEAR organization more important than ever!

Think of our general structure Claim While this model is a paragraph, remember that it can be expanded for essay purposes! Point Evidence Analysis Point Evidence Analysis Point Evidence Analysis Conclusion

Tie to Anchoring… Our analysis of a text must be anchored TO that text / definition. We must establish that we FULLY UNDERSTAND the text / definition before we can prove that our analysis is VALID. Organizationally, it helps the reader to see us return to the anchor text before each explanation. Builds context for WHY we are saying what we’re saying!

1…Decipher the Prompt What are we asked to do? What exactly are we writing about? Are there any terms, jargon, words that we need to define? What are we comparing, contrasting, analyzing, discussing?

2…Decide what the ANCHOR is in our Response Usually those terms that need defining. The ONE text we are reading. The central text we are comparing back to.

3…Writing Must Refer Back to the Anchor Claim Point Evidence Establish an explanation about the ANCHOR Analysis Point Show how your analysis explains the anchor text. Evidence Analysis Repeat multiple times in a paragraph….or in an essay…or in an extended, really long paper Point Evidence Analysis Conclusion

4…Transitions and Showing While Writing Allow the reader to follow your logic Permit the reader to see when you are going back to anchor. Showing While Writing Makes your thinking (analysis) clear to someone who is not you!

Examples with Jargon Definitions Explain how Jack London uses foreshadowing in “To Build a Fire.” Must define…foreshadowing. Definition of foreshadowing will be anchor. Alternate between a method of foreshadowing and how that method shows up in the short story. Follow-up with how that example of foreshadowing matters.

Explain how the checks and balances system worked in the Watergate Scandal on the 1970s. Must define…checks and balances Definition of checks and balances will be anchor Must state an element of checks…show how it worked in Watergate…analysis…another element of Watergate….analysis…element of Watergate…analysis…etc.

Example with a Clear Anchor Discuss which songs or artists Betty Friedan would agree with or support, given your reading of The Feminine Mystique (by Betty Friedan)

Claim must be made that relates to the prompt. Claim of Agreement / Support Claim must be made that relates to the prompt. Give line from Feminine Mystique / Friedan (anchor) Line from other text that would be “supported” (comparison). Section of analysis that SHOWS why the song would be “supported” by Friedan. REPEAT as called for by assignment. Analysis Analysis Analysis

How does the battle of Normandy exemplify the advice given in The Art of War (by Sun Tzu)?

Claim made that sets up a response to the prompt. Claim of Battle Adhering to Art of War Principles Use of height Claim made that sets up a response to the prompt. Give line from Art of War(anchor) Line from other text that would be “supported” (comparison). Section of analysis that SHOWS why the comparison text supports the claim. REPEAT as called for by assignment. Analysis Analysis Analysis Use of surprise Analysis…REPEAT…

Example with Variable Anchor When there is a prompt that asks to compare, contrast, discuss, etc…. There might not be a definite ANCHOR TEXT. Oftentimes the LONGER text can serve as the anchor. Other times, the AUTHOR determines the anchor text based upon what he or she writes about FIRST But, reading and analyzing might help flesh out a more “central” text.

Examples Discuss the siblings’ relationships with each other as revealed by their experiences with snow. Using To Kill a Mockingbird section Using “Snow” poem Contrast the authors’ comments about effort. Using “Try” by P!nk Using “Please, Please, Please” by the Smiths

Examples Why are relationships between fathers and sons so important? Using “My Father’s Son” from Kinky Boots Using “Little Boy Be a Man” from Catch Me if You Can Using a selection from Death of a Salesman Using a clip from Kronk’s New Groove

“Anchoring” in Academic Writing