Writing a Textual Analysis

A Pre-Writing

B Writing

C Post Writing

1.

3. Write your introduction

6. EDIT, EDIT, EDIT

Read both pieces several times before

making a choice.
Annotate the passage (make
comments, marks, highlights).

2.

Make detailed notes of ideas and

evidence relating to the main theme
or idea presented in the piece.
Plan your thesis based on your rough
notes.
Discuss as many of the following as
possible:

Content and Purpose

Audience
Point of View
Tone
Diction
Imagery
Syntax
Layout multimodality?
Conclusion

(see class notes for further

information)

- brief (no more than 150 words)

- state text and genre
- state contextual information
- state thesis (see class notes for further
information)
- state your focus (what specifically you
will be analyzing)

4. Write the body of your analysis

- at least 4-5 paragraphs

- focus on the effect of the devices, not
just the device.
- Each paragraph should include

Point Proof (quotation) Comment (PPC)

5.Write your conclusion

- Did you find the text effective?
- What was the message?
- Was it effectively conveyed to you the
audience?
- What are other possible interpretations of the text
based on different contexts?
- Personal opinions can be included here

If this is a summative assessment,

you should be writing at least one
draft before you begin your final copy
for submission.
If this in on an exam, leave yourself
enough time to read over your paper,
check for errors and clarity.

7.
Relax.
You are done.

Pre Writing Step 2: Make Detailed Notes of Ideas and Evidence

Conten
t

Diction

Purpos
e

Syntax

Point of
View

Imagery

Audien
ce

Layout

Tone

Conclusio
n