Academic Analytical Writing
Analytical (Interpretive) Assignment GuidelinesAll academic analytical writing contains an intellectual argument or thesis, evidence to support the position, and a critical examination of various parts of the topic as well as an analysis of the topic as a whole. Analytical (interpretive) writing also should answer the so what? what is the significance of this? questions. Other questions that may be relevant include: – Why did this happen? – How did this happen? – Whom does this affected? What are the short and long-term implications of this? You need to explain why your analysis is relevant and why should I, as a reader care?The goal of this assignment is to develop and utilize analytical thinking and writing. You want to push past the superficial and dig more deeply in to the underlying reasons that may explain what you observed.Review your descriptive essay. Using bold face type weave your analysis into your descriptive essay. You are trying to take apart a scene, interaction, event etc. to examine andbetter understand it, to excavate or clarify the meaning of what you have observed and consider why it is significant. Look for patterns, themes, or contradictions. Focus on logic and try to offer evidence or possible explanations to justify/support your analysis. Your tone should be exploratory, not definitive.There are many ways to shape your analysis, depending on your descriptive essay. Some of you included very specific interactions that you may choose to focus on and decipher. Others may choose to address particular behaviors of people you observed. For ex. many of you noted the prevalence of tourists posing and picture-taking. You might ponder the significance of this behavior. Does this alter the experience of seeing? Who is the intended audience for these images? How and why do these photos circulate?Review some of the assigned readings to generate ideas about themes and patterns. Your goal is to generate 2 pages of analysis (so that your descriptive + analytical essay is a total of 4 pages).
