An analytical essay (generally 750-2000 words, or 3-8 pages) is shaped around a judgment you
have made after your review of any set of materials -- several documents, two
monographs, the whole term's reading.
That judgment
is your THESIS, and it is announced at the beginning of your essay. The
remaining paragraphs of your essay systematically lay out the sub-points that
all together constitute your argument in defense of your thesis. The first
sentence of each paragraph should clearly announce what point will be expounded
in that paragraph -- just as the opening paragraph of your essay announces its
thesis. The last paragraph of the essay pulls your argument together,
repeats essential points, and affirms the thesis.
Help:
There is no need to hand in a preliminary draft. It might be very
useful to submit in advance, however, the first paragraph and the topic
sentences for all subsequent paragraphs OR a detailed outline.
Generally, if these are in good form, the essay that emerges from them will be
very successful.
Grading:
The grade is based on: (1) your concept, announced as a thesis in your first
paragraph; (2) structure and logic, how you organize your paper and defend your
thesis; (3) execution, fine points of writing and presentation.
Format:
- normal font (11 or 12 point)
- double-spaced
- 1-inch margins
- page numbers (upper right, bottom center are good)
- footnotes not necessary -- you may give author's
name and page number in parentheses following references or quotations
Submission:
- Submit your essay using the
Digital Drop Box
(click for instructions), reached from the Tools module on your Blackboard
menu. Remember to Send, not Add (or to Send after you have added your
paper).
Originality:
