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What Should You Include In Your Media Analysis Essay?

If you’re tasked with writing a media analysis essay, it’s important to include the right elements in your essay for a cohesive and well-written piece. What makes an essay good are its elements and structure.

So, whether you’re new to the concept of media analysis or just need a refresher, keep reading for some helpful tips on what you should include in your media analysis essay.  Another option for writing your essay is hiring a professional essay writer to assist you.

What Is Media Analysis?

Media analysis is the process of critiquing and interpreting information from the media in the context of a particular topic. This can be done with any type of media, including but not limited to:

• Social media posts

Essentially, when you engage in media analysis, you’re looking at the content in the media and critically evaluating it. Now that we’ve discussed what media analysis is, let’s move on to what should be included in a media analysis essay.

What Are the Elements of a Media Analysis Essay?

A clear thesis statement.

When writing any type of essay, it’s important to start with a clear thesis statement. This is especially true for a media analysis essay, as your thesis statement will serve as the foundation for the rest of your paper. 

When crafting your thesis statement, be sure to make it concise and clear. It should also be specific and arguable. An example of a good thesis statement for a media analysis essay might be: “Despite its claim to be an objective news source, The New York Times is biased in its coverage of political issues.”

Evidence to Support Your Thesis Statement

Once you have a clear thesis statement, the next step is to provide evidence to support it. When looking for such evidence, be sure to consider the content of the media along with the context in which it was created. 

For example, if you’re evaluating a news article, you might look at the language used by the author and how it might reflect their personal biases. If you’re analyzing a social media post, you might consider the creator’s history and any previous posts they’ve made on the same topic.

A Discussion of the Implications of Your Analysis

In addition to providing evidence to support your thesis statement, it’s also important to discuss the implications of your analysis. What does your analysis mean for the media piece that you’re critiquing? 

For example, if you’re arguing that a news article is biased, what implications does this have for the readers of that article? Are they getting an accurate portrayal of the events that are taking place?

A Conclusion

Last but not least, don’t forget to include a conclusion in your media analysis essay. Your conclusion should briefly summarize the main points of your essay and reinforce your thesis statement. It’s also a good idea to end with a call to action, or some food for thought, encouraging your readers to further engage with the topic you’ve discussed.

What Are the Steps in Writing a Media Analysis Essay?

Now that we’ve gone over what should be included in a media analysis essay, let’s discuss the steps involved in writing one.

Choose Your Topic

The first step is to choose a topic for your essay. You can write a media analysis essay on any topic. However, it’s important to choose a topic that you’re interested in and familiar with. This will make the research and writing process much easier.

Find Media Sources to Analyze

Once you’ve chosen your topic, it’s time to find some media sources to analyze. If you’re writing about a specific event, you might look for articles from different news outlets. If you’re critiquing a particular advertisement, you might look for similar ads from other companies. It’s important to try to find a variety of sources so that you can get a well-rounded view of the issue at hand.

Evaluate the Sources

After you’ve gathered your sources, it’s time to start evaluating them. This involves reading and evaluating the content of your sources, as well as looking at the context in which they were created. Be sure to take detailed notes during this process so that you can easily refer back to them later.

Craft Your Thesis Statement

Once you’ve done your research, it’s time to start working on your thesis statement. This is the main argument of your essay, so it’s important that it be clear and well-developed.

Write Your Essay

This is the final step of writing the essay and is often the trickiest. This is especially true if you’re new to writing, as you might struggle to put your thoughts into words coherently. This is where an experienced freelance essay writer, like those available for hire on Guru, might come in handy.

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Module 8: Analysis and Synthesis

Analytical thesis statements, learning objective.

• Describe strategies for writing analytical thesis statements
• Identify analytical thesis statements

In order to write an analysis, you want to first have a solid understanding of the thing you are analyzing. Remember, when you are analyzing as a writer, you are:

• Breaking down information or artifacts into component parts
• Uncovering relationships among those parts
• Determining motives, causes, and underlying assumptions
• Making inferences and finding evidence to support generalizations

You may be asked to analyze a book, an essay, a poem, a movie, or even a song. For example, let’s suppose you want to analyze the lyrics to a popular song. Pretend that a rapper called Escalade has the biggest hit of the summer with a song titled “Missing You.” You listen to the song and determine that it is about the pain people feel when a loved one dies. You have already done analysis at a surface level and you want to begin writing your analysis. You start with the following thesis statement:

Escalade’s hit song “Missing You” is about grieving after a loved one dies.

There isn’t much depth or complexity to such a claim because the thesis doesn’t give much information. In order to write a better thesis statement, we need to dig deeper into the song. What is the importance of the lyrics? What are they really about? Why is the song about grieving? Why did he present it this way? Why is it a powerful song? Ask questions to lead you to further investigation. Doing so will help you better understand the work, but also help you develop a better thesis statement and stronger analytical essay.

Formulating an Analytical Thesis Statement

When formulating an analytical thesis statement in college, here are some helpful words and phrases to remember:

• What? What is the claim?
• How? How is this claim supported?
• So what? In other words, “What does this mean, what are the implications, or why is this important?”

Telling readers what the lyrics are might be a useful way to let them see what you are analyzing and/or to isolate specific parts where you are focusing your analysis. However, you need to move far beyond “what.” Instructors at the college level want to see your ability to break down material and demonstrate deep thinking. The claim in the thesis statement above said that Escalade’s song was about loss, but what evidence do we have for that, and why does that matter?

Effective analytical thesis statements require digging deeper and perhaps examining the larger context. Let’s say you do some research and learn that the rapper’s mother died not long ago, and when you examine the lyrics more closely, you see that a few of the lines seem to be specifically about a mother rather than a loved one in general.

Then you also read a recent interview with Escalade in which he mentions that he’s staying away from hardcore rap lyrics on his new album in an effort to be more mainstream and reach more potential fans. Finally, you notice that some of the lyrics in the song focus on not taking full advantage of the time we have with our loved ones.   All of these pieces give you material to write a more complex thesis statement, maybe something like this:

In the hit song “Missing You,” Escalade draws on his experience of losing his mother and raps about the importance of not taking time with family for granted in order to connect with his audience.

Such a thesis statement is focused while still allowing plenty of room for support in the body of your paper. It addresses the questions posed above:

• The claim is that Escalade connects with a broader audience by rapping about the importance of not taking time with family for granted in his hit song, “Missing You.”
• This claim is supported in the lyrics of the song and through the “experience of losing his mother.”
• The implications are that we should not take the time we have with people for granted.

Certainly, there may be many ways for you to address “what,” “how,” and “so what,” and you may want to explore other ideas, but the above example is just one way to more fully analyze the material. Note that the example above is not formulaic, but if you need help getting started, you could use this template format to help develop your thesis statement.

Through ________________(how?), we can see that __________________(what?), which is important because ___________________(so what?). [1]

Just remember to think about these questions (what? how? and so what?) as you try to determine why something is what it is or why something means what it means. Asking these questions can help you analyze a song, story, or work of art, and can also help you construct meaningful thesis sentences when you write an analytical paper.

Key Takeaways for analytical theses

Don’t be afraid to let your claim evolve organically . If you find that your thinking and writing don’t stick exactly to the thesis statement you have constructed, your options are to scrap the writing and start again to make it fit your claim (which might not always be possible) or to modify your thesis statement. The latter option can be much easier if you are okay with the changes. As with many projects in life, writing doesn’t always go in the direction we plan, and strong analysis may mean thinking about and making changes as you look more closely at your topic. Be flexible.

Use analysis to get you to the main claim. You may have heard the simile that analysis is like peeling an onion because you have to go through layers to complete your work. You can start the process of breaking down an idea or an artifact without knowing where it will lead you or without a main claim or idea to guide you. Often, careful assessment of the pieces will bring you to an interesting interpretation of the whole. In their text Writing Analytically , authors David Rosenwasser and Jill Stephen posit that being analytical doesn’t mean just breaking something down. It also means constructing understandings. Don’t assume you need to have deeper interpretations all figured out as you start your work.

