Observation vs Analysis

What is an Observation An observation is the action or process of noticing details of something or someone in order to gain information. To be observant is to notice significant details. When we read, we observe character details, important scenes, and actions in the plot. When we write, we make observations about details in the reading we recognize as interesting and important.

What is critical analysis Critical analysis involves making a point or argument about the text that involves details from the text from which you extrapolate intention, meaning, and/or depth. Analysis requires that you ask critical questions such as “Why?” and “How come?” and “So what?” Critical analysis develops from good observations.

Observation  Analysis A good observation is one that reveals an important detail or characteristic about the text, which you’ve gleaned through careful reading. Analysis comes when you ask critical questions of that observation in order to develop an observation into a point.

Example of Observations Holden thought he was to blame for Allie's death, even though Allie's death was not his fault. There are two other major scenes where Holden is taking responsibility when he should not. The first is when he questions Stradlater about his date with Jane. He wants to take responsibility for keeping Jane's innocence. A similar scene is when Holden wants to take the responsibility of the "catcher in the rye." He wants to save all the children from adulthood. In multiple scenes, Holden wants to take responsibility for things that really are not his to take.

The observations: “Holden thought he was to blame for Allie's death, even though Allie's death was not his fault.” This is an observation because it takes details we know about Holden and makes a statement about those details based on what we’ve observed about his character. This is a solid observation.

Observation #2 “He wants to take responsibility for keeping Jane's innocence.” Why is this an observation?

Observation #3 “He wants to save all the children from adulthood.” What makes this an observation?

Analysis “In multiple scenes, Holden wants to take responsibility for things that really are not his to take.” How do we turn this final observation, which combines all the previous ones, into a point of analysis?

Critical Questions We ask, “WHY?” Why does Holden want to take responsibility for things that really are not his to take? How do we answer Why questions?

Turning Why into Analysis With “because” Holden wants to take responsibility for things that are really not his to take because…

Other notes The critical questions we ask are for our own heads. We ask ourselves, “Why?” “How?” “So what” in order to make sure we are actually making a point and not just an observation. Do not, as a result, ask rhetorical questions of your reader. Ask them yourself first, and get those “because” words in there!

More examples Observation or analysis?: Holden's odd emotions at the end of the novel are similar to several other times when he is feeling lonely. When Holden regrets his actions and his mistakes, such as getting kicked out of Pencey, he wants someone to talk to and spend time with. He often wants to call someone from home and repeatedly considers calling several people: Phoebe, Jane, or another friend or family member. Usually, he eventually calls nobody for various risks and reasons. These complicated feelings are prevalent when Holden misses some of his old companions, but never seems to be able to get in touch with them and regrets it.

Observation or Analysis? Answer? Observation! How can we fix it? Ask yourself “So What?” and “Why?” Is it easy to answer critical questions? No! But that’s good. If it’s hard to answer, then you’re probably on the right track. Critical analysis tackles complicated ideas. The answers shouldn’t come easily or they likely aren’t worth it.

Observation or Analysis? Holden unknowingly contributes to the maturation of his sister. He believes that he is keeping her in childhood until he sees inappropriate words on the school walls. He is enraged that someone would ever expose children to swear words, and he tries to erase the words from Phoebe’s environment. Ironically, Holden aggravates his sister so much that she has to use words that will stop Holden in his tracks. When Phoebe told Holden to shut up, “It sounded worse than swearing” (208). It sounded worse than if she had used the words on the walls. Holden’s attention was only attracted to Phoebe’s use of adult-like words, and they were used because of him.

Answer? Analysis! Why? Because it presents a topic sentence: “Holden unknowingly contributes to the maturation of his sister.”

And.. Followed by an observation: “He believes that he is keeping her in childhood until he sees inappropriate words on the school walls. He is enraged that someone would ever expose children to swear words, and he tries to erase the words from Phoebe’s environment.” And another: “Ironically, Holden aggravates his sister so much that she has to use words that will stop Holden in his tracks.”

Including… Textual support: “When Phoebe told Holden to shut up, ‘It sounded worse than swearing’ (208).”

And finally… Presents an analytical point: “It sounded worse than if she had used the words on the walls. Holden’s attention was only attracted to Phoebe’s use of adult-like words, and they were used because of him.” What do you suppose the “Why” question was that this student asked?

Conclusion Observations come from critical reading Critical analysis comes from good observations Critical analysis requires that you ask critical questions. Remember, a good paragraph contains a topic sentence, critical observations, textual support, and analysis.