How to WriteHow to Writea Critical Analysisa Critical Analysis

EssayEssayin Four Easy Stepsin Four Easy Steps

1. Theme2. Thesis3. Outline4. Begin first draft

Step 1Step 1

•ALL ROADS LEAD TO THEME.

ThemeTheme

• Most high school critical analysis essays explore a theme.

• All themes are the product of a text’s various resolutions.

• Use a theme to develop your thesis and guide your argument.

ThemeTheme

• Definition of theme:– A statement about the text’s central or dominating

idea; the “message” implicit in a work. – The theme is seldom stated directly.– It is an abstract concept indirectly expressed through

recurrent images, actions, characters, and symbols.– It is not the subject or the conflict, but what the

author/text expresses ABOUT the subject and conflict.

– Theme is an idea that is always expressed as a complete sentence.

ThemeTheme

– Look for interesting contrasts, motifs/patterns, or comparisons

– Is there something interesting, surprising, or curious about the topic/work that you would like to explore further?

– Do you encounter ideas that make you wonder, “why”?

How can I find a theme?How can I find a theme?

• 1. Look at how a character or situation begins. Look at how that character or situation ends. What has happened and why?

• 2. Examine the conflicts and their resolutions. What happens and why?

3. Identify symbols, patterns, and motifs.

Step 2: From Theme to ThesisStep 2: From Theme to Thesis

• Once you have selected a theme, you are now ready to develop your thesis statement.

• Ask yourself the following questions:

• How is this theme proven through the characters and situations?

• What do I care about and want to explore?

Writing the ThesisWriting the Thesis

• Your thesis is a declarative statement that argues a position. It cannot be a question.

• It is the most provocative, insightful statement that you can prove using the text.

Writing the ThesisWriting the Thesis• For pre-AP, the thesis may be divided. AP

must write an implied thesis, not a divided thesis (hint: no semi-colons).

• Cannot prove a negative (do not say “not” in the thesis).

• Thesis sentence controls and shapes the paper.

Writing the ThesisWriting the Thesis• Divided: Scout’s transformation from

callow youth to maturing adolescent results from the influences of Calpurnia, Miss Maudie, and Aunt Alexandra.

• Implied: Scout’s transformation from callow youth to maturing adolescent results from the influences of the adult women in her life.

Writing the ThesisWriting the Thesis• A strong thesis is provocative and

insightful.

• A strong thesis takes a stand which can be argued using specific evidence found in the text.

• A strong thesis is specific and focused, and uses powerful verbs and adjectives.

Writing the ThesisWriting the Thesis

• Is your thesis focused?– It MUST specifically tell what you will be

proving. – It must NOT ask questions or offer “what if”

statements.– It must NOT use first person. – It must NOT make vague references: “In this

time period,” “many important aspects,” “changed and developed,” “similarities and differences,” “many characters,” “throughout the novel” and other broad statements that really say very little.

Writing the ThesisWriting the Thesis

• Is your thesis too broad? Make your thesis more focused.

– Avoid such sweeping words such as “all,” “every,” “always,” and “none.”

– Be specific. In one sentence, what are you proving?

Writing the ThesisWriting the Thesis

• Do you give your thesis a focus that will allow for plenty of commentary/analysis?

• Does your thesis have an angle or address the question, “To what purpose?”

• Does your thesis pass the “So what?” test?• Does your thesis take a position that can be

analyzed?• Is your thesis merely plot? A plot thesis does

not allow for commentary/analysis. This paper will fail.

Writing the ThesisWriting the Thesis

• Do not write a thesis that offers no opposition:

– Romeo and Juliet are star-crossed lovers who die.

– Notice how this thesis does not answer the “So what?” question.

Writing the ThesisWriting the Thesis

• Read your thesis aloud:

• Is your thesis articulate, or is it awkward and unclear?

• Does it make sense? • Remember, you must prove everything presented

in your thesis.

Writing the ThesisWriting the Thesis

• Is your thesis in active voice?

• Avoid “to be” verbs.

• DO use strong verbs and adjectives.

• DO use a formal tone.

• Do NOT be cute or trite.

• (For our purposes) The thesis must be the last sentence of the introductory paragraph.

Writing the ThesisWriting the Thesis

• Does the thesis make a connection with the text?– Always ask yourself:

• “What am I trying to prove?”• “How can I prove it?”• “What am I trying to say?”• “So?” “What’s my point?”• “Did I say something significant, or do I just repeat

the plot?”

Step 3: OutlineStep 3: Outline• Introduction/thesis

• I. Idea a. textual detailb. textual detail

• II. Ideaa. textual detailb. textual detail

• III. Idea a. textual detail

b. textual detail• IV. Idea, etc. . .

• Conclusion

Step 4 :Writing the PaperStep 4 :Writing the Paper

• (Transition) Topic sentence

• Context

• Textual detail

• Commentary

• Transition / context

• Textual detail

• Commentary

Writing the Paper (Topic Sentences)Writing the Paper (Topic Sentences)

• A topic sentence should control your paragraph like your thesis controls your paper.

• Each topic sentence should focus on one dominant idea to support your thesis.

• Topic sentences must contain a general element of plot and an element of analysis that aligns with the thesis.

• Do not use quotes in your topic sentences.

Writing the PaperWriting the Paper

• How will I know if my thesis isn’t working?

– You can’t find quotes to support your thesis.– You can’t offer insightful interpretation of the

quotes.– When you ask yourself, “What am I trying to

say?” you don’t have the answer.

Writing the PaperWriting the Paper

• Remember:– When you are writing, notice WHAT you are

writing about.– No tangents.– No irrelevant information.– Match the thesis to your writing. Revise

writing and thesis as needed.