When you decide upon the main claim, make sure it is reasoned . In other words, if it is very unlikely anyone else would reach the same interpretation you are making, it might be off base. Not everyone needs to see an idea the same way you do, but a reasonable person should be able to understand, if not agree, with your analysis.

Look for analytical thesis statements in the following activity.

Using Evidence

An effective analytical thesis statement (or claim) may sound smart or slick, but it requires evidence to be fully realized. Consider movie trailers and the actual full-length movies they advertise as an analogy. If you see an exciting one-minute movie trailer online and then go see the film only to leave disappointed because all the good parts were in the trailer, you feel cheated, right? You think you were promised something that didn’t deliver in its execution. A paper with a strong thesis statement but lackluster evidence feels the same way to readers.

So what does strong analytical evidence look like? Think again about “what,” “how,” and “so what.” A claim introduces these interpretations, and evidence lets you show them. Keep in mind that evidence used in writing analytically will build on itself as the piece progresses, much like a good movie builds to an interesting climax.

Key Takeaways about evidence

Be selective about evidence. Having a narrow thesis statement will help you be selective with evidence, but even then, you don’t need to include any and every piece of information related to your main claim. Consider the best points to back up your analytic thesis statement and go deeply into them. (Also, remember that you may modify your thesis statement as you think and write, so being selective about what evidence you use in an analysis may actually help you narrow down what was a broad main claim as you work.) Refer back to our movie theme in this section: You have probably seen plenty of films that would have been better with some parts cut out and more attention paid to intriguing but underdeveloped characters and/or ideas.

Be clear and explicit with your evidence. Don’t assume that readers know exactly what you are thinking. Make your points and explain them in detail, providing information and context for readers, where necessary. Remember that analysis is critical examination and interpretation, but you can’t just assume that others always share or intuit your line of thinking. Need a movie analogy? Think back on all the times you or someone you know has said something like “I’m not sure what is going on in this movie.”

Move past obvious interpretations. Analyzing requires brainpower. Writing analytically is even more difficult. Don’t, however, try to take the easy way out by using obvious evidence (or working from an obvious claim). Many times writers have a couple of great pieces of evidence to support an interesting interpretation, but they feel the need to tack on an obvious idea—often more of an observation than analysis—somewhere in their work. This tendency may stem from the conventions of the five-paragraph essay, which features three points of support. Writing analytically, though, does not mean writing a five-paragraph essay (not much writing in college does). Develop your other evidence further or modify your main idea to allow room for additional strong evidence, but avoid obvious observations as support for your main claim. One last movie comparison? Go take a look at some of the debate on predictable Hollywood scripts. Have you ever watched a movie and felt like you have seen it before? You have, in one way or another. A sharp reader will be about as interested in obvious evidence as he or she will be in seeing a tired script reworked for the thousandth time.

One type of analysis you may be asked to write is a literary analysis, in which you examine a piece of text by breaking it down and looking for common literary elements, such as character, symbolism, plot, setting, imagery, and tone.

The video below compares writing a literary analysis to analyzing a team’s chances of winning a game—just as you would look at various factors like the weather, coaching, players, their record, and their motivation for playing. Similarly, when analyzing a literary text you want to look at all of the literary elements that contribute to the work.

The video takes you through the story of Cinderalla as an example, following the simplest possible angle (or thesis statement), that “Dreams can come true if you don’t give up.” (Note that if you were really asked to analyze Cinderella for a college class, you would want to dig deeper to find a more nuanced and interesting theme, but it works well for this example.) To analyze the story with this theme in mind, you’d want to consider the literary elements such as imagery, characters, dialogue, symbolism, the setting, plot, and tone, and consider how each of these contribute to the message that “Dreams can come true if you don’t give up.”

You can view the transcript for “How to Analyze Literature” here (opens in new window) .

• UCLA Undergraduate Writing Center. "What, How and So What?" Approaching the Thesis as a Process. https://wp.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/UWC_handouts_What-How-So-What-Thesis-revised-5-4-15-RZ.pdf ↵
• Keys to Successful Analysis. Authored by : Guy Krueger. Provided by : University of Mississippi. License : CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
• Thesis Statement Activity. Authored by : Excelsior OWL. Located at : https://owl.excelsior.edu/research/thesis-or-focus/thesis-or-focus-thesis-statement-activity/ . License : CC BY: Attribution
• What is Analysis?. Authored by : Karen Forgette. Provided by : University of Mississippi. License : CC BY: Attribution
• How to Analyze Literature. Provided by : HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College. Located at : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pr4BjZkQ5Nc . License : Other . License Terms : Standard YouTube License

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Guide to Writing Media Analysis Essays

Mastering Media Analysis: A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Write a Media Analysis Essay

In the digital age, the capacity to critically examine media is essential, with the media analysis essay serving as a key academic instrument for students. Learning how to write a media analysis essay means dissecting media’s nuanced messages and its audience impact, focusing on language, imagery, and structure to uncover deeper meanings. This isn’t just an academic exercise but a deep dive into media’s influence on societal norms and perceptions.

The journey begins by choosing a piece that sparks your interest, setting the stage for an in-depth analysis of its broader societal roles. Best-Writing-Service.com offers essential support in this endeavor, providing guidance to overcome the challenges of such a complex analysis. With our help, students can channel their curiosity into a meaningful exploration, making writing this task a gateway to understanding the profound effects of media in shaping our world.

Decoding the Basics: What is a Media Analysis Essay?

The essay on media analysis stands as a crucial scholarly endeavor, exploring the intricate relationship between content and its audience. This task transcends simple critique to evaluate the messages, strategies, and goals of various productions. It prompts an in-depth review of themes, storytelling methods, and portrayals, enriching students’ comprehension of its impact across societal, economic, and political domains.

Mastering how to write a media analysis paper is pivotal, requiring deep thought and literacy skills, enabling learners to become adept at interpreting complex messages. Selecting a subject with substantial analytical depth is the first step, aimed at dissecting its elements to reveal broader societal meanings.

Developing a nuanced media analysis essay involves integrating observations with academic insights, offering a holistic perspective on its societal effects. This thorough examination not only broadens students’ insights but also sharpens their analytical capabilities, becoming essential in various fields of study. The capacity to critically assess narratives positions this type of essay as a vital tool in cultivating informed and discerning viewpoints on the landscape it examines.

Polishing Your Piece: Which Step Must You Complete Before Writing a Media Assessment Essay?

Embarking on how to do a media analysis requires foundational steps beyond just writing; thorough research and meticulous planning are paramount. This approach not only sets the stage for a critical exploration of media’s societal and cultural impact but also enriches your essay with depth and coherence. Here’s a streamlined process:

• Preliminary Research. Dive deep into the piece’s context, production, and reception, alongside the broader discourse it inspires. This enriches your perspective, providing a solid foundation for analysis.
• Analytical Framework Development. Identify key themes, messages, and techniques for analysis, choosing appropriate theoretical lenses to guide your exploration.
• Essay Outlining. Craft a detailed outline from introduction to conclusion, organizing main points and evidence to ensure logical progression and strong support for your thesis.

This preparatory work, from initial research to the construction of an analytical framework and a structured outline, is crucial for crafting an essay that’s both insightful and illuminating. It not only enhances the clarity and depth of your analysis but also ensures a coherent argument throughout your piece. Investing time in these steps before beginning your draft is indispensable for a high-quality paper, setting a solid foundation for your critique and insights.

Crafting Your Blueprint: Media Analysis Essay Structure and Outline

Creating the best media analysis hinges on a meticulously crafted structure and outline, acting as the foundation of your analytical process. This systematic approach ensures your arguments are logically presented, enhancing the persuasiveness of your insights. A well-prepared outline is your first step, organizing thoughts and setting a clear direction for your essay, from introducing the media piece to dissecting its content and impact.

Building a Strategic Framework

Begin by crafting a media analysis essay outline that maps out your essay, from an engaging introduction setting up your thesis to detailed body paragraphs exploring the piece’s themes, techniques, and societal impact. This blueprint ensures a coherent flow, guiding your analysis and supporting a structured critique.

