Analytical Writing in 3 Simple Steps

Summary

This video script offers a straightforward guide to analytical writing, emphasizing the importance of focused attention on a single subject. It outlines the process of analysis through three key questions: 'What?', 'So what?', and 'How do you know?' The script uses the example of a pen to illustrate breaking down an object into its parts and explaining their roles. It encourages specificity in identifying details, explaining their significance, and validating one's analysis. The speaker also provides a real-life example of academic analysis, demonstrating how to effectively communicate an author's ethos.

Takeaways

• 🔍 Analysis is a common type of analytical writing that requires focused attention to detail rather than broad research.
• 📚 The goal of analysis is to explain how something works by breaking it down into its individual parts and explaining their roles.
• 🖊️ Analyzing a pen involves identifying each part and explaining how it contributes to the pen's purpose of writing.
• 🔑 The first step in analysis is to document the individual pieces of the object being analyzed, focusing on specific details.
• 🔍 When identifying details, look for patterns or significant details that contribute most to the object's overall purpose.
• 📝 The second step is to explain the significance of those details to the readers and how they work towards the object's purpose.
• 🤔 The 'so what' question is crucial as it delves into why the identified details matter in the context of the analysis.
• 📈 To show readers how you know your analysis is valid, explain the logical steps of your interpretation and thought process.
• 📑 In academic writing, it's important to show your work and thought process to validate your analysis for the readers.
• 🎓 Even complex analyses, like those in a PhD program, follow the same basic process of answering 'what', 'so what', and 'how do you know'.

Q & A

What is the main focus of analytical writing?

The main focus of analytical writing is to explain how something works by breaking it down into its individual parts and explaining the role each piece plays in contributing to the object's overall purpose.

What are the three key questions that guide the process of analysis?

The three key questions that guide the process of analysis are: 'What', 'So what', and 'How do you know'.

Why is focused attention to detail important in analytical writing?

Focused attention to detail is important in analytical writing because it allows for a deep and thoughtful examination of a single subject, which is necessary for breaking down and understanding the individual components and their significance.

How does the process of analysis differ from research writing?

The process of analysis differs from research writing in that it requires focused attention on a single subject to break it down and understand its parts, rather than collecting information from multiple sources.

What should be the goal when identifying details during analysis?

The goal when identifying details during analysis should be to focus on the most significant details that contribute to the overall purpose of the object being analyzed, and to be as specific as possible.

Why is it important to explain the significance of details in analytical writing?

It is important to explain the significance of details in analytical writing to show readers how those details work and contribute to the object's overall purpose, which helps to provide a more convincing and meaningful analysis.

How does one answer the 'So what' question in an analysis?

To answer the 'So what' question in an analysis, one should explain why the identified details matter in terms of the object's overall purpose and how they contribute to that purpose.

What does the 'How do you know' question require in an analytical paper?

The 'How do you know' question requires the analyst to show their readers the logical steps taken to interpret the details, explaining the thought process and providing evidence to support the analysis.

Why is it necessary to show the thought process in an analysis?

It is necessary to show the thought process in an analysis to make the implicit explicit for the readers, ensuring that they understand the reasoning behind the analysis and can follow the logic used to interpret the details.

Can you provide an example of how to answer the three key questions in an analytical paragraph?

An example of answering the three key questions in an analytical paragraph could be: 'What' by listing specific details from a text, 'So what' by describing how those details contribute to the creator's persona, and 'How do you know' by explaining the logical connection between the details and the persona.

How does the order of answering the three key questions affect the analytical writing?

The order of answering the three key questions does not necessarily affect the analytical writing as long as all the elements are present in the paragraph. Different orders can be used as long as they effectively convey the analysis.