Writing the PaperWriting the Paper

• Every paragraph is designed to offer insight, and to develop and prove the thesis.

• Every paragraph must build on the previous paragraph.

• Your writing must flow logically from one idea to

the next, one paragraph to the next.

Writing the PaperWriting the Paper

• REMEMBER: the thesis should determine how you organize your ideas and present your argument.

• If your thesis is vague and unfocused, your writing will be vague and unfocused.

• If you don’t know what you are saying, your writing will be confusing and unorganized.

Writing the PaperWriting the Paper

• Continually ask yourself these questions:– What am I trying to say?

• Helpful when developing the thesis and topic sentences, and also when writing commentary.

– How do I know?• Let your thesis/ topic sentence guide your selection of textual

detail. Use direct quotes, summary, paraphrase from the text.• Concrete details; choose quotes that prove your ideas.

– So? What does this concrete detail mean? What does this quote reveal and why is it significant?

• Commentary/interpretation is where you convince the reader how or in what way the textual detail proves your thesis.

Writing the PaperWriting the Paper

• Remember, the body paragraphs will logically and decisively prove your thesis.– Your thesis, even your tentative thesis, is as

specific and focused as you can make it.– You must PROVE what you are saying in your

thesis.– You must SHOW that you understand the text

and the theme(s).

Writing the PaperWriting the Paper

• Writing is a process in which you are constantly fitting the writing to the thesis, and the thesis to the writing.

• Work on the writing, and print a copy.– Leave the paper alone for a period of time

(half an hour, overnight). Let your writing “simmer.”

Writing the PaperWriting the Paper

Come back to your paper and read it aloud.• Read what exists on the paper, not what

you meant to say.• As you read your paper, note what works

and what doesn’t work.– What makes sense?– What is supported by the text?– Are there better examples? – Do you offer adequate proof? (textual detail)

Writing the PaperWriting the Paper

• How strong is the commentary?• Are you offering interpretation, or are you

just restating the plot?• Consider the opposition. What statements

do you make that could be challenged? Are there other passages in the text that contradict with you say?

• Be faithful to the text.• Revise. Go back to the text for ideas.

Writing the PaperWriting the Paper

• Repeat the process many times.• Add depth to your paper by making your

commentary more insightful and penetrating.• Sometimes it helps to discuss the quote aloud.

– Listen for key words or phrases on which you can build your analysis.

– Keep asking, “Why is this quote important?”– “What does that quote mean?”

Writing the PaperWriting the Paper• When you feel the writing is as good as you can

make it, then focus on editing.– You need to revise, rewrite, reorganize, add and take

out sentences, find better/stronger quotes. Add stronger commentary.

– Write for as long as you feel you are making progress, then stop for a time.

– Let the paper “simmer.”– Come back and read the paper aloud. Be the reader,

not the writer.– Make necessary changes: clarify, reorganize, add

depth.– Do not write one rough draft and then edit, thinking

you are done. You are not accomplished writers.

Introductions and ConclusionsIntroductions and Conclusions

• The introductory paragraph must function as a “bookend” to the concluding paragraph.

• Do not labor over the introduction. Get into the body of your paper as quickly as possible. After you have shaped your paper, then you are better prepared to write a focused introduction.

• However, before you work on the introduction, write a strong conclusion.

Introductions and ConclusionsIntroductions and Conclusions

• Writing a conclusion:– After writing all body paragraphs, read the thesis and

the entire paper aloud.– What judgments logically flow from the body?– Write the conclusion based on what you have

developed and proven.– You can offer summaries of key points that bolster

your judgment, but do not merely summarize your paper.

– Do not offer new information, only insights and judgments.

– You do not have to repeat or rephrase the thesis. Let the topic sentence for the conclusion flow from the final body paragraph.

Introductions and ConclusionsIntroductions and Conclusions

• Remember, the conclusion stands as the logical outcome of what you have proven in the body paragraphs.

• You have the right to make bold statements because the body paragraphs support these judgments.

Introductions and ConclusionsIntroductions and Conclusions

• Before writing or revising the introduction, review the thesis, body paragraphs, and conclusion as the reader, not the writer.

• Notice where the paper is heading and what strong judgments have been made.

• Begin your introduction knowing where the paper is heading.

Introductions and ConclusionsIntroductions and Conclusions

• Write an introduction that captures the reader’s attention and leads to the thesis.– Introduction should establish certain

expectations that will be delivered in the body paragraphs and in the conclusion.

– No “cute” anecdotes, please!– Do not begin with such broad, general

statements as “All people search for love” or “Every century celebrates heroes,” or the beloved “Since the beginning of time…”

– ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

• Finally, after letting the paper simmer, read the entire paper aloud again.– Revise and strengthen as needed.– Change vague language to powerful

language.– Make sure that the paper is organized

effectively; each body paragraph builds on the previous paragraph.

– Find those mistakes you have overlooked (grammar, mechanics, “dumb” mistakes).

• Remember the questions:– “What am I trying to say?”– “How do I know?”– “What does the quote mean? What about the

quote? So?”– Relate all paragraphs to your thesis. PROVE

your thesis.– “Am I addressing the prompt?”– “Am I proving my thesis?”

• The final, final step is again to focus on grammar, mechanics, and MLA format.

• Search one more time for “dumb” mistakes.• Also, check one more time to make sure you

have fulfilled all the requirements of the assignment. If you do not fulfill the requirements, your paper will NOT pass.

• ALWAYS save your work. ALWAYS print copies for Murphy!

• To be continued…