Notes: Writing Analysis Sentences

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Analysis sentences explain how your evidence supports your argument. They give your own ideas, opinions, and insights about a piece of evidence or an example. In them, you make your argument and explain your point. 

You should write at least TWO analysis sentences per example. Otherwise, your writing will be just a list of examples or evidence, not an argument.

Ask Yourself:
Why is the piece of evidence important? 
What does it show? 
Why did you choose it?
 How does it help prove your argument?

Don't do this:
Repeat your example or evidence
Restate your example or evidence in different words
Copy someone else's words
Summarize the text
Stuck? Try using these templates to help you.

To analyze the importance or significance of a quotation, try starting sentences this way:
· This reveals that…
· This demonstrates….
· This highlights…
· This illustrates…
· It is important to notice/remember that…
· This is interesting/fascinating/disturbing/unexpected/other adjective because….
· The point of this event/conversation is to…

To analyze a character’s decisions or conflicts, try starting sentences this way:
(Replace the words the character with a name)

· The character says this because…
· The character makes this decision because…
· The character chooses to do this because…
· Because of this event, the character must…
· At this point in the story, the character realizes that…
· Because the character makes this choice, he/she…
· The character has a choice between ___ and ___; the choice he/she makes reveals…
· At this point, the major conflict is between __ and __, which suggests that…

To analyze the way a quotation or text uses language, try starting sentences this way:
· The repetition of [a word, symbol, or image] suggests that…
· The language of this passage highlights…
· At this point in the story, _____ symbolizes…
· This language is startling/vivid/effective/other adjective because…
· When the text says “___,” the reader understands that…
· The word “__” in the previous quotation suggests that….

To analyze what the author or the whole text is doing, try starting sentences this way:
(Replace the words the author with a name and the words the text with a title)
· At this point in the text, the author highlights/emphasizes/suggests…
· The author/the text wants the reader to understand that…
· The author’s/the text’s use of ___ is revealing because…
· The author/the text uses this incident to show…
· At this point in the text, the author’s argument is…
· The author’s/the text’s point is…

Notes: Writing Analysis Sentences

Analysis sentences explain how your evidence supports your argument. They give your own ideas, opinions, and insights about a piece of evidence or an example. In them, you make your argument and explain your point.

You should write at least TWO analysis sentences per example. Otherwise, your writing will be just a list of examples or evidence, not an argument.

Ask Yourself:

Don't do this:

Stuck? Try using these templates to help you.

I have read these notes, and I know where to find them. I understand that I can use them when I'm writing.