A Guide On Analytical Essay Outline and Writing Analytical Essays

Hello and welcome back to weekly academic guide! This week, I would be tackling about writing an analytical essay.

I’ve got you covered! I will be talking about the following:

• Definition of an analytical essay
• “Voice” developing
• Analytical essay outline and worksheet
• Literary analytical essay
• Tips

I will also be discussing content catering to high schoolers! Our agenda is long, but I’m here to help. Ready? Grab a bowl of popcorn and enjoy the guide.

As always, let us play the interrogation game. Reflect on these questions:

1. What do you think of analytical essays? Do you dread them?
2. Do you lack confidence in developing your “voice”? Are you having difficulty explaining your points clearly?

If you can relate, then high five! You’re not the only one! Let me tell you a story.

I dread analytical essays. I keep telling myself that I’m not good at it. I lost confidence in projecting my “voice” to my readers.

How did I overcome it? By sheer willpower! I slowly developed my thoughts by applying what I have learned from other lectures. Your “voice” is important in an analytical essay.

Before learning to project your “voice”, Let us first define what an analytical essay is.

What Is Analytical Essay?

Analytical essays enable students to critically assess statements or to create a relationship between different points. A student evaluates information given to him/her to make the reader see the writer’s perspective. What perspective do you want your reader to know?

Think about it, have you experienced writing a literary analysis of an assigned text or your favorite book?

Perhaps a teacher asked you to critically analyze your life. It’s philosophical, but you might have encountered it during your student life.

Developing Your “Voice”

Here are some tips to help practice asserting your “voice”:

1.Be an “expert”

• Admit it, when you are knowledgeable about a certain topic, it is easier to come with effective statements or arguments. I suggest that you read outside sources to help you think.

2. Use evidence

• If your teacher asks you to write a literary analysis, then it is best to use a quote or a scene from your required reading to support your argument. I suggest you to highlight the “evidence”

3. Take advantage of questions

• Questions are meant to guide you. It is to help you understand the story at a deeper level. You may opt to write your answers on a paper first.

4. Keep your mind sharp!

• This is optional, but I tend to analyze songs, quotes, or text messages to sharpen my mind. I usually create a relationship between the song or quote with my life. Then, I show it to my friends for critiques or opinions.
• It sounds funny, but I analyze messages. For example, a person I talked to via SMS exhibits juvenile behavior. I will state as to why that person is juvenile by providing evidence from the message. Let’s say that the person is juvenile because he/she refuses to take responsibility for his/her actions.
• Notice that I use evidence to justify my claims.

Analytical Essay Outline

1. Introduction – Presents a short background of the paper. It should be a “hook”, as it has to grab the reader’s attention. The thesis statement should be present here. It should be one to two sentences long. A sample introduction and thesis statement are provided below.
2. Body – This contains the content of your essay. It depends on how many paragraphs you will devote to the body. Remember to use evidence.
3. Conclusion – Brief summary of your paper. Don’t forget to reassert your thesis statement and relate it with your content.
4. References- Cite the sources you used in the reference page.

Analytical Essay Outline Worksheet

I will give you a worksheet to be used in writing your essay. Feel free to add more to suit your preferences. You can even create your own variation if you want.

Analytical Essay Example for High School

Wait! I’m a high schooler, can you give examples? Dear reader, your wish is my command. These examples are from Lexington High School, and it also provides analytical models for each grade level.

These types of analytical essays are common in high school.

Literary or Book Analytical Essay

Hold up! Literary analytical essay is important! Your instructor might have asked you to write one.

You might even be expected to write one in the future. Here’s what you need to prepare for:

• Character analysis (Ex: the flaw of the protagonist)
• Imagery and symbolism
• The relationship between the story’s plot and its subplot
• How the story relates to current social issues (Ex: the effects of poverty)

Remember to follow the analytical essay outline and worksheet. Don’t forget to forget to provide what is needed by your professor. If there are guide questions, answer them, okay?

Literary or Book Analytical Essay Tips

Okay, readers. I’ve done literary analytical essays when I was a student. I’ll share some of them with you!

1. If anything catches your attention, such as a character’s trait, highlight it or bookmark the page.
2. Be aware of the setting and the timeframe of the story. These can help you understand the characters’ way of life. You can list them on a paper.
3. If it helps, you can read about the author’s life. It can help you gain an insight into his/her writing style. Remember how I said about being an “expert”?
4. Your professor might require you to cite direct quotations. Include them in your paper, and remember to cite them properly.

Analytical Essay Topics

Are you still here? Yes? Good! I will provide sample topics for you to practice. As always, you have the option to have your own topic.

Analytical Essay Topics for High School:

1. Social media and its implications for the youth
2. A literary analysis of “Kafka On the Shore” (or any book you like)
3. Should schools allow students to dress casually or let them wear a uniform?
4. Should parents allow their toddlers/school-aged kids to use mobile phones?
5. Your chosen career and social media

Regardless of your education level, here are more topics to consider:

6. The effects of western colonization
7. The threat of international conflict to peace and security
8. Listening to music and productivity
9. Reading textbooks vs. reading books on tablets
10. Implications of online dating to the youth/adults
11. Gender equality in the US
12. Mobile phones and how it affects family

Analytical Essay Writing Tips

Ready for more tips? Here they are:

1. Read the instructions of your assignment carefully.
2. Proofread your paper. You can also ask someone to check it and to provide their feedback.
3. Take note of your professor’s comments on your paper, as these can help you improve your paper (in the case of submitting several drafts before the final paper)
4. Avoid using “in my opinion” and the like in your essay.

Yay! You have reached the end of my guide. Reward yourself with a milkshake. Let us summarize what we have learned:

• Developing your “voice”
• Definition of an analytical essay
• Outline of an analytical essay
• Literary analytical essay
• Tips

You were able to see an analytical essay outline to assist you in writing. I hope this guide has challenged you to become a better writer. While this is only a guide, remember that effort has to come from yourself.

What tips and tricks can you share with other people? I’ll leave this question for you to reflect on. Till next time, my readers!