Surely, you’ve been attacked by surprise essay ambushes from your English teacher, and one of your assailants was probably the Analytical Essay.
If you do not possess the weapon we call “know-how”, your essay will either turn out mid-tier, pretty bad, or horrible. To make your analytical essay resonate with your audience and make sense of the original story, pay attention to this Writing Workshop entry, because it was made especially for you!
First things first, read the text from start to finish. This should go unsaid, but I bring that up because you absolutely need to understand the text as much as you can. Try to find double meanings in sentences; who knows, an allusion to death or unrequited romance could be hidden somewhere, and that would make prime material for an essay like yours. Whether your assignment is prompt-based or free-thinking, try to re-read the text multiple times, look for the most important points as you pick apart the source. Try to write down the line, paragraph, stanza, and a vague summary beside it in your writing area as you go - start tracing the outline for the real deal so you don’t have to do much heavy thinking once the time comes.
For my demonstration, I will use the spectacular poem “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou to lay out the fundamentals. The theme my imaginary test question asks me to analyze is how self-love and defiance are represented in Ms. Angelou’s poem, and I will read through it carefully to form my thesis. To write an amazing hook for these kinds of essays, which is the point that convinces your audience to continue reading, make it direct, yet long enough to prove you are here to give a thoughtful, plausible view. Instead of writing, “The poem ‘Still I Rise’ by Maya Angelou talks about the speaker crushing gender and racial stereotypes with fiercely loving herself.”, try writing, “In ‘Still I Rise’, Maya Angelou uses rhetorical strategies and luxury imagery to defy the societal stereotypes of the time and prove they are ineffective against her self-worth.” It’s a stronger, more academic thesis, and it explicitly mentions the author’s techniques, just as the prompt mentions.
The essay should include a thesis and opening paragraph, a minimum of three body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph that restates the thesis and summarizes the main points while keeping its own essence. No matter how well structured it is, though, you need to make your text resonate with the readers. Use concrete examples for the body paragraphs, and separate your main points into the paragraphs. One will discuss Ms. Angelou’s rhetorical strategy, as it directly questions societal expectations; another will cover her imagery of diamonds, oil wells, and gold mines to portray the confidence with which she carries herself; and the last will discuss another important point found in the poem - the escalating, determined rhythm of the lines that demonstrates freedom and absolute security.
A common mistake in these essays is that most writers drop quotes into their paragraphs without analyzing them, thus not bridging evidence and thesis. Here’s a tip to avoid that! First, state your piece of text - but don’t forget to include where it is. Name any literary device it uses and explain why that specific line proves your desired evidence; connect every point you mention so your ideas flow successfully to your audience, and you gain credibility.
Just as you need to start with a bang, you need to end it like that too. To make your conclusion have the aforementioned “essence”, you should walk through the thesis again in a different phrasing - do not copy-paste the one you used already! Briefly show how the devices work together for the reader, like an encore, and end with a strong statement on why the poem’s message remains timeless and powerful. Here’s an example: “In conclusion, Maya Angelou’s ‘Still I Rise’ transcends its historical context through masterful poetic devices and unshakeable imagery. By composing rhetorical resistance with the raw, irreplaceable power of self-worth, Angelou creates a timeless anthem of resilience that continues to resonate with anyone facing oppression and discrimination.”
With all this in mind, you’re sure to leave an unforgettable impression and receive an equally unforgettable A! Happy writing, and don’t forget to take breaks and drink enough water. - Keziah G
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