How to Write an A+ Analytical Essay (Easy Step by Step Guide)

Next Level Writing
21 Mar 202208:17
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThis video script provides a step-by-step guide to writing an analytical essay, covering its structure, paragraph breakdown, and an editing checklist. It uses 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' as an example to illustrate the process, focusing on the PEEL model for body paragraphs and emphasizing the importance of clear communication and adherence to the rubric.

Takeaways
  • 📚 An analytical essay is about sharing your position on a topic, inspired by ideas from the teacher or learned material.
  • 🔍 The basic structure of an analytical essay includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
  • 📝 The introduction should provide a roadmap for the reader, outlining the essay's content and the ideas to be shared.
  • 📘 An optional background and definitions paragraph can help clarify key concepts before the body paragraphs.
  • 🤔 The body paragraphs should focus on the points you wish to make, using the PEEL model (Point, Evidence, Example, Explanation, and Link).
  • 📉 The PEEL model helps in organizing the body paragraphs, ensuring clarity and ease of understanding for the reader.
  • 🔚 The conclusion ties everything together without introducing new information, summarizing the presented ideas.
  • 🔄 Rewording the position statement from the introduction is a key part of the conclusion, ensuring a smooth transition.
  • 📝 The editing checklist includes checking the rubric, fixing spelling and grammar, and avoiding repeated words.
  • 📋 The rubric is essential for ensuring the essay meets all criteria and includes everything specified by the teacher.
  • 👀 Asking someone to review your essay for spelling and grammar errors is a recommended strategy for improving formality and correctness.
  • 🔄 Scanning the essay for repeated words or phrases and varying them can enhance the writing and prevent monotony.
Q & A

  • What is the main purpose of an analytical essay?

    -The main purpose of an analytical essay is to share the writer's position on a particular subject or topic, which is usually inspired by ideas specified by the teacher or from learning that has occurred.

  • What are some examples of topics that might be given for an analytical essay?

    -Examples of topics include understanding peer pressure and its impact on teenagers, assessing the major reasons why athletes may take drugs, or analyzing the themes in a particular text, such as in the example given, 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone'.

  • Why is it important to communicate ideas clearly in an analytical essay?

    -It is important to communicate ideas clearly to ensure the reader understands the writer's position and the arguments presented in support of that position.

  • What is the basic structure of an analytical essay?

    -The basic structure of an analytical essay typically includes an introduction, several body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The introduction outlines the essay's main points, the body paragraphs present the arguments and evidence, and the conclusion summarizes the ideas presented.

  • What is the purpose of the introduction paragraph in an analytical essay?

    -The introduction paragraph provides a roadmap to the reader, outlining what the essay will be about and what ideas will be shared. It includes a hook, the topic, the writer's position, and the main ideas that will be discussed.

  • Can you provide an example of a hook used in an introduction paragraph?

    -The script does not provide a specific example of a hook, but a hook is typically an engaging sentence or two that grabs the reader's attention and introduces the topic of the essay.

  • What is the PEEL paragraph model mentioned in the script?

    -The PEEL paragraph model stands for Point, Evidence, Example, Explanation, and Link. It is a structure used to organize body paragraphs in an analytical essay, ensuring that each paragraph presents a clear argument supported by evidence and examples.

  • How does the PEEL model help in structuring a body paragraph?

    -The PEEL model helps by providing a clear framework for developing each body paragraph. It starts with a clear point, supports it with evidence, provides an example, explains the significance, and links it back to the overall argument or essay's main idea.

  • What is the role of the conclusion paragraph in an analytical essay?

    -The conclusion paragraph ties everything together, summarizing the ideas presented in the body paragraphs without introducing new information. It reiterates the writer's position and provides a final opinion on the topic.

  • What strategies are suggested in the script for reviewing and editing an analytical essay?

    -The script suggests three strategies: checking the rubric to ensure all criteria are met, reviewing for spelling and grammar errors, and scanning for repeated words or phrases to ensure variety in language use.

  • Why is it recommended to check the rubric after writing an essay?

    -Checking the rubric ensures that the essay meets all the criteria specified by the teacher and includes all the elements that will be assessed, which can help maximize the grade.

  • How can someone improve their essay by focusing on spelling and grammar?

    -By having someone trusted review the essay for spelling and grammar errors, the writer can ensure that the formal piece of writing is polished and free from basic mistakes that could detract from the overall quality.

  • What is the significance of avoiding repeated words or phrases in an essay?

    -Avoiding repetition enhances the readability and variety of the writing, preventing the essay from becoming monotonous and demonstrating the writer's command of language.

Outlines
00:00
📚 Analytical Essay Basics and Structure

This paragraph introduces the concept of analytical essays, emphasizing their role as a common assessment task across various subjects. It outlines a step-by-step guide to writing an analytical essay, highlighting the importance of clear communication of ideas. The video is structured into three sections: a review of analytical essays, a breakdown of paragraph and sentence structure, and an editing checklist. The example essay topic is analyzing themes in 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.' The paragraph also provides a basic structure for an analytical essay, suggesting three body paragraphs and detailing the content for each section.

