Five Steps to Analysis

You can analyze a text by using your own interpretation or by applying a literary theory. By using analysis you will illustrate your ability to write an original, well-thought-out essay.

Understanding how to approach analysis is the first step to analyzing texts.

►Think Critically
►Ask questions
►Find necessary information
►Interpret and assess information
►Make and assess your own arguments
►Application Example

1. Think Critically

Approach all ideas with a critical eye by questioning your own ideas, beliefs, and what you read, see, and hear.

2. Ask questions

Ask questions that will lead to the exploration of a topic.

What is the writer’s agenda?
Why does the author hold these ideas and beliefs?
What other conditions may have influenced these ideas?
What reasons does the author offer to support his/her ideas?
What are the underlying or unstated assumptions of the writer?

3. Find necessary information

Find additional sources that present different ideas and points of view.

4. Interpret and assess information

Identify the perspective or interpretation of the author.
Assess that interpretation and examine its sources to find out what you can about its contexts. Why does the author hold these ideas and beliefs?

5. Make and assess your own arguments

Construct your own ideas and reach your own conclusions about a text, using evidence through quotations or other sources.
Question and assess your ideas.

Application Example
In order to demonstrate the differences between summarizing and analyzing I have provided two samples of a paper about William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. The first example summarizes, using no analytic techniques. The second example analyzes why specific events took place in Hamlet.

By pointing out the mistakes made in the summary example and the improvements made in the analysis example you will see how analysis can better your paper.

Kelly Stevens, 20 April 2004