Analysis Writing

an argument in which you study the parts

of something to understand how it works,
what it means, or why it might be
significant
writer uses a principle or definition on the
basis of which an object, an event, or a
behavior can be divided into parts and
examined
many different analyses, but not all are
equally valid or useful
writer must convince the reader

writers challenge is to convince readers

that
(1) analytical tool being applied is
legitimate and well matched to the
object being studied
(2) analytical tool is being used
systematically to divide the object into
parts and to make a coherent,
meaningful statement about these pars
and the object as a whole

An analysis is a two-part argument

PART 1 states and establishes the writers
agreement with a certain principle or
definition
Principle X (or definition X) is valuable.
PART 2 applies specific parts of the
principle or definition to the topic at hand
By applying principle (or definition) X, we

can understand (topic) as (conclusion

based on analysis)

2 readings
Reading #1 states the following:
Elements that make a narrative effective
include purpose, action, conflict, point of
view, key events, dialogue, and ethics
Reading #2 is Maya Angelous Mommas
Encounter
Discuss how elements are used effectively in
story. Remember to use direct text (quotes)
to support your ideas

Introduction
state a problem
provide motivation to write/read
introduce author whose work will provide
principles for analysis
provide background information
thesis statement
Body Paragraphs
analysis proceeds based upon
elements/principles provided in thesis
Conclusion
summary and conclusion provided
larger point is made

Dont only write a summary

most common error
to succeed, must apply a principle or
definition and reach a conclusion about the
object, event, or behavior being examined
summary is part of analysis
summarize object or activity being
examined
summarize principle or definition being
applied

Make Analysis Systematic

once a principle or definition is presented, it
should be thoroughly and systematically
applied

Answer the So What? Question

readers should say, I never thought of _____

this way.
Have you learned anything significant through
the analysis?
Pull together your related insights and explain
how it all adds up.

Attribute Sources Appropriately

work with only one source
apply insights from them to some object or
phenomenon you want to understand more
thoroughly
analysis derives mostly from YOUR application
of a principle or definition
take care to cite and quote as necessary

Introduction
Locate an Analytical Principle
summarize the key definition or principle
that forms the basis of the analysis
use 2 specific reading strategies to
identify principles and definitions in
source materials
Look for a sentence that makes a
general statement about the way
something works
Look for statements that take this form:

X can be defined as A, B, and C

in other words, find the articles thesis

Introduction
Formulate a thesis
Second part of argument
main idea of analytical paper
By applying principle (or definition) X, we can

understand (topic) as (conclusion based on

analysis).
fill in 1st blank with specific object, event, or
behavior you are examining
fill in 2nd blank with your conclusion about the
meaning or significance of this object, based on
insights you made during your analysis.

Body
These statements will help to ANALYZE
TOOLS STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS
What is the validity of this principle or
definition?
Are they accurate?
Are they well accepted?
Do you accept them?
What are the arguments used against them?
What are their limitations?

Conclusion
summary of argument and conclusion
provided
larger point is made

Genre
Audience-based appeals
Argument core
Design Elements
Images & Graphics

Where does this visual argument appear?

Is the visual argument primary or is it used to
support a verbal argument?
Is it a poster, flier/brochure, advocacy ad,
cartoon, or web page?
How does the type influence the visual argument?

Who is the audience?

What values and background knowledge of
the issue does the creator assume the
audience possesses?
Is the request for a specific course of action
(sign a petition, send money, vote, etc.) clear
and direct?
Logos

Ethos

Pathos

Logic of argument facts, statistics

Ethics of argument fair treatment of both sides,

consider repercussions

Passion behind argument taps into emotions

Is the claim and its supporting reasons clear?

Are they implicit (implied) or explicit (directly
stated)?
How much verbal text is used? Why?
If the argument is implicit, how is the
argument still readily apparent and clear to
the audienceor isnt it?

How are font sizes and styles, layout, and

color used in this argument to create a strong
impression?
Use of type table 9.1, pg. 176 (pg. 177 also
useful)
Which font style is used? Is its use effective?

Use of space or layout

Page size, paper type, white space, arrangement of
text, highlighting elements (bullets etc.), headings
pg. 178 useful

Use of color
Is its purpose decorative (visual appeal), functional
(indicate relationships), realistic (doc photo), or
aesthetic (creates a mood)?

What visual design and layout elements grab

the audiences attention? How are these
elements persuasive?
How are balance and harmony created
between the visual and verbal elements of the
argument?
How do verbal elements express the core of
the argument or summarize and comment on
the images?

How does image/graphic contribute to argument? Is

it used to provide evidence for claim or to illustrate a
main idea, evoke emotions, or enhance creators
credibility and authority?
Type of image/graphic
Distance from subject
Orientation of image and camera angle
Point of View
Use of color
Compositional special effects
Juxtaposition of images
Manipulation of images
Settings, furnishings, props
Characters, roles, actions
Presentation of images

Type of image/graphic

Distance from subject

Orientation of image and camera angle

Point of View

Is the image documentary-like, fiction-like, or

conceptual (symbolizing idea/theme)?
Close-up = increases image intensity, suggests
importance of subject

Front view = emphasizes photographed subject

Rear-view = emphasizes scene or setting
Low-angle = subject looks superior and powerful
High-angle = reduces size and therefore importance of
subject

How does this affect objectivity/subjectivity?

Artist outside scene shows objectivity
Artist inside scene shows subjectivity

Use of color

Is this choice due to restrictions of medium (newspapers

etc.)?
Are colors realistic or muted?
Have special filters been used?

Compositional special effects

Is the entire image clear and realistic?

Is any portion of it blurred?
Is it blended with other realistic or nonrealistic images?
Is the image an imitation of some other famous image
such as a classic painting?

Juxtaposition of images

Can suggest sequential or causal relationships

Can transfer the identity of a nearby image or
background to the subject (bath soap with a meadow)

Manipulation of images

Settings, furnishings, props

Are staged images made to appear real, natural,

documentary-like?
Are images altered with airbrushing?
Are images actuall composites of a number of
images?
Are images cropped for emphasis? What is left out?
Are images downsized or enlarged?

Is the photo or drawing an outdoor or indoor scene?

What is the background and foreground?
What furnishings and props help create the scene?
What social associations of class, race, and gender
are attached to these settings and props?

Characters, roles, actions

Presentation of images

Does the image/graphic tell a story?

Are the people in the scene models?
Are the models acting out real-life roles or are they
decorative (visual/sexual appeal)?
What are the facial expressions, gestures, and oses of the
people?
What are the spatial relationships of the figures? What
social relationships are implied by these poses and
positions?
Are images separated from each other in a larger
composition or connected to each other?
Are the images large in proportion to verbal text?
How are images labeled?
How does the text relate to the image?
Does the image illustrate the text?
Does the text explain or comment on the image?

Find an advertisement.
Post to your assigned BlackBoard discussion
group. (Do this ASAP. Like tonight)
Take notes about one of the visual arguments
posted in your discussion group (can be
yours or another group members post)
Class on Thursday will be in the Writing Lab

Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Group 4
Mei
Group 5
Group 6

Ron, Charlotte, Poupak, Jessica C.

Hannah, Ashleen, Natalie, Chyanne
Bill, Tony, Kayla, Cassie
Aleaha, Anthony, Jessica G., Anna

Eric, Talia, Jesse, Zach

Nicole, James, Taylor