Writing the Analytical Essay

1. Writing the Analytical Essay

2. What does it mean to analyze? • Analyze means “to separate a subject into its parts (analyze), or the act or result of doing so” (Kennedy, Kennedy, and Aaron 692). • The process of analyzing involves breaking an object into its parts and examining those parts.

3. Analyzing for Essay Writing • When analyzing a piece of writing, first examine your response to the elements of the work. • Brainstorm your ideas about the work you are analyzing. • Create a working thesis (statement of purpose) about the piece you are analyzing.

4. Analyzing a Piece of Literature • Whether your assignment is to analyze an essay, short story, or novel, there are certain steps you can follow in the process of analytical writing. • Summarizing the original piece of writing will result in interpreting the work in your own original way.

5. Analyzing a Piece of Literature, Continued • Works of fiction are often complicated and open to interpretation. Likewise, articles and other types of nonfiction are often biased. • In the process of analyzing a work of fiction or nonfiction, it is the writer’s job to find unsubstantiated claims or to search for hidden meaning and messages.

6. Analyzing a Work of Fiction • If you are analyzing a short story or novel, look for the author’s use of symbolism. For example, colors often stand for broad ideas. Green can convey envy, money, or fertility. • Also, look for allusions to historic or cultural events. Understanding and explaining such indirect references will help you get at the deeper meaning of the story.

7. Analyzing a Work of Fiction, Continued • In the process of analysis, consider the basic plot (your summary), the characters (protagonist, antagonist, and all others), and the setting of the story (time and location). • Consider the point of view from which the story is related (first person, third person omniscient, or third person objective). • Focus on an interesting or complex character or problem in the plot.

8. Analyzing a Work of Nonfiction • Analyze the claim the author is making. What is the author’s main point? How does the author support that point? Is the support sufficient? Is that support valid? • Base your thesis on agreeing or disagreeing with the author’s point of view on the topic of the work.

9. Constructing Your Essay • Like any type of essay, an analytical essay consists of an introductory paragraph ending with a thesis statement, supporting body paragraphs, and a strong concluding paragraph. • Make sure that all the supporting evidence in your body paragraphs directly support your thesis.

10. Conclusion • An analytical essay involves a great deal of critical think on the part of the writer. • The reward at the end of the process is an original creation.

11. References • Kennedy, Kennedy, and Aaron. The Bedford • Reader. 10th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, • 2009. • Kies, Daniel. “Writing an Analysis.” The • Hypertext Books. 2009. http://papyr.com/ • Hypertet books/comp2/analysis. htm. • “Literature (Fiction).” The Writing Center. • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. • http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb.

12. Title: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Askaban: the Making of a Brilliant Climax • Hook: A mythical beast, winged and ferocious, an incantation that shifts time, and a charm to fight the most powerful evil instantly capture the reader’s imagination.

13. Bridge: Not only do these elements of fantasy inspire and delight the reader, but each serves as one cord in the braid that is the brilliant climax to Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Askaban.

14. Thesis statement: J.K. Rowling has created one of the most surprising and fulfilling turning points in children’s literature by combining time travel, a battle against dementors, beings that suck all happiness from the human soul, and a flight on a hippogriff.

15. Body paragraph 1(transition and topic sentence) • To start the action off, a hippogriff, a winged creature with the body of a horse, talons of a lion and the head of an eagle, is introduced during a Care of Magical Creatures class. The teacher, Rubeus Hagrid, warns the students that the hippogriff can be ferocious and to treat the beast with the greatest of respect.

16. Body paragraph 1, background information • Harry follows Hagrid’s instructions carefully, looking directly at the beast from a respectful distance until the hippogriff decides to bow and allow him to mount it. He is rewarded with a breath-taking flight and a brilliant view of the grounds of Hogwarts, the magical school he attends.

17. Body paragraph 1, continued • Harry’s rival, Draco Malfoy, who has no respect for Hagrid, ignores his instructions and, after approaching the beast in an improper way, is attacked by the hippogriff, suffering minor injury. The lesson is halted and Hagrid, fearful that Draco’s politically powerful father will punish the beast, is in despair.

18. Body paragraph 1, continued • As the action progresses, the hippogriff is put on trial for wounding Draco, and is condemned to death. The Minister of Magic and an executioner arrive at Hagrid’s cottage, the hippogriff chained outside, to carry out the sentence. Harry and Hermione are on their way back to Hogwarts castle after a brief visit with Hagrid. They feel powerless they can do nothing to assist their beloved teacher and friend.

