Your Guide to the Analytical Paper

If you have a subject in the humanities or social sciences, chances are you may be asked to create an analytical paper. In such a task, you may be asked to analyze the hows or whys done in a particular work (novel, poem, or another form of art) or event.

Although such papers are generally easier than experimental research papers, the analytical paper is still quite complex because of the amount of reading needed and critical thinking. So if you have been assigned such a paper, continue reading to discover more about how to write it.

  • Tip 1: Clarify the question (if you are confused)

Sometimes your teacher’s instructions may be a bit ambiguous, causing you to wonder if you fully understood. Instead of guessing or asking a classmate, it is better to consult with your teacher. If you are embarrassed about sounding like you do not know anything, ask specific questions about what you believe it might be: “Is this for all the author’s writings? or just the major ones?” Asking in such a manner shows you understood something as compared to blurting out something like this: “So what should I do? I don’t get it.”

  • Tip 2: Be thorough in your reading

If you want a good grade, you will need to read a lot of different sources. Doing so will give you the information you need to present the different angles of the topic. Refrain from being lazy by just looking at one or two sources or going straight to sample answers found on the internet.

  • Tip 3: Take notes as you read

If you want to avoid rereading everything, take good notes as you read each source. You should include the source’s details and the page where you found the details. This is a big time saver as it can become quite confusing to remember everything once you have passed your third source.

  • Tip 4: Make an outline before writing

Though analytical papers are not as long as other research papers, you will still write a lot - anywhere from 5 to 15 pages, depending on the teacher. Because it is easy to lose your way as you write, it is best to make a brief outline of how you will tackle your paper. Include interesting facts you wish to highlight in the Intro and even the Conclusion. And of course, make sure you list down the major arguments for the issue.

  • Tip 5: Cite sources in the arguments

To prevent your paper from looking like an opinion paper, each argument should have a corresponding reference to something. This reference can pertain to a theory, data, or a quote from another author.

  • Tip 6: List all your references

Something teachers hate to see is a paper where a cited reference is not included in the reference section. So always make sure all your sources are properly listed at the end.

Summary

Analytical papers are not your usual opinionated essays. It requires research and a lot of thinking. So take note of the tips above so you can submit a great analytical paper. And don't hesitate to hire a writing professional and pay to write my research paper at reliable writing company. You don't have to struggle with your paper when help is just one click away. Happy writing!