Introduction and Analysis

Start with a concise introduction that presents the piece and outlines your main argument, establishing a clear thesis to guide your exploration. The body of your essay then breaks down the media’s components, each paragraph starting with a topic sentence that leads into evidence-based analysis, critically evaluating the media’s influence on societal norms and perceptions.

Synthesizing Insights in Conclusion

Conclude by weaving together your findings, underscoring the relevance of your analysis and its implications for understanding media’s societal role. This not only reinforces the depth of your critique but also encourages further scholarly inquiry.

By prioritizing a strategic outline, your essay is poised to deliver insightful, organized analysis, making a significant contribution to media studies. This preparation is key to navigating media’s complexities, ensuring your essay is both informative and impactful.

Setting the Stage: How to Start a Media Analysis Essay

Launching your analysis essay effectively grabs attention, laying the groundwork for a comprehensive critique. Here’s a streamlined approach to start:

• Craft an Engaging Hook. Use a provocative quote or surprising statistic to spark curiosity and set the context for the piece under examination.
• Introduce the Piece. Provide a brief overview, including its title, creator, and key themes, clarifying the focus and significance of your analysis.
• Present Your Thesis Statement. Clearly state your main argument and the direction of your analysis, outlining the scope of your investigation.
• Lay the Groundwork. Preview the structure and analytical perspective you’ll employ, preparing readers for the depth of examination to follow.

This introductory strategy not only captivates but also thoroughly prepares your audience for the analysis ahead. By succinctly presenting the piece and articulating your thesis, you emphasize the critical elements to explore, aligning with the query of what should you include in your analysis essay. A compelling introduction is crucial, drawing readers in while setting a solid foundation for your analytical discourse, underscoring the need for precision, innovation, and critical thought from the start.

Analyzing Like a Pro: Each Paragraph of Your Media Analysis Essay Explained

Understanding the structure of a media analysis essay is pivotal for crafting an insightful critique of media’s societal impact. In crafting your text, remember that each paragraph of your media analysis essay should meticulously contribute to unfolding your critical argument, starting from a thesis-supporting introduction, through evidence-backed body paragraphs, to a conclusion that synthesizes and extends your insights. This guide outlines what to include in each section, emphasizing the role of critical thinking and evidence-based analysis throughout.

Introduction: Begin with a hook and a thesis statement that frames your overall argument, setting the stage for an in-depth exploration of the media piece.

Body Paragraphs:

• Thematic Analysis. Discuss the media’s themes, using evidence to illustrate how they reflect or critique societal norms.
• Narrative Techniques. Analyze the structure and storytelling methods, evaluating their effectiveness in conveying the piece’s message.
• Representation. Examine how groups or ideologies are portrayed, considering the implications for audience perception.

Integrating Scholarly Perspectives: Enhance your argument by incorporating academic research, contrasting viewpoints, and situating your analysis within broader media studies discourse.

Conclusion: Summarize your key findings, reiterate the thesis in light of the analysis, and suggest directions for future research or implications for media literacy.

This approach not only maps out the essential components of this particular type of assignment but also underscores the necessity of applying critical thinking and rigorous analysis. By methodically breaking down the media piece from introduction to conclusion, you engage deeply with the content, offering a nuanced perspective that contributes to the ongoing conversation about media’s influence on society.

Spotlight on Substance: Media Analysis Essay Topics

Choosing a compelling topic for your analysis is key, blending personal interest with societal relevance and scholarly depth. When delving into topics, reviewing a media analysis essay example can offer insight and motivation, guiding your essay’s focus and illuminating its societal impact. Potential subjects include:

• Current Events and News Coverage. Analyze how different outlets represent events, revealing biases and their effects on public views.
• Advertising and Consumer Culture. Investigate how marketing campaigns influence consumer choices and societal standards.
• Social Media Trends. Assess how online viral trends affect social norms and individual actions.
• Representation. Explore how different groups are depicted across various channels, evaluating strides toward inclusivity.

This crucial step lays the groundwork for a narrative that not only adheres to academic rigor but also advances the conversation on societal impacts. By selecting a topic that combines personal curiosity with wider implications, your essay becomes more than an academic task; it emerges as a significant contribution to the dialogue on how content shapes and reflects societal values and norms.

Elevate Your Essay: Analysis Essay Writing Help from Best-Writing-Service.com

Tackling a media analysis essay requires a blend of critical thinking and a deep dive into media’s societal roles, a task Best-Writing-Service.com aims to simplify. Our commitment is to transform the challenge of crafting such essays into an opportunity for academic and personal growth. Here’s what makes our service uniquely beneficial:

• Customized Assistance. We offer tailored support to match your essay’s specific demands, from initial topic selection through to the final touches.
• Media Analysis Expertise. Our specialists, acting as your personal analysis essay writer, bring a wealth of knowledge in media studies to provide you with insights that enrich your analysis.
• Collaborative Process. You’re involved at every step, ensuring your essay reflects your voice and perspective.
• Skills Development. Engaging with our team enhances your analytical and writing skills, setting you up for future academic success.
• Privacy Assurance. We guarantee confidentiality across all services, protecting your personal and academic information.
• High-Quality Standards. Every essay is original, thoroughly researched, and crafted to meet exacting academic criteria.
• Stress Relief. We alleviate the pressures of research and writing, allowing you to focus on learning.
• Timely Delivery. Our efficient process ensures your essay is completed within your deadline.

Partnering with us not only eases the academic burden but also enriches your understanding and critique of media’s impact on society. Let us elevate your assignment, turning it into a testament to your scholarly achievements and critical insights.

Crossing the Finish Line: Your Journey to an Outstanding Media Analysis Essay

In wrapping up your essay, weaving together your observations and proof is key, demonstrating your deep insight into societal impacts. This process, central in how to write a media analysis, not only consolidates your argument but also lays the groundwork for further academic exploration, encouraging a wider investigation into its extensive societal role. Reflecting on your methodology underscores your detailed understanding of executing such analyses, significantly enriching the discourse.

For those seeking to refine their essays, Best-Writing-Service.com extends specialized guidance and support to bolster academic thoroughness and insight. Seize this opportunity to fine-tune your work and make a meaningful contribution to the ongoing discussion on societal influences.

Reflect on the path you’ve navigated in this analytical endeavor, appreciating the impact of your insights on the broader conversation. Celebrate your analytical successes and consider Best-Writing-Service.com for additional support in your future projects, striving for even deeper impacts.

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Media Analysis Essay, Writing Guide

How to write a media analysis essay, introduction example, thesis statement, organising body paragraphs, how to conclude.

Media analysis essay requires one to understand the landscape of the media that guides them in the presentation of certain critical issues. The media analysis essay can work to identify messages, framing of messages, and also improving an existing issue. The essay should take into consideration pieces of media coverage over a certain period of time. These pieces of coverage are often in major daily newspapers, broadcasting outlets, and magazines. There are various steps to write a good media analysis essay. The first stage of writing a media analysis essay is to develop certain search terms. One identifies a list of search terms that help to zero in only articles that discussed a certain topic. The irrelevant topics are therefore excluded from the essay. For instance, if the media coverage was about the Government not concerned with Low-Wage Workers, the first search term would be ‘Low-Wage Workers.’ This will direct one to various news outlets that have the information about Low-Wage Workers in the country. During the search process, the media coverage on the topic might be varied. The writer, therefore, samples out the most suitable and relevant information to use for the analysis. The student then establishes the top sources of news which have credible information for use in the essay writing. It is important to have an introduction of an essay that lets the reader understand the main discussion covered in the essay. This includes giving detailed and background information about the topic of discussion. In the analysis of coverage on Low-wage workers, the essay can have the following introduction.

“The media broadcast has largely failed to cover the information on Low-Wage Workers even when the government of the day is not concerned. Consequently, most people who access news via television and newspapers are not aware of challenges facing the low-paid workers in the economy. In addition, most organisations that are ready to help the employees do not have sufficient information on certain specific things to offer. This essay will analyse media broadcast of information about employees who receive the lowest income.”

