Step by Step Guide to Crafting Your Analytical Essay

Through sweat, tears and the occasional blood - we toil over the assignment criteria of the different types of essays we are assigned. Writing isn't the hard part. It's the specifics that need to be addressed. Let's get right into the nitty-gritty.

Analytical Essay Writing: How to Start

Here is the perfect guide for a good analytical essay:

1. Understand the Assignment

  a. Read the prompt carefully.

  b. Clarify any doubts or questions about the requirements.

  c. Identify the main goal and objectives of the essay.

2. Choose a Topic

  a. Pick a subject that is interesting and has enough material for analysis.

  b. Ensure the topic aligns with the assignment requirements.

  c. Narrow down the topic to a manageable scope.

3. Conduct Research

  a. Gather relevant information from credible sources.

  b. Take notes and organize the collected data.

  c. Evaluate the reliability, accuracy, and relevance of the sources.

4. Develop a Thesis Statement

  a. Create a clear, concise, and debatable thesis.

  b. Ensure it conveys the main idea and the focus of your analysis.

  c. Place the thesis statement at the end of the introduction.

5. Create an Outline

  a. Organize your thoughts and ideas logically.

  b. Develop the main points that will support your thesis.

  c. Structure the outline with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

6. Write the Introduction

  a. Start with a hook to grab the reader’s attention.

  b. Provide background information on the topic.

  c. Introduce the thesis statement.

7. Draft Body Paragraphs

  a. Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence.

  b. Use evidence and examples to support your points.

  c. Analyze the evidence and explain how it supports your thesis.

  d. Maintain coherence and flow between the paragraphs.

8. Craft a Conclusion

  a. Restate the thesis statement.

  b. Summarize the main points of your essay.

  c. Provide a final thought or implication of your analysis.

9. Revise and Edit

  a. Review your essay for clarity, coherence, and consistency.

  b. Check for grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors.

  c. Seek feedback from peers or mentors and make necessary adjustments.

10. Finalize the Paper

  a. Ensure all the assignment requirements are met.

  b. Verify the formatting and citation style.

  c. Submit the paper before the deadline.

Following this analytical paper roadmap will help you structure your essay effectively, ensuring that your thoughts are organized, your arguments are supported, and your analysis is insightful. Keep in mind the importance of detailed research, thorough analysis, and careful revision in crafting a successful analytical essay.

What Is an Analytical Essay?

The analytical essay definition is as follows: having a narrow focus (as opposed to a summary which is a general explanation) on the specifics of a text or a subject that you are viewing. Essentially, you are targeting the smaller aspects of the work(s) to uncover the larger picture.

Now that we know that, we can move to the next question under the subtext of how to write an analytical essay: what is the analysis in writing?

A good analytical essay is a meticulous exploration of a specific topic that delves deep into its various components and uncovers the intricacies and underlying patterns inherent within it. It stands distinct in its objective to dissect and interpret, rather than persuade or opine, and it requires a balanced mix of critical thinking, analysis, and evidence-based exploration. The core of an analytical essay is the analytical argument, which is a carefully structured and well-substantiated assertion or series of assertions that reveal the multifaceted nature of the subject matter.

What is an Analytical Argument?

An analytical argument is based on your thesis which should obviously be extremely developed. This form of argument is the linchpin of the analytical essay, serving as the foundational element upon which the entire analysis is built, offering readers a lens through which they can perceive the depth and breadth of the topic being explored. The thesis statement is usually in the latter part of the introduction, but more on that later. The analysis paragraph is basically your body, and it should discuss one major point or idea with supporting evidence.

What is a Thesis Statement?

In an analytical essay or analytical research paper, a thesis statement is a concise summary of the main point or claim of the essay. It acts as an anchor, presenting the writer's perspective or interpretation of the subject matter, and guiding the readers through the analysis. This statement is typically placed at the end of the introduction and should be clear, focused, and debatable, allowing room for exploration and discussion.

Analytical Essay Topics and Types

Literary analysis is not the only type of essay in its family tree. Before deciding on a subject, you must know what kind of analysis you want to/need to do.

