Opening Discussion 1.Why do coaches rewatch games? They were there, why do they need to do this? 2.Why would someone compare different insurance company prices? 3.Why are car companies always experimenting with new and better models? 4.Why do advertising companies try their products out in test groups first? 5.Why do newcasters talk about decisions political figures make?

What do you think all of these questions have in common? All of these people are analyzing something!!!! How do you analyze in your life? Can you think of any examples?

ANALYTICAL THINKING AND WRITING What is analysis?

“Okay, so what is analysis anyway?” Dictionary.com says that analysis is the process as a method of studying the nature of something. So when you analyze you are thinking about how one idea affects another or taking something apart to see how each part works

“So….. What is analytical writing?” Its writing about something how one thing affects another or taking something a part. See how something works Identify the parts as a whole Determine how the parts relate to each other Determine its purpose or meaning

“Yeah, yeah, so what do you mean by that?” In analytical thinking and writing, its not the “whats and the hows” that reach the analytical level, it’s the why. Essentially what you are doing when you are writing analytically is explaining why something is the way it is.

What analytical writing is NOT! Analytical writing DOES NOT: Summarize information Transcribe information Recite what’s learned to the teacher or reader. This piece should show a fresh insight the YOU come up with!!!!

Different Approaches to Analytical Writing Compare/contrast Establish rankings Provide convincing reasons Determine a cause or problem Examine options Examine the cause or condition of a situation Interpret the effects of a condition of a situation. Examine a process– identify weaknesses or justify its strength Present a perspective on an issue (the key: why or for whom) Dissect an argument Interpret a piece of literature Evaluate the effects of a literary technique

“After I begin my research, what should I be doing? What am I looking for?” You should identify what your THESIS will be. ALL analytical papers must have a thesis! A thesis is a summary sentence that supports your opinions and ideas. It is the LAST sentence in your introductory paragraph. Three parts of an introductory paragraph: hook, background information/transition, thesis statement. (NOTE: We will learn how to write the introductory paragraph after you do your research and outline your paper.)

What is synthesis? Synthesis is the process of building up several different elements and combining them together into one finished product. For example, eggs, flour, sugar and cocoa can be synthesized together to form brownies. A synthesis essay is an analytical paper that combines several sources to support a position on an issue.

“Why does my paper need a thesis statement?” Without one your paper has no focus!!! It would be a big blurry mess!!!! It helps put your main ideas into one summary sentence. It better organizes and develops the opinion or argument of your essay. It provides your readers with a “guide” to your argument.

Analyzing Cars 2 Characters In the Cars clip, Mater is characterized as __________________________. One example of this characterization ______________________. Another example is_________________________. A third example is __________________________.

Compare/Contrast Create a new paragraph in which you compare/contrast the character of Mater to another cartoon character in which you are familiar. Give three examples of how they are similar or how they are different from each other. Create a THESIS statement and give three examples to support your thesis.

Let’s Practice Analyzing A Tough Situation. Here’s the Details… The United States Government Shut-Down It has been partially shut down since Oct. 1 st As a result, many national parks have been closed, federal workers furloughed, and the military is still reporting to work with the offer of back pay. The Center for Disease Control is operating with a limited staff, federally funded projects like road expansions and housing loans have been temporarily suspended The shutdown happened because Democrats and Republicans were unable to agree on a budget bill.

The Issue During this government shutdown, we had 5 American soldiers killed in Afghanistan. Typically, the family receives a “death benefit” payment of $30,000 within 36 hours of a death to cover funeral expenses and any travel arrangements that need to be made in order to receive the body at Dover Airport. The death benefit payments were not being made to these 5 families because of the government shutdown. ISSUE TO ANALYZE: Develop a plan on what could be done to help these 5 families in the absence of a death benefit payment. Identify at least two logical options and be prepared to explain why you feel these would actually HELP a family in a time of need.