Still under introduction is the thesis statement. The student should have a complete thesis statement at the end of introduction for the media analysis essay. The statement guides any reader on the information covered in main body of the piece of writing. For instance, the thesis statement can be:

“Close analysis of media coverage on Low-Wage Workers is necessary to supply information to various organisations and individuals of concern for the benefit of all employees.”

There are different ways of structuring the paragraphs depending on genre and size of analysis document. However, the main objective of the information in the paragraphs is to present sections of the essay, analysis of the functioning of the sections and how the various parts constitute the thesis statement. One way is by the chronological structure which is the most straightforward technique. This technique should be used with reason to make the essay more effective. For instance, in the analysis of a photo in a newspaper, the chronological approach enables the writer to give insights in an order similar to the viewer of the image. The author should be careful in dealing with a document having a narrative by use of the chronological technique. This is because the writer can easily make a plot summary which is not the main objective of the analysis essay. Another way of structuring body paragraphs is by the use of the spatial technique. This approach covers sections of the essay in an easy way the eye can scan through. The guidelines to spatial approach include left to right and top to down structuring which is the natural way of reading and scanning in countries that use English as a language of communication. Another guideline is by the use of lines which give directions of the eye to follow in the process of scanning. In addition to the above techniques, another approach is by use of persuasive appeals in structuring the essay such as logos, ethos, and others. This technique enables the essay writer to persuade readers through logic and emotions. The student should only use persuasive appeals approach if they understand how it functions since there is a challenge of deviating from the main objective of the essay.

The conclusion of media analysis essay should restate the main ideas and issues covered in the body paragraphs and their importance, restate the thesis statement and also highlight further research necessary in completing efforts given in the analysis. For example in the analysis of low-wage workers, the conclusion can be as follows:

“It is a challenge when lowly-paid employees do not get full coverage in daily media broadcast because this is a platform where most people access news. Individuals and organisations wishing to assist the employees should make more efforts in ensuring the stories receive full media attention. There will be more motivation among the people to take action and change some factors if the media changes the style of covering the topic under discussion.”

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Tips and Examples for Writing Thesis Statements

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Tips for Writing Your Thesis Statement

1. Determine what kind of paper you are writing:

• An analytical paper breaks down an issue or an idea into its component parts, evaluates the issue or idea, and presents this breakdown and evaluation to the audience.
• An expository (explanatory) paper explains something to the audience.
• An argumentative paper makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim with specific evidence. The claim could be an opinion, a policy proposal, an evaluation, a cause-and-effect statement, or an interpretation. The goal of the argumentative paper is to convince the audience that the claim is true based on the evidence provided.

If you are writing a text that does not fall under these three categories (e.g., a narrative), a thesis statement somewhere in the first paragraph could still be helpful to your reader.

2. Your thesis statement should be specific—it should cover only what you will discuss in your paper and should be supported with specific evidence.

3. The thesis statement usually appears at the end of the first paragraph of a paper.

4. Your topic may change as you write, so you may need to revise your thesis statement to reflect exactly what you have discussed in the paper.

Thesis Statement Examples

Example of an analytical thesis statement:

The paper that follows should:

• Explain the analysis of the college admission process
• Explain the challenge facing admissions counselors

Example of an expository (explanatory) thesis statement:

• Explain how students spend their time studying, attending class, and socializing with peers

Example of an argumentative thesis statement:

• Present an argument and give evidence to support the claim that students should pursue community projects before entering college

Thesis Statements

What this handout is about.

This handout describes what a thesis statement is, how thesis statements work in your writing, and how you can craft or refine one for your draft.

Introduction

Writing in college often takes the form of persuasion—convincing others that you have an interesting, logical point of view on the subject you are studying. Persuasion is a skill you practice regularly in your daily life. You persuade your roommate to clean up, your parents to let you borrow the car, your friend to vote for your favorite candidate or policy. In college, course assignments often ask you to make a persuasive case in writing. You are asked to convince your reader of your point of view. This form of persuasion, often called academic argument, follows a predictable pattern in writing. After a brief introduction of your topic, you state your point of view on the topic directly and often in one sentence. This sentence is the thesis statement, and it serves as a summary of the argument you’ll make in the rest of your paper.

What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement:

• tells the reader how you will interpret the significance of the subject matter under discussion.
• is a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper.
• directly answers the question asked of you. A thesis is an interpretation of a question or subject, not the subject itself. The subject, or topic, of an essay might be World War II or Moby Dick; a thesis must then offer a way to understand the war or the novel.
• makes a claim that others might dispute.
• is usually a single sentence near the beginning of your paper (most often, at the end of the first paragraph) that presents your argument to the reader. The rest of the paper, the body of the essay, gathers and organizes evidence that will persuade the reader of the logic of your interpretation.

If your assignment asks you to take a position or develop a claim about a subject, you may need to convey that position or claim in a thesis statement near the beginning of your draft. The assignment may not explicitly state that you need a thesis statement because your instructor may assume you will include one. When in doubt, ask your instructor if the assignment requires a thesis statement. When an assignment asks you to analyze, to interpret, to compare and contrast, to demonstrate cause and effect, or to take a stand on an issue, it is likely that you are being asked to develop a thesis and to support it persuasively. (Check out our handout on understanding assignments for more information.)

How do I create a thesis?

A thesis is the result of a lengthy thinking process. Formulating a thesis is not the first thing you do after reading an essay assignment. Before you develop an argument on any topic, you have to collect and organize evidence, look for possible relationships between known facts (such as surprising contrasts or similarities), and think about the significance of these relationships. Once you do this thinking, you will probably have a “working thesis” that presents a basic or main idea and an argument that you think you can support with evidence. Both the argument and your thesis are likely to need adjustment along the way.

Writers use all kinds of techniques to stimulate their thinking and to help them clarify relationships or comprehend the broader significance of a topic and arrive at a thesis statement. For more ideas on how to get started, see our handout on brainstorming .

How do I know if my thesis is strong?

If there’s time, run it by your instructor or make an appointment at the Writing Center to get some feedback. Even if you do not have time to get advice elsewhere, you can do some thesis evaluation of your own. When reviewing your first draft and its working thesis, ask yourself the following :

• Do I answer the question? Re-reading the question prompt after constructing a working thesis can help you fix an argument that misses the focus of the question. If the prompt isn’t phrased as a question, try to rephrase it. For example, “Discuss the effect of X on Y” can be rephrased as “What is the effect of X on Y?”
• Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? If your thesis simply states facts that no one would, or even could, disagree with, it’s possible that you are simply providing a summary, rather than making an argument.
• Is my thesis statement specific enough? Thesis statements that are too vague often do not have a strong argument. If your thesis contains words like “good” or “successful,” see if you could be more specific: why is something “good”; what specifically makes something “successful”?
• Does my thesis pass the “So what?” test? If a reader’s first response is likely to  be “So what?” then you need to clarify, to forge a relationship, or to connect to a larger issue.
• Does my essay support my thesis specifically and without wandering? If your thesis and the body of your essay do not seem to go together, one of them has to change. It’s okay to change your working thesis to reflect things you have figured out in the course of writing your paper. Remember, always reassess and revise your writing as necessary.
• Does my thesis pass the “how and why?” test? If a reader’s first response is “how?” or “why?” your thesis may be too open-ended and lack guidance for the reader. See what you can add to give the reader a better take on your position right from the beginning.

Suppose you are taking a course on contemporary communication, and the instructor hands out the following essay assignment: “Discuss the impact of social media on public awareness.” Looking back at your notes, you might start with this working thesis:

Social media impacts public awareness in both positive and negative ways.

You can use the questions above to help you revise this general statement into a stronger thesis.

• Do I answer the question? You can analyze this if you rephrase “discuss the impact” as “what is the impact?” This way, you can see that you’ve answered the question only very generally with the vague “positive and negative ways.”
• Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? Not likely. Only people who maintain that social media has a solely positive or solely negative impact could disagree.
• Is my thesis statement specific enough? No. What are the positive effects? What are the negative effects?
• Does my thesis pass the “how and why?” test? No. Why are they positive? How are they positive? What are their causes? Why are they negative? How are they negative? What are their causes?
• Does my thesis pass the “So what?” test? No. Why should anyone care about the positive and/or negative impact of social media?