Below, our paper writing service experts will have a look at some of the available types and give them a short explanation.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay

A rhetorical analysis essay is a form of analytical writing where the author examines the effectiveness of communication. This type of essay breaks down the subject into its core components—ethos, pathos, and logos—to analyze how the author uses these elements to persuade the audience. The writer investigates the strategies the author employs, such as tone, style, and rhetoric, to convey their message and assesses the impact and success of these strategies in achieving the author’s purpose. Related: How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis Essay.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

1. Analyzing the rhetorical strategies used by Martin Luther King Jr. in his “I Have a Dream” speech.
2. Evaluation of the use of ethos, pathos, and logos in Jonathan Swift's “A Modest Proposal.”
3. Exploration of the rhetorical devices employed in Winston Churchill’s “We Shall Fight on the Beaches” speech.

Literary Analysis Essay

Analyzes and interprets a piece of literature, such as a poem, a novel, or a play. Literary analysis essays can focus on a specific element like the theme, character, or style. Related: How to Write a Literary Analysis Essay.

Literary Analysis Essay Topics

1. The symbolism in William Golding's "Lord of the Flies."
2. The impact of setting on the main character in Charlotte Brontë's "Jane Eyre."
3. Exploration of gender roles in Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice."

Character Analysis Essay

Examines a character’s personality, traits, motivations, and role within a narrative, offering insights into the character’s significance to the story. Related: How to Write a Character Analysis Essay.

Character Analysis Essay Topics

1. The transformation of Macbeth in Shakespeare's "Macbeth."
2. The resilience and adaptability of Katniss Everdeen in "The Hunger Games."
3. Analyzing the motivations of Iago in Shakespeare’s "Othello."

Process Analysis Essay:

Explains how something is done or how it occurs, detailing the steps of the process. It can cover topics ranging from recipes to scientific methods. Related: How to Write a Process Essay.

Process Analysis Essay Topics

1. The steps involved in brewing the perfect cup of coffee.
2. The process of cellular respiration and its importance to life.
3. How a bill becomes law in the legislative process.

Comparative Analysis Essay

Compares two or more subjects, analyzing their similarities and differences. It can focus on various topics, such as literary works, theories, or historical events.

Comparative Analysis Essay Topics

1. Comparing the democratic systems of the United States and Switzerland.
2. The similarities and differences between "1984" by George Orwell and "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley.
3. A comparative analysis of Renaissance art and Baroque art.

Causal Analysis Essay

A causal analysis essay is another type of analytical essay that investigates and identifies the cause and effect relationships. The writer explores why an event occurred or what the consequences of an event will be, providing a logical connection between the cause and effect. This type of essay is pivotal for understanding the underlying reasons behind occurrences and can be applied to a plethora of subjects, from societal phenomena to scientific processes. Usually used for additional information and statistics. Related: How to Write a Causal Analysis Essay.

Causal Analysis Essay Topics

1. The causes and effects of climate change on global ecosystems.
2. The impact of technology on human interaction and societal relationships.
3. The reasons behind the rise of fast-food consumption and its effects on public health.

You can see how the variation is endless; there are plenty more types that are simply not noteworthy. The fundamental principle, approach and outline stay the same. Now let us introduce an example of literary analysis. I will be comparing two literary works: “1984” by George Orwell and Muse's “Resistance”.

Analytical Essay Outline And Structure

For a strong analytical essay, think of an outline as a tool that encompasses all of the pre-writing stages. During your brainstorming, you should jot down notes about ideas, topics, and possible resources. If you need to do any research, you should archive all of the sources you think you will use for ease of access during the writing process. With that in mind, you can create a thesis, formulate your argument(s) and simply fill in the blanks when writing. An effective way to organize an outline, according to the essay authors from our custom essay writing service, is a graphic organizer, which can take the form of simple bullet points.

Here is an outline (analytical essay structure) from our analytical essay writer:

• Introduction
• Must include a hook statement.
• Narrowed down background information.
• Analytical Essay thesis statement - usually has an elaborate form of several intertwined factors and should preferably be controversial.
• Body Paragraphs
• Topic Sentence - an introduction of the main point preferably in one sentence.
• Analysis - Analysis of the provided evidence and its meaning.
• Evidence - This is the support pillar of any paragraph. Having a source or an actual quote to use as evidence is essential.
• Concluding Sentence - Usually a form of restatement and emphasis.
• Analytical Essay Conclusion
• Restating your thesis statement.
• Summarise key points.
• What you contributed within the essay's margins.

