How To Write An Analytical Essay: What Is It?

Summary

This video introduces the process of writing an analytical essay, especially useful for Senior English students. It breaks down key concepts, such as understanding the purpose of an analytical essay, recognizing the importance of deconstructing a text, and identifying different types of essay questions. The video covers the structure of an analytical essay, comparing it to a 'burger' with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. It emphasizes the need for careful planning before writing and suggests reviewing sample questions to better understand how to approach analysis. The video sets the foundation for further lessons on essay writing.

Takeaways

• 😀 Understand that an analytical essay involves deeply analyzing a text to answer questions like 'how' or 'why', not just 'what'.
• 😀 Deconstructing a text means breaking it apart to understand its central idea and the techniques used by the author or creator.
• 😀 The purpose of analyzing a text is to understand how language and techniques create meaning.
• 😀 An essay is a formal piece of writing that presents a structured argument, backed by evidence from the text.
• 😀 The structure of an essay is like a burger: introduction (top bun), body paragraphs (filling), and conclusion (bottom bun).
• 😀 Your thesis is the central argument of your essay, and it should be supported by evidence from the text.
• 😀 Common analytical essay questions focus on techniques and how they link to a central idea or theme in the text.
• 😀 Analytical essay questions often start with keywords like 'how', 'to what extent', and 'show how'.
• 😀 Themes in texts can include concepts like love, peace, or war, and are important to connect with the techniques used.
• 😀 Planning is an essential first step before writing an essay—take the time to organize your thoughts and approach.
• 😀 The video series will guide you step-by-step in learning how to write an analytical essay and offer resources for revisiting concepts.

Q & A

What is the main goal of an analytical essay?

The main goal of an analytical essay is to deeply examine a text and analyze how and why it conveys meaning. It involves breaking down the text and identifying techniques used by the author or creator to elicit a response from the audience.

What does the term 'deconstructing' a text mean in the context of an analytical essay?

'Deconstructing' a text means breaking it down into its components and examining how each part contributes to the overall meaning. It involves identifying the central ideas, themes, and techniques used by the author or director.

How does an analytical essay differ from a simple summary?

An analytical essay goes beyond summarizing the text. It examines the deeper meaning behind the text, focusing on how the author uses various techniques to convey messages, rather than just recounting what happens.

What are some examples of the types of questions asked in analytical essays?

Questions in analytical essays often begin with words like 'how,' 'why,' or 'to what extent.' These types of questions prompt the writer to explore and explain the techniques and themes within the text.

Why is understanding the structure of an essay important?

Understanding the structure of an essay is crucial because it helps present the argument clearly and logically. The typical structure—introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion—ensures that the argument is well-organized and easy to follow.

What does the analogy of the 'burger' illustrate about essay writing?

The 'burger' analogy illustrates the basic structure of an essay. The introduction is the top bun (where you introduce your argument), the body paragraphs are the filling (where you present and support your argument), and the conclusion is the bottom bun (where you summarize your argument).

What is the significance of identifying techniques in an analytical essay?

Identifying techniques is essential in an analytical essay because it helps to understand how the author or director has crafted the text to create meaning or evoke specific reactions from the audience. Techniques include literary devices, narrative structures, and visual choices.

What is meant by 'central idea' or 'theme' in the context of an analytical essay?

The central idea or theme refers to the main message or concept that the text conveys. Themes like love, war, or peace are examples of central ideas that are explored through the techniques used in the text.

What is the importance of planning before writing an analytical essay?

Planning is important because it helps organize your thoughts, clarify your argument, and ensure that your essay is focused and structured. Without planning, it's easy to write a disorganized or unfocused essay.

What are some of the key takeaways from the first video in the series on writing an analytical essay?

The key takeaways from the first video are: understanding what an analytical essay is, knowing the structure of an essay (introduction, body, and conclusion), and recognizing the types of questions that typically appear in analytical essays. It also emphasizes the importance of deconstructing a text and identifying techniques and themes.