After thinking about your answers to these questions, you decide to focus on the one impact you feel strongly about and have strong evidence for:

Because not every voice on social media is reliable, people have become much more critical consumers of information, and thus, more informed voters.

This version is a much stronger thesis! It answers the question, takes a specific position that others can challenge, and it gives a sense of why it matters.

Let’s try another. Suppose your literature professor hands out the following assignment in a class on the American novel: Write an analysis of some aspect of Mark Twain’s novel Huckleberry Finn. “This will be easy,” you think. “I loved Huckleberry Finn!” You grab a pad of paper and write:

Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn is a great American novel.

You begin to analyze your thesis:

• Do I answer the question? No. The prompt asks you to analyze some aspect of the novel. Your working thesis is a statement of general appreciation for the entire novel.

Think about aspects of the novel that are important to its structure or meaning—for example, the role of storytelling, the contrasting scenes between the shore and the river, or the relationships between adults and children. Now you write:

In Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain develops a contrast between life on the river and life on the shore.

• Do I answer the question? Yes!
• Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? Not really. This contrast is well-known and accepted.
• Is my thesis statement specific enough? It’s getting there–you have highlighted an important aspect of the novel for investigation. However, it’s still not clear what your analysis will reveal.
• Does my thesis pass the “how and why?” test? Not yet. Compare scenes from the book and see what you discover. Free write, make lists, jot down Huck’s actions and reactions and anything else that seems interesting.
• Does my thesis pass the “So what?” test? What’s the point of this contrast? What does it signify?”

After examining the evidence and considering your own insights, you write:

Through its contrasting river and shore scenes, Twain’s Huckleberry Finn suggests that to find the true expression of American democratic ideals, one must leave “civilized” society and go back to nature.

This final thesis statement presents an interpretation of a literary work based on an analysis of its content. Of course, for the essay itself to be successful, you must now present evidence from the novel that will convince the reader of your interpretation.

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Anson, Chris M., and Robert A. Schwegler. 2010. The Longman Handbook for Writers and Readers , 6th ed. New York: Longman.

Lunsford, Andrea A. 2015. The St. Martin’s Handbook , 8th ed. Boston: Bedford/St Martin’s.

Ramage, John D., John C. Bean, and June Johnson. 2018. The Allyn & Bacon Guide to Writing , 8th ed. New York: Pearson.

Ruszkiewicz, John J., Christy Friend, Daniel Seward, and Maxine Hairston. 2010. The Scott, Foresman Handbook for Writers , 9th ed. Boston: Pearson Education.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Home — Essay Samples — Sociology — Sociology of Media and Communication — Media Analysis

Essays on Media Analysis

What makes a good media analysis essay topics.

When embarking on the quest to find the perfect topic for a media analysis essay, it is crucial to select one that not only captivates but also provides ample opportunities for analysis. Here are some innovative recommendations to fuel your brainstorming process and aid in the selection of an outstanding essay topic:

Brainstorm: Begin by jotting down all the media-related subjects that pique your interest. Explore various forms of media, including television, movies, social media, news articles, and advertising campaigns.

Research potential topics: Once you have a list of potential topics, conduct preliminary research to ensure that there is enough information available to support your analysis. Seek out recent and relevant sources that offer diverse perspectives.

Choose a specific angle: Narrow down your topic by selecting a specific aspect or angle to analyze. Instead of analyzing generic "television shows," for example, you could focus on the portrayal of gender roles in reality TV programs.

Consider significance: Evaluate the significance of your chosen topic. Does it address a current issue or prevalent challenge in society? Opt for subjects that have broader implications and can generate meaningful discussions.

Uniqueness: Strive for a topic that stands out from the ordinary. Avoid overdone subjects and aim for creativity and originality. Look for unique angles or lesser-known media artifacts to analyze.

Personal interest: Lastly, choose a topic that genuinely interests you. A personal interest in the subject matter will make the writing process more enjoyable and result in a more engaging essay.

Remember, a good media analysis essay topic should be specific, relevant, unique, and align with your personal interests. Now, let's embark on an exploration of the best media analysis essay topics that meet these criteria.

The Best Media Analysis Essay Topics

The Influential Role of Social Media in Shaping Body Image Perception Among Teenagers

Analyzing the Portrayal of Mental Health in Popular TV Shows

The Impact of Media on Political Opinion Formation during Election Campaigns

Examining the Representation of Race and Ethnicity in Hollywood Movies

The Power of Advertising: Its Influence on Consumer Behavior and Purchasing Decisions

The Effects of Video Game Content on Aggression and Behavior in Young Adults

The Role of Media in Shaping Public Perception of Climate Change

The Evolution of News Media: From Traditional Outlets to Digital Platforms

Gender Stereotypes in Commercials: Analyzing Their Persistence and Impact

The Influence of Celebrity Endorsements on Brand Loyalty and Consumer Trust

Provocative Questions to Guide Your Media Analysis

To delve deeper into these media analysis essay topics, ponder these ten thought-provoking questions:

How does social media contribute to the objectification of women?

In what ways does mainstream media perpetuate racial stereotypes?

How does the portrayal of violence in video games affect children's behavior?

To what extent do advertising campaigns exploit insecurities to sell products?

How does political bias influence news reporting in mainstream media?

How do reality TV shows shape viewers' perceptions of success and failure?

What role does media play in the normalization of drug and alcohol use?

How do different news outlets cover the same event differently, and why?

In what ways do children's cartoons reinforce gender roles and stereotypes?

How does the representation of LGBTQ+ individuals in media affect societal attitudes?

Inspiring Prompts for Your Media Analysis Essay

Here are five imaginative essay prompts to ignite your creativity in the realm of media analysis:

Analyze the use of symbolism in a specific music video of your choice and examine its impact on the audience's interpretation.

Discuss how a particular news outlet's coverage of a recent event demonstrates media bias and explore its potential consequences.

Examine the marketing strategies employed in a successful viral advertising campaign and assess their effects on brand recognition and consumer behavior.

Compare and contrast the representation of technology and its impact on society in two science fiction films.

Critically analyze the portrayal of marginalized communities in a specific TV series and its influence on societal perceptions.

Frequently Asked Questions about Writing a Media Analysis Essay

• Q: How should I structure a media analysis essay?

A: A media analysis essay typically follows an introduction, body paragraphs analyzing different aspects, and a conclusion. Ensure that each paragraph focuses on a specific argument or analysis point.

• Q: Can I incorporate personal opinions in a media analysis essay?

A: While media analysis essays should strive for objectivity, you can include your interpretation and analysis of the media artifacts. However, always support your claims with evidence and examples.

• Q: How can I find relevant sources for my media analysis essay?

A: Utilize academic databases, reputable news outlets, scholarly articles, books, and credible online sources to gather relevant information and support your analysis.

• Q: Should I include a thesis statement in my media analysis essay?

A: Yes, a clear and concise thesis statement is essential in a media analysis essay. It should convey your main argument or analysis focus.

• Q: Can I analyze media artifacts from different time periods in one essay?

A: It is generally recommended to focus on a specific time period or media artifact in each essay. This approach allows for a more in-depth analysis and prevents the essay from becoming overly broad.

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Media analysis refers to the systematic examination and interpretation of media content, including various forms of media such as print, broadcast, and digital media. It involves critically analyzing and evaluating the messages, themes, and techniques employed in media to understand their impact on individuals, society, and culture.

Media analysis uncovers underlying meanings, implicit messages, and societal implications within media texts. It examines narrative structures, visual aesthetics, language use, cultural representations, and ideological biases. Researchers gain insights into meaning construction, power dynamics, and social influences in media. This analysis reveals patterns, trends, and dominant discourses, showing how media shapes public opinion and reflects societal values. By critically examining media content, media analysis deepens understanding of media's role in shaping narratives, public discourse, and socio-political dynamics.

