Analyzing a Text

Essay #3:  Analyzing a Text

All kinds of texts may be used in the college classroom.  You may be asked to write an analysis 

of a document, a song, a painting, a story, scientific data, or even a short story.  Analyzing takes 

time!  

The essay should tell the reader something interesting or something they may not have noticed 

on a first reading/viewing. 

For this essay, please write 4-5 pages on a chosen text, such as a magazine or newspaper 

article, a blog, a website, an advertisement, a political document, a story/poem, a painting, a 

song, a music video, a scene in a film, or even a textbook.  Consider what the chosen piece is 

saying, but also how it is saying it.  Spend time reading and looking for a topic.  Choose 

something that is interesting and relevant within the text to discuss.  Think small, not big.  Some 

topics may not be suitable for this assignment.  

In short, when you are analyzing a text, you are basically arguing that the text should be read 

in a certain way (75).

Furthermore, this essay requires at least four resources. Thus, a Works Cited page must be 

provided as well (not included in the 4-5 page minimum).

Every text has a message.  

What is the message?  How is that message conveyed to the 

reader?  Why is it interesting? What makes the text good or worthwhile?

  Explain your viewpoint in your thesis.  

*Your essay topic must be approved by the instructor.

Things to consider:

-Your essay must include a brief summary of the textperhaps in the introduction.  

-Please contextualize the chosen piece a bit.

-Make your interpretation or judgment of the text known in your thesisit must be analytical.

-Use examples from the text to support your views, reasons, and judgments.

-3rd person; present tense

These are the instructions provided by my instructor. You are free to choose the text you want to write the essay on. Remember the work cited is not included in the 4 page minimum. Thank you.