Learning to analyze and think critically is a valuable skill.It will help with schoolwork and will allow you to conduct thoughtful research for the rest of your life.A summary, annotations, and examination of an article is required for a good analysis.
Step 1: Don't write anything down when you read the article.
The first reading should be used to learn and understand the content.
Step 2: Look up any words that you don't understand.
Before you begin analyzing your article, make sure you understand all the concepts.
Step 3: A short summary of the article is needed.
You may need to re-read it if you can't do it.
Step 4: If it's easier to explain the article aloud, consider it.
The outline and content of the article can be explained in non-technical language.
Step 5: You can make a copy of the article.
You can print it out.If you're not familiar with a note taking program, you should do it by hand.If you have page numbers, you can cite the article correctly in your analysis.
Step 6: The article needs to be read a second time.
You will want to mark in the margins as you read.
Step 7: The thesis of the article should be highlighted.
This is the main argument that the writer is making.As you decide how successful the author was in convincing their audience, your analysis will refer back to this thesis.
Step 8: There are underline concepts in the article.
As you go along, make notes about the supporting points in the margins.Look for methods, evidence, and results in a scientific paper.Most scientific papers have this structure.
Step 9: Make notes of concepts that are not fully proven.
During the writing process, these annotations will save you time.
Step 10: The summary or abstract should be written.
This can serve as your introduction if you are writing an analysis essay.
Step 11: Provide some information about the writer of the article.
Whether their opinions are part of an area of expertise will be determined by their qualifications.The author is a primary or secondary source in historical articles.Do you think the author could be guilty of bias?You should state if the author was able to stay objective as they relayed news to the audience.
Step 12: The audience of the article needs to be established.
Do you think the author was well-received by the audience?If the audience is the general public, but the author uses very technical terms, it may not be a convincing article.
Step 13: The purpose of the article should be decided.
The author is trying to prove something.The author can answer questions later.
Step 14: How successful is the author in proving the thesis?
State examples include successful or failed arguments.Go through the article to see how cohesive their arguments were.To find quotations or questions about the validity of an argument, refer back to your annotations.
Step 15: The article should be compared to other articles.
If you're asked to read more than one article, you can look at another article in a different way.Which argument was more convincing?
Step 16: Write any questions that were not answered.
If the author could have done more to improve their article, then they should.
Step 17: The article matters to the reader and the world as a whole.
You should discuss the topic at this point.Some classes want the reader's opinion, while others want a scientific critique.
Step 18: If you used citations in your article, you should create a Works Cited page.