• Media Texts: Analysis of news articles, television shows, films, advertisements, social media posts, and websites.
• Representation: Analysis of the representation of individuals, groups, events, and ideas in media. It examines how different social, cultural, and political identities are portrayed and the impact of these representations on shaping perceptions, stereotypes, and biases.
• Audience Reception: This involves examining audience responses, interpretations, and the influence of media on attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors.
• Media Institutions: It examines the ownership structures, industry practices, and policies that shape media content and its dissemination.
• Media Effects: This involves studying the influence of media on public opinion, social behavior, cultural values, and political processes.

Content Analysis, Semiotic Analysis, Discourse Analysis, Audience Research, Comparative Analysis, Historical Analysis, Critical Cultural Analysis.

The Media Analysis essay topics are crucial as they reveal how media shapes public opinion, reflects societal values, and influences cultural norms. By critically examining media content, we can uncover implicit messages, ideological biases, and power dynamics. This understanding helps to foster media literacy, enabling individuals to navigate and interpret media more effectively, and promotes informed and critical engagement with the information that shapes our world.

1. Anstead, N., & O'Loughlin, B. (2015). Social media analysis and public opinion: The 2010 UK general election. Journal of computer-mediated communication, 20(2), 204-220. (https://academic.oup.com/jcmc/article/20/2/204/4067564) 2. Ravaja, N. (2004). Contributions of psychophysiology to media research: Review and recommendations. Media Psychology, 6(2), 193-235. (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1207/s1532785xmep0602_4) 3. Stieglitz, S., & Dang-Xuan, L. (2013). Social media and political communication: a social media analytics framework. Social network analysis and mining, 3, 1277-1291. (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13278-012-0079-3) 4. Filo, K., Lock, D., & Karg, A. (2015). Sport and social media research: A review. Sport management review, 18(2), 166-181. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1441352314000904) 5. McQuail, D. (1985). Sociology of mass communication. Annual Review of Sociology, 11(1), 93-111. (https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.so.11.080185.000521) 6. Lockyer, S., & Pickering, M. (2008). You must be joking: The sociological critique of humour and comic media. Sociology Compass, 2(3), 808-820. (https://compass.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1751-9020.2008.00108.x) 7. Arsenault, A., & Castells, M. (2008). Switching power: Rupert Murdoch and the global business of media politics: A sociological analysis. International Sociology, 23(4), 488-513. (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0268580908090725 )

Relevant topics

• Social Media
• Effects of Social Media
• Personal Identity
• Sociological Imagination
• American Identity
• Cultural Appropriation
• Sex, Gender and Sexuality

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How to Do a Media Analysis

Last Updated: February 9, 2024

This article was co-authored by Noah Taxis . Noah Taxis is an English Teacher based in San Francisco, California. He has taught as a credentialed teacher for over four years: first at Mountain View High School as a 9th- and 11th-grade English Teacher, then at UISA (Ukiah Independent Study Academy) as a Middle School Independent Study Teacher. He is now a high school English teacher at St. Ignatius College Preparatory School in San Francisco. He received an MA in Secondary Education and Teaching from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Education. He also received an MA in Comparative and World Literature from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a BA in International Literary & Visual Studies and English from Tufts University. This article has been viewed 40,868 times.

A media analysis reviews a broad swath of news stories on a given subject. Media professionals may use media analysis to decide how to frame a story that they want to publish, such as by helping them choose specific terms and rhetorical appeals to use. This is also a common assignment in communications and journalism courses, so you might also do this as a student. Start by collecting news stories and then analyze them by asking and answering questions about them.

Collecting Stories to Analyze

• For example, you may include the local newspaper, radio station, web news sources, and possibly any major news sources in the nearest big city if you’re in a rural area or suburb.
• Alternatively, you might want to focus on national or worldwide news sources to analyze a larger company or subject.

• For example, if you’re conducting a media analysis of the controversy over a major highway construction project in your city, then you might include terms like, “highway construction,” “highway controversy,” “construction budget concerns,” etc.

• Make sure to include a variety of different types of media sources unless you’re hoping to examine a specific medium, such as TV, radio, or print news.

Tip : If desired, you may expand your search to cover a longer period of time, such as 12 months. This may result in a more thorough study of the topic.

• Separating the data into categories can help you know what to expect when you start reading a story.

Analyzing the Stories

• Buzzwords, which are terms that come up again and again across different media channels.
• Bias, which is using emotional appeals to convince readers of something even if the evidence is lacking.
• Similar portrayals of a story, such as portraying it in a positive or negative light across different media channels.
• Positioning of the story, such as whether it’s a front-page or prime-time news story.

Tip : The length of the story may also help you to determine its importance. For example, if it's a short story that appears on one page, the news outlet may deem it less important than something that takes up multiple pages.

• How does the media frame this topic?
• Who are the spokespeople for the topic and how are they being represented?
• Are any voices noticeably absent from the articles on this subject?
• What topics are getting the most coverage within the category?
• What media outlets are covering this topic?
• Does coverage seem to peak or drop at certain times of the year?

• For example, if you have noted that most news outlets portray your subject using a set of buzzwords and a similar level of bias, then you may describe and discuss these.

• For example, if the sources you consulted all portray a public concern in a similar light, then you might want to adopt this method of framing your topic as well.

Structuring a Media Analysis Essay

• For example, you might begin by saying that your topic is an upcoming election in your community and that you wanted to do a media analysis to determine how to introduce your own story on the topic. Then, you might conclude by saying what media channels have in common in their presentation of this topic.

Tip : Make sure to clarify any special terms or details that your readers might not understand in this section as well.

• What aspects of the topic are being covered?
• What buzzwords do the media channels use?
• Do the media channels tend to show bias on the subject, and if so, how?

• This can help you to determine what types of spokespeople to include in your own article.

• For example, you might notice that the “hero takes a fall” archetype is used frequently for the articles in your topic area. This might mean that choosing this frame for your story could be beneficial.

• For example, if you recommend including a business professional, professor, and a member of the community in coverage of a story, cite the data you have collected that shows these spokespeople as the picks for stories on your topic.

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• ↑ https://penandthepad.com/how-2317746-write-media-analysis-papers.html
• ↑ http://www.pointk.org/resources/files/gould_media.pdf
• ↑ https://ecu.au.libguides.com/research-methodologies-creative-arts-humanities/media-analysis

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• How to write a literary analysis essay | A step-by-step guide

How to Write a Literary Analysis Essay | A Step-by-Step Guide

Published on January 30, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on August 14, 2023.

Literary analysis means closely studying a text, interpreting its meanings, and exploring why the author made certain choices. It can be applied to novels, short stories, plays, poems, or any other form of literary writing.

A literary analysis essay is not a rhetorical analysis , nor is it just a summary of the plot or a book review. Instead, it is a type of argumentative essay where you need to analyze elements such as the language, perspective, and structure of the text, and explain how the author uses literary devices to create effects and convey ideas.

Before beginning a literary analysis essay, it’s essential to carefully read the text and c ome up with a thesis statement to keep your essay focused. As you write, follow the standard structure of an academic essay :

• An introduction that tells the reader what your essay will focus on.
• A main body, divided into paragraphs , that builds an argument using evidence from the text.
• A conclusion that clearly states the main point that you have shown with your analysis.

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Table of contents

Step 1: reading the text and identifying literary devices, step 2: coming up with a thesis, step 3: writing a title and introduction, step 4: writing the body of the essay, step 5: writing a conclusion, other interesting articles.

The first step is to carefully read the text(s) and take initial notes. As you read, pay attention to the things that are most intriguing, surprising, or even confusing in the writing—these are things you can dig into in your analysis.

Your goal in literary analysis is not simply to explain the events described in the text, but to analyze the writing itself and discuss how the text works on a deeper level. Primarily, you’re looking out for literary devices —textual elements that writers use to convey meaning and create effects. If you’re comparing and contrasting multiple texts, you can also look for connections between different texts.

To get started with your analysis, there are several key areas that you can focus on. As you analyze each aspect of the text, try to think about how they all relate to each other. You can use highlights or notes to keep track of important passages and quotes.

Language choices

Consider what style of language the author uses. Are the sentences short and simple or more complex and poetic?