19. Body paragraph 1—substantial, relevant textual evidence • At this point in the story the reader believes the hippogriff is in fact executed, since Harry and Hermione hear an ax chop into a block of wood and a loud shout from the executioner. However, at the climax, the reader, like our heroes Harry and Hermione, experiences the magic of time travel when Hermione, at the suggestion of the headmaster of Hogwarts, pulls a small hourglass on a chain from out the neck of her robes, a magical hourglass that she has been given so she can travel back in time. (Rowling 536)

20. Body paragraph 1, quote with citation. • Dumbledore is careful to warn Harry and Hermione that time travel is a very dangerous kind of magic. They must be sure to stay out of sight from themselves in their quest to save the hippogriff or they may cause themselves to become insane or worse. He warns, “If all goes well, you will be able to save more than one innocent life tonight. But remember this, both of you: you must not be seen. Miss Granger, you know the law—you know what is at stake” (Rowling 536). Later, Hermione is more specific about the dangers: “Loads of them [wizards who used time travel] ended up killing their past or future selves by mistake” (Rowling 543).

21. Body paragraph 1, synthesis statement that wraps up the paragraph and transitions clearly to the next paragraph. • Harry and Hermione are able, in fact, to elude themselves as they walk along the edge of the Forbidden Forest back to Hagrid’s yard. Using split second timing, they free the hippogriff and bring him safely to the woods, leading them to another astounding magical event, a battle with dementors.

22. Body paragraph 2 (transition and topic sentence) • Because Harry and Hermione have travelled back in time, they are about to witness their battle with the dementors, but from the opposite side of the lake. They have already lived through the experience of having faced the dementors, Hermione losing consciousness and Harry holding them off with a weak “Patronis” charm but eventually falling to the ground beside Hermione.

23. Each body paragraph contains a clear explanation of how the evidence supports the topic sentence. Contains a clear analysis of all meanings and inferences. • From his new vantage point, he can see himself across the lake, desperately trying to ward off the dementors with his weak charm. Time traveling Harry realizes he has to create a patronis to save himself and Hermione, so he uses his wand and chants “EXPECTO PATRONUM” (Rowling 559)! A beautiful stag made of light and power leaps from his wand and protects the children on the other side of the lake until help arrives.

24. Body Paragraph 2, continued • Harry explains afterward, “I knew I could do it this time. . .I’d already done it. Does that make sense” (Rowling 561)? Therefore, having lived through the event once and seen the Patronis created by some mysterious savior across the lake, he realizes when he time travels, that he is the savior: he simply had to find the courage within himself to take action.

25. Body paragraph 2, synthesis statement that wraps up the paragraph and transitions clearly to the next paragraph • Once Harry has achieved this remarkable feat, he is ready to move into action with one more heroic act: mounting the hippogriff and saving Sirius Black.

26. Body paragraph 3(transition and topic sentence) • Almost at the end of the three hours they have been given for magical time travel, Harry and Hermione stand with Buckbeak, the hippogriff in the Forbidden Forest. Earlier, Dumbledore had told them that Sirius Black was locked in the west tower, on the seventh floor, thirteenth window from the right (Rowling 536). They mount Buckbeak and fly through the night to find. Sirius.

27. Body Paragraph 3, continued • Sirius sees them outside his window and, after Hermioney opens the window with her magic wand, he joyfully joins them on the back of Buckbeak, congratulating Harry on his courage and letting him know how proud his father would be of Harry’s actions. Safely landed and preparing to flee to a place far from the dementors, Sirius says to Harry, “You are—truly your father’s son, Harry. . .” (Rowling 565).

28. Body paragraph 3, synthesis statement that wraps up the paragraph and transitions clearly to the next paragraph • Thus the third strand of the climax is woven and the reader is left with a feeling of elation at Harry’s and Hermione’s quick thinking and daring in this magical, ion-charged atmosphere.

29. Conclusion—topic sentence that rewords the initial thesis; each argument is mentioned (but no new ones are added). • While The Prisoner of Askaban is a book many readers appreciate for the great characters and exciting action, it is also a book that stands at the pinnacle of young adult literature because of its stunning climax. J.K. Rowling has created one of the most surprising and fulfilling turning points in children’s literature by combining time travel, a battle against dementors, and Harry’s and Hermione’s flight on a hippogriff to rescue Sirius Black.

30. Conclusion—final statement leaving the reader with something profound or meaningful to consider. • Not only is the reader thrilled by the carefully crafted climax, but also by Harry’s actions as he find the courage to take control of his destiny.