Analytical Essay Example

So, when it comes to implementing these strategies, the most important aspects of a piece would look like this within an analytical essay examples:

Analytical Essay Thesis: Muse's interpretation of Orwell's 1984 is clearly established in the song's lyrical themes, musical progression and implementation of the book's excerpts which underlines that Orwell's portrayal of the love story is not orchestrated out of love, but rather necessity to oppose the party's power.

This thesis is divided into three clear parts which the body paragraphs will delve into detail on with supporting evidence from the texts. The conclusion will just restate and put all of the described evidence into a historical or philosophical context.

When writing, it is essential to understand what your instructor will base their grade on. You can use that to your advantage to make sure that you have all of your bases covered.

• The conclusion and the introduction to an analytical essay should grab attention and provide meaningful context and translate it into a persuasive argument.
• The thesis is clear and contains a notable opinion.
• The choice of evidence is powerful and supports the provided argument fully.
• The commentary is extensive and goes beyond summary and the apparent comments. Contains creative approach and insights.
• The word choice and sentence structure are varied, sophisticated, and smooth.
• No mechanical (punctuation, syntax, etc.) errors.

Here is the full version of one of the analytical essay examples:

Exploring Symbolism in “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Introduction:

"The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is a seminal work of feminist literature that explores the psychological distress of a woman confined to a rest cure. This analytical essay will delve into the pervasive symbolism in the text, examining how the wallpaper itself represents the protagonist's entrapment and her subsequent descent into madness. Thesis Statement: In “The Yellow Wallpaper,” the wallpaper symbolizes the protagonist’s struggle against the oppressive structures of her time, reflecting her growing isolation and loss of autonomy.

Body Paragraph 1:

Topic Sentence: The wallpaper’s intricate pattern represents the complexity and the entanglement of societal expectations and restrictions imposed on the protagonist.

• Evidence and Analysis: The protagonist describes the wallpaper as having “no principle of design” with “sub-patterns in different shades.” This chaos mirrors the conflicting roles and expectations that confine her, contributing to her deteriorating mental state.
• Connection to Thesis: The bewildering design of the wallpaper symbolizes the societal constraints that entangle and suffocate the protagonist, reflecting her internal turmoil and fight against subjugation.

Body Paragraph 2:

Topic Sentence: The color yellow of the wallpaper symbolizes the protagonist’s sickness, both physically and mentally, exacerbated by her oppressive surroundings.

• Evidence and Analysis: The protagonist is repulsed by the “sickly” and “unclean” yellow, a visual representation of her deteriorating health and sanity. The color yellow traditionally symbolizes illness and decay, linking the wallpaper directly to her worsening condition.
• Connection to Thesis: The color choice is emblematic of the protagonist’s struggle, painting a vivid picture of her psychological and physical decline, trapped within societal and domestic bounds.

Body Paragraph 3:

Topic Sentence: The woman trapped behind the wallpaper represents the protagonist’s suppressed self, striving to break free from societal confines.

• Evidence and Analysis: The protagonist sees a woman “creeping” behind the chaotic patterns, symbolizing her own trapped existence and desire for freedom. The creeping woman becomes more prominent as the protagonist’s sanity wanes, illustrating her escalating fight for autonomy.
• Connection to Thesis: The trapped woman is a metaphorical representation of the protagonist’s subjugation and her growing desperation to escape and assert her identity, underlining the theme of individualism against oppression.

Conclusion:

In “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, the wallpaper symbolizes the intricate matrix of societal oppression, the protagonist’s deteriorating mental and physical health, and her fight for autonomy. The chaotic patterns, sickly yellow color, and the creeping woman behind it are symbolic representations of her entrapment, illness, and suppressed identity. Restated Thesis: Through detailed symbolism, the text illustrates the protagonist's escalating struggle against the repressive structures of her time, depicting her isolation and eventual descent into madness. This symbolism serves as a potent commentary on the ramifications of societal and domestic confinement on women’s mental health and autonomy, echoing the broader feminist themes of the work. 