05:01
📝 Writing the Analytical Essay: Paragraph Breakdown

This paragraph delves into the specifics of writing an analytical essay, focusing on the structure and content of each paragraph. It introduces the PEEL model (Point, Evidence, Example, Explanation, and Link) for constructing body paragraphs, which helps in clearly presenting arguments. The paragraph also discusses the optional background and definitions paragraph, explaining its purpose and providing guidelines for its content. The example from 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' is used to illustrate how the introduction, background, and body paragraphs are structured and written, with a focus on clarity and coherence.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Analytical Essay
An analytical essay is a type of academic writing that involves examining a topic or text closely and presenting a clear position on it. In the video, the main theme revolves around guiding viewers on how to write an analytical essay, using the example of analyzing themes in 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone'. The script emphasizes the importance of clear communication of ideas and the structure of such essays.
💡Position
In the context of an analytical essay, 'position' refers to the writer's stance or viewpoint on the topic being analyzed. The video script explains that the writer's position should be clear and inspired by ideas from the teacher or from learning. It is crucial for the reader to understand the writer's perspective, which is typically introduced in the essay's introduction and revisited in the conclusion.
💡Introduction
The introduction of an essay serves as a roadmap for the reader, outlining what the essay will cover and what ideas will be discussed. In the script, the introduction is broken down into a hook, topic, position, and the ideas to be shared. This sets the stage for the reader, providing a clear understanding of what to expect from the essay.
💡Background and Definitions
This optional section in an analytical essay provides necessary background information or defines specific terms that will be used throughout the essay. The script mentions that while this paragraph is optional, it can help ensure that the reader has a foundational understanding of key concepts before delving into the body paragraphs. In the 'Harry Potter' example, this paragraph is used to provide a brief summary of the story.
💡Body Paragraphs
Body paragraphs are the core of an analytical essay, where the writer focuses on the main points they wish to make. The script discusses the use of the PEEL model (Point, Evidence, Example, Explanation, and Link) to structure these paragraphs effectively. Each paragraph should be clear and easy to follow, helping the reader understand the writer's arguments.
💡PEEL Model
The PEEL model is a structured approach to writing body paragraphs in an analytical essay. It stands for Point, Evidence, Example, Explanation, and Link. The script uses this model to illustrate how to develop a clear and logical argument in each paragraph, with each part of the acronym representing a different element of the paragraph's structure.
💡Conclusion
The conclusion of an analytical essay ties everything together, summarizing the ideas presented in the body paragraphs without introducing new information. The script notes that the conclusion should restate the writer's position, summarize the main points, and end with a final opinion. It emphasizes that the conclusion should be similar to the introduction but with a focus on summarization.
💡Editing Checklist
An editing checklist is a set of strategies used to review and refine an essay after it has been written. The script outlines three strategies: checking the rubric, ensuring spelling and grammar are correct, and avoiding repetitive words. These steps help the writer ensure that their essay meets all the requirements and is polished before submission.
💡Rubric
A rubric is a set of criteria or standards used by teachers to evaluate students' work. In the context of the script, checking the rubric means ensuring that the essay meets all the specified criteria laid out by the teacher. This is crucial for maximizing grades and ensuring that the essay is complete and meets expectations.
💡Rewording
Rewording is the act of expressing something in a different way, often to make it clearer or more effective. In the script, rewording is discussed in relation to the conclusion, where the writer's position from the introduction is restated but using different words. This helps to reinforce the writer's argument and avoid repetition.
Highlights

Analytical essays are a common assessment task across various subjects.

This video provides a step-by-step guide to writing an analytical essay.

Engage with the video by liking and subscribing for more content.

The video is divided into three sections: an essay review, paragraph breakdown, and an editing checklist.

An analytical essay involves sharing your position on a subject, often inspired by teacher-specified ideas or learned material.

Clear communication of ideas is vital in an analytical essay.

The basic structure of an analytical essay includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

The introduction provides a roadmap to the reader, outlining the essay's content and ideas.

Background and definitions can be included in an optional paragraph to define key terms or provide context.

Body paragraphs focus on the main points, using the PEEL model (Point, Evidence, Example, Explanation, and Link).

The PEEL model is flexible and can vary in sentence length for each component.

The conclusion ties everything together without introducing new information.

The conclusion's structure is similar to the introduction but focuses on summarizing the body paragraphs.

Rewording the position statement in the conclusion is crucial for coherence.

An editing checklist includes checking the rubric, spelling and grammar, and avoiding repeated words.

The rubric is essential as it outlines the criteria the teacher will use to mark the essay.

Spelling and grammar are critical in formal writing like essays.

Avoiding repeated words can enhance the essay's readability and flow.

The video concludes with a reminder to like, subscribe, and strive for continuous improvement in writing.

Transcripts

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Analytical EssaysWriting GuideEssay StructureHarry PotterThemes AnalysisPEEL ModelIntroduction TipsBody ParagraphsConclusion TechniquesEditing ChecklistAcademic Writing