The best analytical essays for students are anchored on a practical interpretation of given guidelines and a succinct presentation of ideas.
In an ordinary setup, any student from high school to higher levels of learning can write an essay, but the approach taken to present ideas and illustrate a clear understanding of the requirements makes the difference.
In this post, we will discuss six actionable steps for developing eye-catching analytical essays.
Here’s what you should expect;
- What is an Analytical Essay (The Definition)?
- General Structure of an Analytical Essay
- Difference Between Analytical and Descriptive Essay
- 6 Steps of Writing Eye-Caching Analytical Essays
- BONUS: Examples of Analytical Essays
With that in mind, let’s get into the details.
What is an Analytical Essay?
An analytical essay is a type of essay that extensively examines a scientific theory, text, or piece of art.
In academic writing, this type of essay can be described as one that draws conclusions or, in some situations, proves theories.
The bottom line is;
Analytical essays examine the subject of interest to break down themes while exploring other factors, such as symbolism and deeper meanings.
Take note that analytical essays are a representation of expository essays. For this reason, they do not express bias, persuasions, or even unfounded opinions.
What is the General Structure of an Analytical Essay?
Even though analytical essays are detailed, specific, and in some cases technical, they still conform to the conventional essay structure that is made up of;
- Introduction
- Body
- Conclusion
Briefly, the introduction should present the thesis statement and highlight what the essay will cover. Most importantly, it should show the writer’s argument in connection to the main topic.
The body should explain topic sentences separately and accompany them with supportive evidence. This evidence should also support the thesis.
Get this;
In the body section, each paragraph should relate to the main topic and support the thesis. However, the paragraphs should be anchored on different points of focus and have different evidence.
Lastly, the conclusion part should wrap up everything. To be specific, it should reiterate the thesis and previous points.
What is the Difference Between Analytical and Descriptive Essays?
From our assignment help services, we have encountered several instances when students presented their assignments for editing only for us to realize that their essays were more descriptive and less analytical.
For this reason, we would like to share the difference between the two.
Analytical essays focus on presenting the writer’s point of view based on arguments further supported by evidence.
On the other hand, descriptive essays [insert a link later to descriptive essay article] focus on giving more information about a specific topic. Still, they do not include an opinion or analyze the topic. In simple terms, descriptive essays will present the main points and organize the facts into paragraphs.
What Are the Steps for Writing Eye-Catching Analytical Essays?
Based on our vast experience handling different academic assignments [link to the research papers archive] and coming up with the best analytical essays for students, we recommend the following seven steps.
Step One: Analyze the Objective of the Essay
In this step, you should focus on understanding the essay’s objective. Brainstorm the available arguments or claims that relate to the main topic.
You can also collect data and evidence and evaluate available positions in connection to the topic.
Step Two: Select A Point of View
In this step, you should pick a central point of view. Anchor your essay to a specific thesis statement.
Avoid vague or obvious thesis statements.
Step Three: Write the Essay Outline
In this step, you should come up with the essay outline. The outline should act as a mind map that will guide you on what to write in the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion sections.
Step Four: Write the Analytical Essay Draft
Write an engaging introductory paragraph that ends with the thesis statement. The main focus of the introductory paragraph is to capture the reader’s interest. Consequently, starting the paragraph with a hook would be best.
Look;
A hook can be a rhetorical question or even a bold statement that triggers the reader’s interest.
The hook should also be supported by an outline of the questions that your analysis will address.
After writing your introductory paragraph and the thesis statement, draft the body paragraphs.
These paragraphs should focus on supporting your thesis statement by;
- Exploring background information
- Delving into details
- Discussing the contrasting viewpoints
Get this;
The number of body paragraphs may vary depending on the essay topic requirements, scope, or the number of valid arguments you gathered in step three.
Take note that each body paragraph should begin with a clear topic sentence. After drafting all body paragraphs, go ahead and write your conclusion.
Step Five: Review/ Edit the Draft
In this step, evaluate whether the analytical essay aligns with the topic. First and foremost, review your introduction in terms of the hook and thesis statement.
Secondly, review the body paragraphs to establish whether your arguments are more substantial, especially when it comes to acknowledging your point of view.
Thirdly, examine whether you have summarized your analysis correctly in the concluding paragraph. Make sure that you haven’t introduced new evidence in the paragraph.
Many students unknowingly introduce new concepts or evidence in the concluding paragraph while trying to make the paragraph more appealing or sophisticated. Be careful not to fall for this trap. Just keep everything simple.
Also, make sure that you restate your thesis statement in the paragraph.
Step Six: Proofread the Essay
Even after reviewing or editing your paragraph, there is a likelihood that the entire essay might have major mistakes ranging from grammar/spelling mistakes to issues with sentence structure.
Remember, the best analytical essays for students are derived from a clear presentation of arguments and minimal grammar or spelling errors.
Here’s a graphical representation of the Six Steps
BONUS: Examples of Analytical Essays
Example One:Rhetorical Analysis Essay: A Letter from a Birmingham Jail
Example Two:Analytical Review on Education Programs (Charter and Private Schools)
Conclusion
The best analytical essays for students are built on effective and clear presentations of verifiable arguments. They adhere to the six steps that we mentioned in this article. Remember, our expert writers can help you come up with a unique and eye-catching analytical essay; all you have to do is click here to get started.