How to Write an Analytical Essay

 

 An analytical essay can be defined as a writer's reaction/response to a body of work through a critical lens. That is, one must set out to explain the significance of the text by persuading the reader of a certain point regarding the text. This point or claim the writer is trying to make is not a fact, but rather his/her opinion of the text. The writer must know definition of analytical essay in order to   explore the text in great depth. To do this effectively, one must use evidence from the text to explore all sides of his/her argument regarding the text and ultimately, support his/her claim. 

Format / Structure of the Analytical Essay 

The analytical essay is usually broken up into sections. An outline of these sections (not necessarily in this order) would usually include:

I. An abstract of the text which includes any historical background that is relevant to the understanding of the piece.

II. Using the collection of evidence gathered, the writer goes on to evaluate the text in terms of the argument he/she is making. He/she must persuade the reader of his/her point regarding the text through the interpretation of gathered evidence from the text.

III. An evaluation of the explicit and implicit assumptions the author of the original text makes and how these assumptions create other implied arguments within the text.

IV. An explanation of any inherent contradictions within the text. These contradictions can be caused by the author's unwarranted assumptions about his audience or assumptions about the world that are contradictory to that of the analyst. In both sections three and four, the writer should focus on the author's feeling toward his intended audience. The writer may also explore how the author attempts to emotionally appeal to his audience.

V. Conclusion.