University of Tlemcen, Algeria

Department of English
Licence 3: Comprehension and Written Production
2021/2022

Answering Essay Questions

Introduction

Words like ‘explain’, ‘evaluate’ or ‘analyze’ and others provide a useful indication of how
the essay should be structured. If students misinterpret the question words in the exam
instruction, the essay writing could be completely irrelevant and score poorly. Question
words help identify the kind of response the essay requires.

1. Analyze
 Essay questions that ask to ‘analyze’ a particular topic require the student to break
the essay topic down into its essential parts. To do so, we need to bring important
evidence to look in depth at the arguments for and against, as well as how these
parts should interlink. We should not simply give a narration on the key debates in
the literature; we should make our position known and tie it to the literature
offered.

“What Is an Analytical Essay? (masterclass.com)

An analytical essay is a piece of writing that provides substantive analysis of a topic.
Analysis papers can be written about art, music, literary works, current events,
historical events, politics, scientific research, and philosophy, among other topics.
Analytical essays are common in academic settings, and they also appear in
magazines, newspapers, academic journals, trade journals. A good analytical essay
can explain and contextualize basic information for the benefit of a reader.”

“ What Is the Purpose of an Analytical Essay?

Analytical essays serve two purposes, one for the reader and one for the writer. High school
teachers and college professors assign analytical papers to help their students grow as writers and
thinkers. Analytical papers boost a student's writing skills and enhance their comprehension of a
particular topic.

Analytical essays also benefit readers. Newspapers and magazines routinely publish critical
analysis essays to help their readers make sense of the news of the day. These types o f essays
enable authors, who may be experts in their fields, to educate their fellow citizens on matters of
politics, economics, art, architecture, culture, and many other subjects of importance.”

Credits : Pr. H. Hamzaoui & Dr. Y. Messaoudi

 University of Tlemcen, Algeria
Department of English
Licence 3: Comprehension and Written Production
2021/2022

Analytical Essay Outline

Introduction
 Hook Orientate the reader
 Background Information - Identify the focus/purpose and scope
- Provide (narrowed) background information
- Make a transitional sentence
 Thesis Statement State your thesis
Body Paragraph(s)
 Topic Sentence Introduce the main point of the body paragraph in
one straightforward and effective sentence. The topic
sentence should be the outcome of the thesis
breaking down process not of arbitrary thinking.
 Supporting Sentences - Analysis: Analyze your supporting evidence.
Explain how the evidence supports your thesis
statement. This part should take up about
one or two sentences and is arguably the
most important part of the entire analytical
essay writing.
- Evidence: The analysis is created from the
supporting evidence that you find (facts,
statistics, etc.), so they should always go hand
in hand. Make sure that these two parts link
together in a straightforward manner.

 Concluding Sentence Restate to the reader your analysis and its

significance to the point in hand.
Conclusion
To end the entire essay, it is necessary to create an overall concluding statement. This can be either what
you have learned from writing the essay, or what the audience should take away from your work.
- Rephrase the thesis statement
- Summarize key points
- Overall concluding statement

Credits : Pr. H. Hamzaoui & Dr. Y. Messaoudi

 University of Tlemcen, Algeria
Department of English
Licence 3: Comprehension and Written Production
2021/2022

Wrap up!
How to Write an Analytical Essay in 7 Steps (examples.com; adapted)

The best analytical essays offer a clear point of view, are well organized around a main
idea, address opposing arguments, and are thoroughly supported by primary and
secondary sources. Here is a step-by-step guide for writing an analytical essay.

1. Choose a point of view. No matter what you choose as your central point of view,
prepare to anchor your entire analytical essay around a singular thesis statement.
2. Write an introductory paragraph ending in a thesis statement. An excellent
introduction can engage your reader’s interest, so take extra care on your opening
paragraph. The best introductions start with a hook such as a rhetorical question
or a bold statement and provide global context, outlining questions that your
analysis will tackle. A good introduction concludes with a thesis statement that
serves as the North Star for the entire essay.
3. Carefully organize the body of your essay. After your introductory paragraph,
divide your essay into body paragraphs that delve into specific topics. All body
paragraphs should serve the main goal of supporting your thesis statement, either
by providing background information, digging into details, or providing
contrasting viewpoints. The number of body paragraphs will vary depending on
the scope of your essay. The structure of your essay is just as important as the
subject of your essay, so take the time to plan each body paragraph.
4. Craft clear topic sentences. Each main body paragraph should begin with a topic
sentence that both introduces the topic of the specific paragraph, and ties it to
your main thesis.
5. Populate your essay with evidence. The main body of the essay should be filled
with a mixture of substance and analysis. You won't convince your audience by
making statements without solid evidence to back it up. Therefore, you must
support the main points of your analysis with textual evidence taken from both
primary and secondary sources. Use footnotes and endnotes as necessary.
6. Provide space for contrasting opinions. You can make an argument stronger by
acknowledging another point of view. Even if you do not agree with a critical
perspective, you can still use a body paragraph to articulate that point of view.
You can then refute that argument with additional evidence and reasoning,
strengthening your thesis.

Credits : Pr. H. Hamzaoui & Dr. Y. Messaoudi

 University of Tlemcen, Algeria
Department of English
Licence 3: Comprehension and Written Production
2021/2022

7. Summarize your analysis in a concluding paragraph. Whether you're aiming

for a good grade or just trying to give your audience a satisfying reading
experience, wrap up your analytical essay with a concluding paragraph that
recaps your argument. The concluding paragraph is not the place to introduce
new evidence. Rather, it is the bow on your entire essay, reminding your reader of
your most important points and leaving them with some final words for
consideration.

Practice!
a. What type of essay outline you follow when you encounter the instruction “analyze”
in a writing task?
b. What is the difference between an analytical essay and a descriptive essay?
c. Consider the attached sample essay and highlight each step mentioned in the Wrap-
up section.

Credits : Pr. H. Hamzaoui & Dr. Y. Messaoudi