What word choices stand out as interesting or unusual? Are words used figuratively to mean something other than their literal definition? Figurative language includes things like metaphor (e.g. “her eyes were oceans”) and simile (e.g. “her eyes were like oceans”).

Also keep an eye out for imagery in the text—recurring images that create a certain atmosphere or symbolize something important. Remember that language is used in literary texts to say more than it means on the surface.

Narrative voice

Ask yourself:

• Who is telling the story?
• How are they telling it?

Is it a first-person narrator (“I”) who is personally involved in the story, or a third-person narrator who tells us about the characters from a distance?

Consider the narrator’s perspective . Is the narrator omniscient (where they know everything about all the characters and events), or do they only have partial knowledge? Are they an unreliable narrator who we are not supposed to take at face value? Authors often hint that their narrator might be giving us a distorted or dishonest version of events.

The tone of the text is also worth considering. Is the story intended to be comic, tragic, or something else? Are usually serious topics treated as funny, or vice versa ? Is the story realistic or fantastical (or somewhere in between)?

Consider how the text is structured, and how the structure relates to the story being told.

• Novels are often divided into chapters and parts.
• Poems are divided into lines, stanzas, and sometime cantos.
• Plays are divided into scenes and acts.

Think about why the author chose to divide the different parts of the text in the way they did.

There are also less formal structural elements to take into account. Does the story unfold in chronological order, or does it jump back and forth in time? Does it begin in medias res —in the middle of the action? Does the plot advance towards a clearly defined climax?

With poetry, consider how the rhyme and meter shape your understanding of the text and your impression of the tone. Try reading the poem aloud to get a sense of this.

In a play, you might consider how relationships between characters are built up through different scenes, and how the setting relates to the action. Watch out for  dramatic irony , where the audience knows some detail that the characters don’t, creating a double meaning in their words, thoughts, or actions.

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Your thesis in a literary analysis essay is the point you want to make about the text. It’s the core argument that gives your essay direction and prevents it from just being a collection of random observations about a text.

If you’re given a prompt for your essay, your thesis must answer or relate to the prompt. For example:

Essay question example

Is Franz Kafka’s “Before the Law” a religious parable?

Your thesis statement should be an answer to this question—not a simple yes or no, but a statement of why this is or isn’t the case:

Thesis statement example

Franz Kafka’s “Before the Law” is not a religious parable, but a story about bureaucratic alienation.

Sometimes you’ll be given freedom to choose your own topic; in this case, you’ll have to come up with an original thesis. Consider what stood out to you in the text; ask yourself questions about the elements that interested you, and consider how you might answer them.

Your thesis should be something arguable—that is, something that you think is true about the text, but which is not a simple matter of fact. It must be complex enough to develop through evidence and arguments across the course of your essay.

Say you’re analyzing the novel Frankenstein . You could start by asking yourself:

Your initial answer might be a surface-level description:

The character Frankenstein is portrayed negatively in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein .

However, this statement is too simple to be an interesting thesis. After reading the text and analyzing its narrative voice and structure, you can develop the answer into a more nuanced and arguable thesis statement:

Mary Shelley uses shifting narrative perspectives to portray Frankenstein in an increasingly negative light as the novel goes on. While he initially appears to be a naive but sympathetic idealist, after the creature’s narrative Frankenstein begins to resemble—even in his own telling—the thoughtlessly cruel figure the creature represents him as.

Remember that you can revise your thesis statement throughout the writing process , so it doesn’t need to be perfectly formulated at this stage. The aim is to keep you focused as you analyze the text.

Finding textual evidence

To support your thesis statement, your essay will build an argument using textual evidence —specific parts of the text that demonstrate your point. This evidence is quoted and analyzed throughout your essay to explain your argument to the reader.

It can be useful to comb through the text in search of relevant quotations before you start writing. You might not end up using everything you find, and you may have to return to the text for more evidence as you write, but collecting textual evidence from the beginning will help you to structure your arguments and assess whether they’re convincing.

To start your literary analysis paper, you’ll need two things: a good title, and an introduction.

Your title should clearly indicate what your analysis will focus on. It usually contains the name of the author and text(s) you’re analyzing. Keep it as concise and engaging as possible.

A common approach to the title is to use a relevant quote from the text, followed by a colon and then the rest of your title.

If you struggle to come up with a good title at first, don’t worry—this will be easier once you’ve begun writing the essay and have a better sense of your arguments.

“Fearful symmetry” : The violence of creation in William Blake’s “The Tyger”

The introduction

The essay introduction provides a quick overview of where your argument is going. It should include your thesis statement and a summary of the essay’s structure.

A typical structure for an introduction is to begin with a general statement about the text and author, using this to lead into your thesis statement. You might refer to a commonly held idea about the text and show how your thesis will contradict it, or zoom in on a particular device you intend to focus on.

Then you can end with a brief indication of what’s coming up in the main body of the essay. This is called signposting. It will be more elaborate in longer essays, but in a short five-paragraph essay structure, it shouldn’t be more than one sentence.

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale about the dangers of scientific advancement unrestrained by ethical considerations. In this reading, protagonist Victor Frankenstein is a stable representation of the callous ambition of modern science throughout the novel. This essay, however, argues that far from providing a stable image of the character, Shelley uses shifting narrative perspectives to portray Frankenstein in an increasingly negative light as the novel goes on. While he initially appears to be a naive but sympathetic idealist, after the creature’s narrative Frankenstein begins to resemble—even in his own telling—the thoughtlessly cruel figure the creature represents him as. This essay begins by exploring the positive portrayal of Frankenstein in the first volume, then moves on to the creature’s perception of him, and finally discusses the third volume’s narrative shift toward viewing Frankenstein as the creature views him.

Some students prefer to write the introduction later in the process, and it’s not a bad idea. After all, you’ll have a clearer idea of the overall shape of your arguments once you’ve begun writing them!

If you do write the introduction first, you should still return to it later to make sure it lines up with what you ended up writing, and edit as necessary.

The body of your essay is everything between the introduction and conclusion. It contains your arguments and the textual evidence that supports them.

Paragraph structure

A typical structure for a high school literary analysis essay consists of five paragraphs : the three paragraphs of the body, plus the introduction and conclusion.

Each paragraph in the main body should focus on one topic. In the five-paragraph model, try to divide your argument into three main areas of analysis, all linked to your thesis. Don’t try to include everything you can think of to say about the text—only analysis that drives your argument.

In longer essays, the same principle applies on a broader scale. For example, you might have two or three sections in your main body, each with multiple paragraphs. Within these sections, you still want to begin new paragraphs at logical moments—a turn in the argument or the introduction of a new idea.

Robert’s first encounter with Gil-Martin suggests something of his sinister power. Robert feels “a sort of invisible power that drew me towards him.” He identifies the moment of their meeting as “the beginning of a series of adventures which has puzzled myself, and will puzzle the world when I am no more in it” (p. 89). Gil-Martin’s “invisible power” seems to be at work even at this distance from the moment described; before continuing the story, Robert feels compelled to anticipate at length what readers will make of his narrative after his approaching death. With this interjection, Hogg emphasizes the fatal influence Gil-Martin exercises from his first appearance.

Topic sentences

To keep your points focused, it’s important to use a topic sentence at the beginning of each paragraph.

A good topic sentence allows a reader to see at a glance what the paragraph is about. It can introduce a new line of argument and connect or contrast it with the previous paragraph. Transition words like “however” or “moreover” are useful for creating smooth transitions:

… The story’s focus, therefore, is not upon the divine revelation that may be waiting beyond the door, but upon the mundane process of aging undergone by the man as he waits.

Nevertheless, the “radiance” that appears to stream from the door is typically treated as religious symbolism.

This topic sentence signals that the paragraph will address the question of religious symbolism, while the linking word “nevertheless” points out a contrast with the previous paragraph’s conclusion.

Using textual evidence

A key part of literary analysis is backing up your arguments with relevant evidence from the text. This involves introducing quotes from the text and explaining their significance to your point.

It’s important to contextualize quotes and explain why you’re using them; they should be properly introduced and analyzed, not treated as self-explanatory:

It isn’t always necessary to use a quote. Quoting is useful when you’re discussing the author’s language, but sometimes you’ll have to refer to plot points or structural elements that can’t be captured in a short quote.

