How to Write an Analysis Paragraph

Knowing how to write an analysis paragraph makes writing analytical essays easier. An analysis paragraph is a paragraph that responds to analytical issues. A good analysis paragraph should support the claim or thesis statement that is presented at the end of an introductory paragraph of an analysis essay. It does this by providing evidence, which can be a quote, and explaining how the work and literary features enhance the impact or contribute to the success of the work as a whole piece.

Why you need to know how to write an analysis paragraph

Analysis paragraphs are at the core of research papers, history essays and other writing assignments that require you to demonstrate your ability to think critically and tell others what you are thinking about. Usually, most students are taught how to construct analysis paragraphs in junior high as well as high school. However, knowing how to construct them and practicing their construction will greatly help you in college and university.  Any well-paying job requires the employee to process information in an analytical manner.

Additionally, logic requires that ideas and their supporting evidence be conveyed in an analytical manner to convince readers. It is analytical paragraphs that make this presentation possible especially in research papers. Therefore, to write good research papers and other documents, you must know how analysis paragraphs should be written.

A step by step guide on how to write an analysis paragraph

Step 1: Develop a topic sentence for your analysis paragraph

This is a sentence that tells your readers what the paragraph that you are writing is about. It states the main idea of the analysis paragraph. This sentence should be the first one in your analysis paragraph. It should also connect to your thesis statement. Make sure that your topic sentence is not a mere statement of facts but a statement that other reasonable people can argue against or for. The topic sentence should also present an idea that you are passionate about and something that has a crucial meaning to you. Tell readers about something that you are confident that it deserves your expression through this sentence and make it concise.

Example

“The feeling of Mama is that the complications that she and Walter are facing are due to their differences but their differences are in fact caused by their common desire for pride.”

Step 2: Establish context and introduce evidence

The topic sentence should be followed by background information, explanation of the setting, the condition, motivations and characters. These are important because they orient readers to the analysis. Providing evidence after a topic sentence helps in supporting the stated main point in the topic sentence and creating context of the analysis. Some people think that examples or quotes that they use in supporting their thinking speak enough in an analysis. However, this is not true. Although you are thinking, your readers do not know what you are thinking about.

Therefore, your analysis paragraph should:

• Provide a context for the readers before presenting evidence. This should show who the example or quote involves, what is generally happening and when or where it is happening.
• Include details that you consider necessary in establishing a smooth flow of information and ideas in the analysis paragraph.

Step 3: Provide support or examples

After introducing your evidence, you should support it with examples. Choose the examples or support to include in your analysis paragraph wisely. For instance, you can choose a quote that expands on your topic sentence or the main point of the analysis paragraph while allowing for analysis or elaboration. Thus, you should pick a quote that you have something to say about. Additionally, avoid a quote that is simply a repetition of what you have already said or too complex to use in supporting your idea.

Step 4: Write the analysis

This is perhaps, the most important step of a guide on how to write an analysis paragraph. Here, you bring your ideas into play. This part is very important because it is where you express your thoughts and show how the quote or example that you have selected supports the main point that you expressed through the topic sentence.

While writing your analysis:

• Analyze the quote in a clear manner explaining the visible connection between the quote and the main point of the paragraph as expressed in the topic sentence. Do not assume that readers can see the connection.

Example

“The belief of Mama is that due to changes in times, Walter can no longer understand the challenges and difficulties endured by his parents in ensuring that their children have a good life. Consequently, the pride his father and mother had for their family no longer exists.

• Avoid simply restating the quote or using phrases like, “this quote indicates that” or “this quote proves that.”

The analysis section should be the largest in your analysis paragraph trying to prove or support your main point as stated in the topic sentence. It should include a detailed illustration and irrefutable facts with an aim of persuading the audience.

Step 5: Write a profound transitional or concluding sentence

This is the final sentence of your analysis paragraph. It should create a good impression in the readers. Consider your concluding sentence carefully just the way you consider the topic sentence. Make sure that your concluding sentence unveils a specific unseen aspect of the analysis. Avoid a simple restatement of your topic sentence and instead, take a unique approach.

Example

“Although Walter does not win the liquor store, they resolve their differences in the end. They reach an understanding that gives each tremendous pride though the pride of each of them takes a different form.

Checklist for a good analysis paragraph

A good analysis paragraph should have four major elements.

These are:

• A topic sentence: This is a clear answer or response to a topic statement or topic question.
• Evidence: This is one or two citations or quotations that support the answer that is presented through the topic sentence.
• Analysis: This comprises of between two to four sentences that explain the topic sentence and the evidence in relation to the stated topic question.
• Concluding sentence: This states the conclusion or the vital thing that is learnt or what comes out clearly in regards to the topic question.

In a properly organized analysis paragraph, these elements work together in creating a unified and coherent piece.

Bonus tips on how to write an analysis paragraph that serves its purpose effectively

While writing an analysis paragraph, think about it as a mini-essay whose aim is to prove a particular aspect of the thesis statement of your overall essay.

Therefore:

• Make sure that your analysis paragraph makes a debatable claim through the topic sentence.
• Provide a proof for the claim and show how the claim is supported by the evidence through your analysis.
• Conclude your analysis paragraph with an effective transition to give your argument a logical flow.

Example of an analysis paragraph

To understand how to write an analysis paragraph better, take a closer look at a well written analysis paragraph.

Here is such an analysis paragraph:

“Alexander the Great became a successful ruler for creating long lasting impacts on cultures which continue up to this day. The creation of the Hellenistic Society is a good example of the legacy of this ruler. Hellenistic society combined the Greek, Egyptian and Persian cultures. During the remarkable time of this society, members of the society were encouraged to develop different arts and pursue education formally. New art designs, science and math that impact on the modern society emerged that time. Were it not for the success of the new culture introduced at the time of Alexander the Great, his legacy would not be as groundbreaking and memorable as it is. By merging cultures and conquering several countries, this ruler has been credited for many achievements throughout history.”

Explanation

This sample of an analysis paragraph starts with a clear topic sentence, main point or thesis. It identifies the thesis or main point of the paragraph. The second sentence introduces the example by using a specific detail in history, “the Hellenistic society.” This sentence also uses the transition, “a good example” to enhance the logical flow of information. This is followed by the analysis of the main point and the provided example. Part of this analysis is the definition of the Hellenistic society and the explanation of the historical information or detail that follows.

The writer ends the analysis with the explanation of what makes the stated example or evidence important. The writer makes a clear connection of the example or evidence to the argument of the analysis paragraph. Finally, the author concludes the analysis paragraph with a sentence that sums up the thesis or main point of the analysis paragraph. The sentence reminds readers what the thesis statement or main point of the paragraph was and the example that has been used in the paragraph.

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Sources

http://www.astabowen.com/TheAnalyticalParagraph.htm

http://hharvey.edublogs.org/files/2011/01/analyticalparagraphforma-294k1v7.pdf

http://blogs.yis.ac.jp/kewt/romeo-and-juliet-how-to-write-an-analytical-paragraph/

http://cai.ucdavis.edu/uccp/paragraphing.html