Analytical Writing Your How-To Guide for AP

What is Analysis By definition, analysis is the process as a method of studying the nature of something or of determining its essential features and their relations. Simply put, it is looking closely at something and figuring out what is going on.

IT IS NOT SUMMARY!

Key Elements of Analysis There are three terms that you will need to become familiar with for this class: – Assertion – Commentary – Evidence These are the three key elements of good analysis, and it will be what I look for when I grade your writing.

Assertions Assertions are the key points that you are making in the paper. Your first assertion will be your thesis statement as it will lay out each major point discussed in the paper. Each body paragraph should begin with a concise assertion that will lay out what the paragraph will be about. Good assertions will eliminate problems with transitions from paragraph to paragraph.

Evidence This one is the easiest, and most forgotten. You must have proof to support any assertion you make in the paper. Your evidence can be in the form of summary or direct quotes. Good analysis utilizes both.

Evidence cont. Remember: when using quotes, only use relevant information that will help to get your point across. Using 15 lines of extra information does not make up for a lack of information in your analysis, nor does it fake out the reader into thinking that you have met the paper requirements.

Commentary Commentary is your explanation of your assertion—the analysis. It is the answer to “why is this important?” This should be the majority of the paragraph, and should not include any summary of the text

The Rhetorical Analysis Essay One of the essays that you will have to complete on the test will be a rhetorical analysis essay. This essay will consist of an introduction, with directions for the essay, as well as a passage that you will have to analyze.

For example:

Step 1—Read the prompt for background information Question 2 (Suggested time—40 minutes. This question counts one-third of the total essay section score.) Alfred M. Green delivered the following speech in Philadelphia in April 1861, the first month of the Civil War. African Americans were not yet permitted to join the Union army, but Green felt that they should strive to be admitted to the ranks and prepare to enlist. Read the speech carefully. Then write an essay in which you analyze the methods that Green uses to persuade his fellow African Americans to join the Union forces. Alfred M. Green—speaker, should reference him by name (Green) in the piece Speech—context of the format Philadelphia, April 1861, first month of war—look a place and timing and their implications “African Americans…enlist”—this gives you the purpose/topic of the speech

Step 2—Attack the Prompt Question 2 (Suggested time—40 minutes. This question counts one-third of the total essay section score.) Alfred M. Green delivered the following speech in Philadelphia in April 1861, the first month of the Civil War. African Americans were not yet permitted to join the Union army, but Green felt that they should strive to be admitted to the ranks and prepare to enlist. Read the speech carefully. Then write an essay in which you analyze the methods that Green uses to persuade his fellow African Americans to join the Union forces. Think about the methods that someone would use to persuade— logos, pathos, ethos, repetition, allusion, etc. before you begin. Note that his audience is African Americans—what perceptions will he have to battle in order to convince them to join the Union?

Step 3—Annotate Prompt and Map Your Answer Consider writing SOAPSTone on your prompt and look for the answers as you read. You will need to read actively—this means that you need to write ALL OVER THE PROMPT! Make note of things that you see as you go— literary devices, shifts in tone, etc.

Don’t worry! If you forget the name of a term it will be ok! This is not a quiz on terms, but, rather, a way for you to showcase that you can verbalize what is going on and why it is important. If you can’t remember anaphora, but you see that there is repetition, just call it REPETITON and move on to explaining its importance.

Practice Please read the prompt and annotate it. You will have 10 minutes to complete this.

Mapping your answer You want to make sure that you have no less than two devices and no more than three You want to choose rhetorical devices that you can speak to intelligently—if you see asyndenton, but you have no idea how it is used, DON’T USE IT! Make sure you choose devices that are doing what the prompt asks—there may be repetition, but it may not function as something that will answer the question

Mapping cont. Inclusive language Ethos Climax Use of “we,” “brethren,” and “us” “It is true, the brave deeds of our fathers, sworn and subscribed to by the immortal Washington of the Revolution of 1776, and by Jackson and others in the War of 1812, have failed to bring us into recognition as citizens, enjoying those rights so dearly bought by those noble and patriotic sires.” “ While we remember the past and regret that our present position in the country is not such as to create within us that burning zeal and enthusiasm for the field of battle which inspires other men in the full enjoyment of every civil and religious emolument, yet let us endeavor to hope for the future and improve the present auspicious moment for creating anew our claims upon the justice and honor of the Republic; and, above all, let not the honor and glory achieved by our fathers be blasted or sullied by a want of true heroism among their sons. “

Step 4—Constructing Your Answer Be sure that your assertion is near the beginning of your paragraph. This will help keep you on task and keep your ideas organized. Make sure that you have proof from the text to support any point that you are making about the piece—this can be a direct quote or a paraphrase. Good writing utilizes both!

Introduction Be sure to reference information from the prompt to set up the context of the paper for the reader. – Ex. In April 1861, Alfred Green addressed a group of African Americans on the importance of preparing to fight in the Civil War.

Thesis You want to be sure to cover the elements that you will address in the essay, but you don’t want to offer any analysis here. – Ex. In April 1861, Alfred Green addressed a group of African Americans on the importance of preparing to fight in the Civil War. Facing dissention from his audience over the fact that they were not allowed to join the military, Green appeals to the audience’s sense of Americanism and unity, and he creates an argument that builds in emotion in an effort to inspire the men.

Body paragraphs