In these cases, it’s more appropriate to paraphrase or summarize parts of the text—that is, to describe the relevant part in your own words:

The conclusion of your analysis shouldn’t introduce any new quotations or arguments. Instead, it’s about wrapping up the essay. Here, you summarize your key points and try to emphasize their significance to the reader.

A good way to approach this is to briefly summarize your key arguments, and then stress the conclusion they’ve led you to, highlighting the new perspective your thesis provides on the text as a whole:

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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By tracing the depiction of Frankenstein through the novel’s three volumes, I have demonstrated how the narrative structure shifts our perception of the character. While the Frankenstein of the first volume is depicted as having innocent intentions, the second and third volumes—first in the creature’s accusatory voice, and then in his own voice—increasingly undermine him, causing him to appear alternately ridiculous and vindictive. Far from the one-dimensional villain he is often taken to be, the character of Frankenstein is compelling because of the dynamic narrative frame in which he is placed. In this frame, Frankenstein’s narrative self-presentation responds to the images of him we see from others’ perspectives. This conclusion sheds new light on the novel, foregrounding Shelley’s unique layering of narrative perspectives and its importance for the depiction of character.

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Caulfield, J. (2023, August 14). How to Write a Literary Analysis Essay | A Step-by-Step Guide. Scribbr. Retrieved August 27, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/literary-analysis/

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Top Reviewed AI Essay Writing Tools for 2024

Published 1:57 pm Thursday, August 22, 2024

By Sponsored Content

Did you ever use AI essay writing tools for your school or college assignments and become disappointed with the writing style and repetition? Some writing tools claim to enhance your writing skills, but they often produce artificial and generic content. 

To assist you with selecting the ideal tool, we examined various top-rated AI essay writers that students commonly recommend. 

Now, we’ll discuss our findings and explain which tool delivers on its promises. Stay tuned till the end for some bonus recommendations!

Factors To Consider For Reviewing AI Essay Writing Tools

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We focused on several factors to ensure a fair and comprehensive evaluation of AI tools. 

Accuracy and Reliability : We analyzed how effectively each tool detected grammar errors and improved writing quality.

Ease of Use: We looked for tools that were easy to use, even for people who needed to gain technical knowledge.

Features : We investigated what each tool could achieve. Some excel at correcting grammar and spelling, while others assist with writing style, structure, and content creation.

Customization Options : We checked the tools that let users customize their writing style, tone, and word choices to fit their needs.

Cost and Accessibility : We assessed if the tools were affordable and easy to use, such as whether they had a free version or required a subscription. 

Best reviewed AI essay writers are mentioned below:

• MyEssayWriter.ai – Best AI-Powered Writing Tool
• PerfectEssayWriter.ai –  Premium AI Writing Assistance
• EssayService.ai –  Comprehensive AI Essay Writing Tool
• Jasper.ai – Cutting-Edge AI Content Creation Tool

MyEssayWriter.ai: Best AI-Powered Writing Tool

The first tool assessed is a well known essay writer among students. This platform is both visually appealing and user-friendly. It also provides a free trial for its users. Specifically, their ‘AI Essay Writer’ tools, allow users to specify academic writing providing comprehensive directions. 

Key Tools Offered:

• Humanizer: This feature made our essay sound more natural and human-like.
• Paraphrasing tool: By using this tool, the essay was rephrased without changing the context.
• Summarizer: This tool condensed the essay, highlighting key points concisely.
•  Produces unique, high-quality, plagiarism-free essays on any topic.
•  Automates content creation to save time for other tasks.
•  Enhances writing skills through interaction with generated content.
•  Employs advanced NLP for effective analysis and interpretation of complex information.
• Access to the full range of features requires a subscription, which might be a financial barrier for some students.

User Experience

Overall, MyEssayWriter.ai provides a powerful and user-friendly set of tools that considerably improve the essay writing process. Its efficiency in producing high-quality, original content makes it an invaluable resource for students and academic writers seeking to improve their work.

PerfectEssayWriter.ai: Premium AI Writing Assistance

PerfectEssayWriter.ai provides students with a range of modern writing tools to help them improve their skills, including a citation generator, grammar checking, and plagiarism detection.

This AI Essay Writer allows students to easily enhance their essay writing capabilities. This tool has been praised for its usefulness and is a valuable academic resource for students seeking excellence in essay writing.

Key Tools Offered

• Citation generator: It helped us create academic citations in various formats according to requirements.
• T hesis statement generator: It assisted in creating a concise summary of the main point or claim of an essay or research paper.
• Grammar checker: It checks text for grammatical errors and suggests making corrections.
• It provides reliable grammar checking.
• The tool provides original, conclusive, and cohesive content, following the input properly. 
• It offers useful academic tools i.e., thesis statement generator, to help write academic content.
• Over-dependence on AI algorithms might affect your essay-writing skills. 

PerfectEssayWriter.ai is a reliable tool for swiftly producing precise essays along with citations and annotations. Its extensive feature set and user-friendly interface make it beneficial for students and researchers alike. 

EssayService.ai: Effortless Essay Generation

This AI writing tool has a user-friendly interface that influences students to write effortlessly and earn good grades in academics. The essay generator is particularly notable for assisting students and writers in crafting well-structured and clear essays.

This essay writer tool employs powerful natural language processing algorithms to evaluate prompts, generate ideas, and produce content tailored to specific requirements.

• Essay Topic Generator: The tool provided creative and relevant topics following the provided input.
• Paragraph Generator: Generated structure and coherent paragraphs based on a given topic or keywords. 
• Thesis statement generator: It helped us in creating a concise and effective thesis statement for an essay.

Pros of EssayService.ai

• Quickly get a well-structured essay. AI analyzes your topic and generates coherent content, saving time and effort.
• It provides plagiarism-free, original content.
• Generates citations in different styles of writing within 90 seconds.

Cons of EssayService.ai

• This tool is not available offline.

EssayService.ai transforms the process of essay composition, offering user-friendly design and advanced AI technology effortlessly. Instantly generate essays that are not only coherent but also organized, complemented by features that streamline the copying and downloading process.

Jasper.ai stands out as a user-friendly platform that simplifies creative content generation. When users enter their topic into the provided space, the system quickly processes the data to generate a comprehensive reply. The tool is suitable for blog posts and other marketing purposes but not preferable for students as it does not offer tools for academic writing.

• Blog post generator: The tool is preferable for professional copywriters and helps them generate relevant content
• Social media caption generator: Drives captions for social media posts and participates in marketing campaigns 

Pros of Jasper.ai:

• Jasper.ai is capable of generating quality content quickly, which can be particularly beneficial for copywriters and bloggers.
• The content produced is of high quality, making it a potential asset for content creators seeking to maintain a high standard in their work.

 Cons of Jasper.ai:

• This tool is not ideal for academic essay writing.
• The pricing structure of Jasper.ai is quite high for users without a free trial.
• It does not include citations, which means users will need to verify facts independently.

Jasper.ai offers an impressive suite of features that can greatly aid in articles and copywriting. However, the cost factor may influence the decision of potential users. Jasper.ai is not useful for students as it does not support academic writing, but it could be a worthwhile investment for professionals. The balance between its user friendly nature and the expense involved will be a key consideration for anyone considering this tool.

To sum up, AI undoubtedly improves your writing in certain aspects. While some people object to its usage in writing, they cannot deny that it allows you to boost your productivity.

After spending a significant amount of time testing, we found the best AI writing tools and are pleased to report that MyEssayWriter.ai is the most effective AI writing assistant overall. 

However, PerfectEssayWriter.ai can be your go-to resource for precise and simple citations. EssayService.ai also delivers impressive results as it is ideal for academic writing, particularly with its essay topic generator and paragraph generator.

Jasper offers innovative solutions that can significantly enhance your writing workflow and productivity, especially when writing blog posts. Due to its lack of accuracy and cost, it is not considered by students and professors.

We have reviewed the tools, and now you can choose the best one to use for academic purposes. 

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