“ Let’s Take a Closer Look” Writing Analytically

By Michelle Davis

SummaryIn the reading it talks about the importance of analyzing. In the reading it talks about the importance of analyzing. The process of analyzing is not just a technique that we The process of analyzing is not just a technique that we use to understand written text, but it is a fundamental use to understand written text, but it is a fundamental process that we all use in order to navigate through the “ process that we all use in order to navigate through the “ sea of information” we obtain everyday.sea of information” we obtain everyday.

- For example we analyze the type of clothing to - For example we analyze the type of clothing to wear, what type of gadgets/ phones to buy, and we also wear, what type of gadgets/ phones to buy, and we also analyze the people we are with and those we meet. analyze the people we are with and those we meet.

Continue of SummaryThere are four common types of analysis: rhetorical analysis, process analysis, There are four common types of analysis: rhetorical analysis, process analysis, casual analysis, and data analysiscasual analysis, and data analysis

Rhetorical analysis: is a type of analysis that focuses on written, visual , Rhetorical analysis: is a type of analysis that focuses on written, visual , and audio text, or a combination of all three elements. This type of and audio text, or a combination of all three elements. This type of analysis allows the audience to gain a better understanding to the analysis allows the audience to gain a better understanding to the message which the author, designer, or artist tries to convey. Rhetorical message which the author, designer, or artist tries to convey. Rhetorical Analysis does not only deal with the word choice of a written text, but Analysis does not only deal with the word choice of a written text, but also the structure, the size, or the image that is presented. ( For example also the structure, the size, or the image that is presented. ( For example analyzing articles, commercials, songs, and bill board advertisement) analyzing articles, commercials, songs, and bill board advertisement)

-Process analysis: analyzes the step by step process in some type of event or Process analysis: analyzes the step by step process in some type of event or action. ( for example analyzing the process of ice skating) action. ( for example analyzing the process of ice skating)

-Casual analysis: analyzes the cause of something. (ex. analyzing the causes of the Casual analysis: analyzes the cause of something. (ex. analyzing the causes of the Great Depression) Great Depression)

-Data analysis: analyzes information from resources such as bar graphs and charts. Data analysis: analyzes information from resources such as bar graphs and charts.

Rhetorical AnalysisWhen analyzing a piece of written , visual , or auditory text there When analyzing a piece of written , visual , or auditory text there are five common elements that you can look for: are five common elements that you can look for:

1.1.A question that prompts you to take a closer look A question that prompts you to take a closer look

2.2.Description of the subject your analyzing Description of the subject your analyzing

3.3.Evidence drawn from close examination of the subjectEvidence drawn from close examination of the subject

4.4.Insight gained from your analysisInsight gained from your analysis

5.5.Clear, precise languageClear, precise language

Questions that Prompts to take a closer lookQuestions that Prompts to take a closer look::

Every analysis should be driven with a question that does not need one right Every analysis should be driven with a question that does not need one right answer. answer.

For example: In a rhetorical analysis one may ask, “ How does the authors word For example: In a rhetorical analysis one may ask, “ How does the authors word choice influence the audience?” choice influence the audience?”

Description of the subject your analyzing:Description of the subject your analyzing:

Details are used to help those readers who may know little or nothing on your Details are used to help those readers who may know little or nothing on your subject. The amount of description you provide depends on your subject, the subject. The amount of description you provide depends on your subject, the audience, and your medium. Description can be used as a source of clarity. audience, and your medium. Description can be used as a source of clarity.

For example: Lunsford refers to a written piece by Christine Spines. Spines writes For example: Lunsford refers to a written piece by Christine Spines. Spines writes about the Twilight addiction of this one particular fan, and she provides detail on about the Twilight addiction of this one particular fan, and she provides detail on this addiction right after her introductory paragraph. this addiction right after her introductory paragraph.

- She “ became so enthralled by the block- buster series of young adult novels and movies that - She “ became so enthralled by the block- buster series of young adult novels and movies that she found herself staying up all night, re – reading juicy chapters and chatting about casting news she found herself staying up all night, re – reading juicy chapters and chatting about casting news and the are- they- or – aren’t they romance between the stars..” and the are- they- or – aren’t they romance between the stars..”

Evidence drawn from close examination of subjectEvidence drawn from close examination of subject

Examine the subject in detail and determine what are key elements within the Subject. Examine the subject in detail and determine what are key elements within the Subject.

Look for: Look for:

-Key patterns, repetition, imagery, shapes, colors, and any other detail that can possible help Key patterns, repetition, imagery, shapes, colors, and any other detail that can possible help determine the meaning of the analysis. determine the meaning of the analysis.

Insight Gained from EvidenceInsight Gained from Evidence

Information received from the subject will create a deeper understanding for the analysis and Information received from the subject will create a deeper understanding for the analysis and will ultimately lead to the thesis. will ultimately lead to the thesis.

Clear and Precise LanguageClear and Precise Language

-Explain your analysis easy enough for the audience to follow along with you findings -Explain your analysis easy enough for the audience to follow along with you findings

-Present a clear understanding of your analysisPresent a clear understanding of your analysis

-Use appropriate language that will best connect you to the particular audience you are writing Use appropriate language that will best connect you to the particular audience you are writing for. for.

Connection to Rhetorical Analysis

http://youtu.be/owGykVbfgUE

Things to pay attention to: Things to pay attention to:

- Words, images, and the sound- Words, images, and the sound

Questions1.1. How can you analyze advertisements, bill How can you analyze advertisements, bill

boards, or commercials? boards, or commercials?

2.2. Do you think you analyze new people you Do you think you analyze new people you meet, and if so in what ways? meet, and if so in what ways?