THE FIVE BASIC COMPONENTS OF AN ANALYTICAL PARAGRAPH:

You write an analytical paragraph in response to a question about literature. For example, you
would not respond in an analytical paragraph to the question of “What is the plot of the novel
Animal Farm? However, you would respond in an analytical paragraph to this question, “In
what ways do the pigs abuse their power in Animal Farm?” The analytical paragraph lays out
and explains the evidence that supports your idea. Each analytical paragraph should include
the following:

 Topic Sentence: this tells the reader what your paragraph is about; it is the main idea of
that paragraph. It should be the first sentence of your paragraph. Your topic sentence
cannot be a factual statement. It must be something that can be argued for or
against.
 Context for your textual evidence: for each piece of evidence you choose, you must
orient the reader to what is going on in the text. What is happening in the text in the
pages where your quotation is found in the book. As a rule, do not write more than
two sentences of context. Do not summarize the entire story here.
 Textual Evidence: This is a short sentence or passage which you copy directly, word for
word, from the text because you want to use it as evidence to prove your topic
sentence. You need to put quotation marks (“ “) around it because the words are
written by somebody else. Remember, your quote is your evidence and must support
what you are trying to argue.
 Analysis: Explain in your own words how your evidence supports your topic sentence.
Talk about specific words, phrases, or ideas found in your evidence. Make specific
connections between your evidence and the topic sentence. Do not just restate the
quote or summarize the story. Analysis should be a minimum of ten sentences.
 Concluding/Transition Sentence: If you are writing just one analytical paragraph then
this sentence serves as your conclusion. It answers the question “what is your point?”
It should tie back to the topic sentence.
Example of an Analytical Paragraph:

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 To better understand drafting a well-planned argument, let’s take a look at an example
of a concise analytical paragraph.
 A topic sentence that details the main point of the paragraph: the following topic
sentence is clear and identifies the main point of the paragraph.
Alexander the Great was a successful ruler because he created long lasting effects on
cultures that still continue to this day.
 Example: Think of an example that helps support your idea or topic sentence. Here, the
writer introduces the example with a transitional phrase (“for example”) and uses a
specific historical detail (“Hellenistic Society”).
An example of his legacy would be the creation of Hellenistic Society.
 Explanation of Example (What does this specific example mean? Be specific. Expand
your example by providing additional important details. The writer here defines
“Hellenistic Society”. This further explains the historical detail to reader.
The term Hellenistic refers to the combination of Greek, Persian, and Egyptian
cultures. During this remarkable time, people were encouraged to pursue a formal
education and develop many different kinds of art. New forms of math, science, and
art design made a great impact on contemporary society.
 How does the example prove your idea (Why is the example important? How does it
support the main claim of your topic sentence?) The writer answers the question: Why
is this example important? There is a clear connection made to the overall argument of
the paragraph.
If this new way of life hadn’t been as successful as it was, Alexander’s legacy wouldn’t
be as memorable and groundbreaking.
 Concluding Sentence: sum up the main argument of your paragraph in one sentence:
By conquering many countries and merging cultures, Alexander the Great will be
credited in the records of history for his many achievements.

This is how the analytical paragraph would look like as a whole:

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Alexander the Great was a successful ruler because he created long lasting effects on
cultures that still continue to this day. An example of his legacy would be the creation of
Hellenistic Society. The term Hellenistic refers to the combination of Greek, Persian, and
Egyptian cultures. During this remarkable time, people were encouraged to pursue a
formal education and develop many different kinds of art. New forms of math, science,
and art design made a great impact on contemporary society. If this new way of life
hadn’t been as successful as it was, Alexander’s legacy wouldn’t be as memorable and
groundbreaking. By conquering many countries and merging cultures, Alexander the
Great will be credited in the records of history for his many achievements.

Vocabulary Enrichment:
Verbs to Use Instead of “Exemplifies” or “shows” :
Appears asserts attests to certifies confirms
Connotes corroborates defines demonstrates denotes
Depicts discloses elucidates endorses establishes
Exhibits expounds exposes intimates manifests
Points to proves ratifies relates substantiates
Suggests explains represents reveals verifies
Displays delineates
Verbs for Literary Analysis:
Accentuates accepts achieves adopts advocates
Affects alleviates allows alludes alters
Analyzes approaches argues ascertains assesses
Assumes displays downplays foreshadows highlights
Overstates selects strives symbolizes vacillates
Supports emphasizes distorts envisions defies
Distinguishes compels enumerates produces qualifies
Suppresses focuses guides conforms chronicles

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 Contrasts questions projects promotes disputes
Confronts evokes rationalizes illuminates enriches

Words to Describe a Character:

Fanatical monstrous villainous menacing malicious egocentric

Threatening stubborn unrefined domineering inflexible ruthless

Contentious resourceful offensive unpolished selfish repulsive

Irresponsible aggressive determined shocking self-confident savage

Antagonistic cowardly atrocious corrupt criminal despicable

Belligerent callous compulsive hostile stormy sinister

Outrageous disturbing depraved decadent malicious merciless

Words to Describe the Setting:

Tense gloomy violent confining cold haunting

Nightmarish hostile painful threatening desolate terrifying

Barren grim alarming uncanny uneasy dismal

Bleak mysterious obscure unpleasant offensive crumbling

Polluted murky

Words to Describe Mood:

Foreboding ominous depressed distressed drained frightened

Frustrated heartbroken nauseated pessimistic shocked alarmed

Threatened uncontrollableannoyed crushed enraged infuriated

Stressed heartless merciless incredulous indignant outraged

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Terrifying haunting disenchantment graphic chaotic