An analytical essay (ranging between 600-2500 words, or
2-8 pages, depending on the instructor's guidelines for the individual
assignment) 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.
You may find it 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
- 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 electronically through
Blackboard. .
Originality:
- All work should be original. Consider the College
statement on Academic Honesty:
All students are
expected to comply with guidelines for
academic honesty.
The text of the college's
policy follows:
The
faculty and administration of Brooklyn College support an
environment free from cheating and plagiarism. Each student
is responsible for being aware of what constitutes cheating
and plagiarism and for avoiding both. The complete text of
the CUNY Academic Integrity Policy and the Brooklyn College
procedure for implementing that policy can be found at this
site:
http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bc/policies. If a faculty
member suspects a violation of academic integrity and, upon
investigation, confirms that violation, or if the student
admits the violation, the faculty member MUST report the
violation.
