What is an Analytical Essay!
Analytical essays are some of the most common essays assigned to scholars in learning institutions. They are characteristic in their content and mission. Instead of giving a description, a summary, or narrating facts in a situation, they examine and evaluate information provided. In doing this, the writer must break the subject into its different component parts and the effectively examine them. A critical analysis work should be focused on a specific development point where the main idea must be backed by lucid points and supporting knowledge. This requires adequate critical analysis skills that are developed over time. Notably, the more you write and analyze subjects, the better your analytical skills become.
Features of an Analytical Essay
An analytical essay should assume a particular style and shape. This is defined by various features that distinguish it from other types of essays. These features act as a guideline in writing the analytical essay and they include:
a) It should have a solid thesis statement and well-developed hook. The thesis statement should be precise and restricted to specific topic area while the hook should effectively capture the audience’s attention. They both should reflect an understanding of the target audience.
b) It should encompass a clear depiction of a rhetorical situation. In this, the analysis should be founded around a rhetorical situation about the subject in the document under analysis. The rhetorical situation should be developed in the introductory part of the analysis work.
c) The purpose of the analytical work should be explicit. This entails the viewpoint that the writer seeks to make the target audience assume. Regarding this, the writer should ensure that the target audience expectations are considered in essay development.
d) The analytical essay should have an appropriate structure characteristic of harmonious flow of ideas. This entails an essay with a proper introduction, substantive body, and an encompassing conclusion.
Steps in Writing an Analytical Essay
The process of writing a critical essay is important in the realization of the essay objectives. This process is defined by various steps. When well observed, these steps offer a good guideline towards writing a top-quality analytical essay. They include:
a) The first step involves understanding the content of the essay to be analyzed. This entails carefully reading the piece of work to be analyzed to understand the central ideas in the work.
b) Identifying a topic and brainstorming around it is the next step. This is key in developing relevant ideas essential in the analysis process. In this, you should gather as many ideas as possible.
c) Identifying the strongest ideas that border around opposing perspectives should follow. This is important in acquiring the various angles the analytical essay could be developed around.
d) Choosing a perspective and developing a thesis should follow. This requires the writer to select a certain line of thought to advance in the essay and then come up with the thesis statement for the same.
e) Selecting the areas to focus on in the essay is the last step. This entails identifying literary work areas to be utilized in the support of the essay thesis.