What You Can Do After Writing

Proofreading is the most important part of the post writing process. Since you probably did not have to make a very detailed and elaborate piece, it will only take a few minutes to skim through what you wrote and make sure that there are no errors. The essay that you wrote must have clarity in its structure, formatting and relationship between each part of the paper.

It is also immensely helpful to get someone to peer review your work. The arguments you presented may make sense to you, but they do not necessarily translate well to others. While proofreading, the other person makes sure that the thesis fits the arguments exactly the way they are presented. If there are deviations, you need to cater the thesis to the provided evidence. Make sure that they can help with how to conclude an analytical essay based on their experience with your paper. If you have any troubles with this part of writing, you can hire a writer at our analytical essay writing service.

For formatting help, you can refer to the link for help with referencing. It is always nice to provide the information you used very blatantly so it can be checked easily.

Proofreading is the most important part of the post-writing process. Since you probably did not have to make a very detailed and elaborate piece, it will only take a few minutes to skim through what you wrote and make sure that there are no errors. The essay that you wrote must have clarity in its structure, formatting and relationship between each part of the paper.

It is also immensely helpful to get someone to peer review your work. The arguments you presented may make sense to you, but they do not necessarily translate well to others. While proofreading, the other person makes sure that the thesis fits the arguments exactly the way they are presented. If there are deviations, you need to cater the thesis to the provided evidence. Make sure that they can help with how to conclude an analytical essay based on their experience with your paper. If you have any troubles with this part of writing, you can hire a writer at our analytical essay writing service

For formatting help, you can refer to the link for help with referencing. It is always nice to provide the information you used very blatantly so it can be checked easily.

Additional Tips and Tricks

1. Develop a Clear Thesis
  - Your thesis is the central argument, so it should be clear, concise, and debatable. Avoid vague or overly broad statements.
  - Continually refine your thesis as you delve deeper into your research and develop your ideas.

2. Stay Objective
  - Maintain an objective tone and avoid inserting your personal opinions or emotions into the analysis unless the assignment explicitly allows for it.
  - Focus on presenting evidence and analysis based on the text or subject matter.

3. Use Textual Evidence
  - Support your analysis with relevant quotes, examples, and details from the text or subject you are analyzing.
  - Ensure your evidence directly supports your thesis and analysis, and always explain the significance of the evidence you provide.

4. Organize Your Essay Well
  - A well-structured essay with clear and logical transitions between ideas will be more convincing and easy to follow.
  - Each paragraph should focus on a single idea or aspect of your analysis and should contribute to your overall argument.

5. Be Concise and Clear
  - Avoid unnecessary jargon, verbosity, or overly complex sentences.
  - Be precise and clear in expressing your ideas, making your essay more comprehensible and engaging.

6. Revise, Revise, Revise
  - Don’t underestimate the importance of revision. Revising your essay helps in refining your argument, clarifying ideas, and eliminating errors.
  - Seek feedback from peers, tutors, or mentors and be open to making changes to improve your essay.

7. Use a Variety of Sources
  - Diversify your sources to have a multifaceted understanding of your subject. Use academic journals, books, reputable websites, and other credible sources.
  - Evaluate the credibility and reliability of your sources before using them in your essay.

8. Avoid Summary
  - Focus on analysis rather than summary. While some summary may be necessary for context, the main emphasis should be on analyzing the elements of the text or subject.
  - Continually ask “how” and “why” to delve deeper into the analysis and avoid mere description.

9. End Strongly
  - Conclude your essay by succinctly restating your thesis and summarizing your main points.
  - Leave the reader with a final thought or implication of your analysis to make your essay memorable.

10. Formatting and Style Guide
   - Adhere to the formatting and citation guidelines provided in the assignment or by your institution.
   - Consistency in formatting and citation is crucial for maintaining the credibility and readability of your essay.

By adhering to these tips and tricks, you can enhance the quality, clarity, and depth of your analytical essay, making it a compelling and insightful exploration of your chosen subject.

Still Need Help?

We understand that a complicated essay based on analysis takes a lot of work. You can order essay writing services from our team of professional writers and let them handle the task. Other essay help includes proofreading and custom writings. You have the ability to chat live with the writer of your choice, so feel free to contact our essay writing service.