How to write an analytical essay in 7 easy steps.

An analytical essay allows you to dissect and examine a topic in the literary, scientific, historical realm, and more. Learn how to write one in just seven simple steps.

Analyzing a topic means going beyond a simple summarization — thorough research, evidence, and a well-organized argument are essential to creating an analytical essay.

Read on to learn analytical essay formatting and view an example to inspire you.

What is an analytical essay?

As a student, you may wonder: What is an analytical essay? An analytical essay examines a topic to formulate conclusions or prove theories. While used in many fields, they are most frequently used in literature and art to analyze themes and learn about deeper meanings within the subject.

What is the format of an analytical essay?

The structure of an analytical essay starts with an introduction. The thesis statement is typically included at the end of the introduction paragraph. This is followed by body paragraphs and ends with a conclusion. Style guidelines may vary depending on the guidelines your teacher provides.

For proper analytical essay format, you’ll need the following parts to compose your paper:

1. Introduction. Introduce your topic by sharing some background and summarizing important details.
2. Thesis statement. Your thesis statement will state your essay’s main point and identify what you have found by analyzing the topic.
3. Body paragraphs. This section is the supporting evidence for your essay. Each paragraph will start with the topic sentence and present evidence to support your thesis statement.
4. Conclusion. Here, you’ll summarize your thesis and the main points you made throughout the essay.

Once you finish writing your essay, you can convert Word to PDF to ensure the paper is ready to share and present on any device. If you need to make changes again, you can always convert PDF back to Word.

How do you start an analytical essay?

Your first paragraph should interest your reader in learning more about your topic. You should include the following three components in your first paragraph.

• Begin with a hook. Pique your reader’s interest with a bold statement, a rhetorical question, an anecdote, a fact, or a statistic.

• Provide background information. Share essential context so your reader can understand the topic and your analysis.

• Create your thesis statement. Present a claim you can support with evidence and encompass the essay’s main point.

How to write an analytical essay in 7 steps.

A good analytical essay includes many primary and secondary sources and addresses opposing arguments. What are the seven steps to writing an analytical essay? The steps include picking and researching a topic, making an outline, creating an introduction, writing body paragraphs, including evidence, writing a conclusion, and proofreading your paper.

1. Pick and research a topic. Choose a topic that’s specific enough that you can discuss it in depth. Choosing a broad topic may not allow you to cover everything in one analytical essay. You can use the Adobe Acrobat Chat with PDF tool to help you research your topic.
2. Make an outline. An essay outline helps organize your thoughts so you can arrange them in an ideal order. You can arrange your outline by paragraph with a few bullet points where each paragraph will be. Moving around pieces in this stage is much simpler than in later stages of the writing process.
3. Start with an introduction. Now, you’re ready to write your essay. Start your introduction paragraph with a hook and end with a strong thesis statement encompassing all that will be covered in the essay.
4. Write your body paragraphs. Your body paragraphs should support your thesis statement by sharing background information or providing opposing viewpoints. Be sure to include transition sentences between each body paragraph, as moving too quickly to the next topic may confuse the reader.
5. Include the evidence. Your essay should consist of background from the work you’re analyzing and your own analysis. To convince your audience of your point, include facts, statistics, and quotes.
6. Conclude your paper. This is the last section your reader will read, so to leave a good impression, avoid cliche sayings like “in conclusion.” Write a conclusion by recapping your main point and reminding the reader of the most important evidence from the essay.
7. Proofread the essay. To present the most polished, professional-looking paper possible, your paper should be free of spelling or grammar mistakes. Read it over and adjust accordingly.

What is an example of an analytical essay?

If you’re searching for how to write an analytical essay, don’t worry. Below, you’ll find an analytical essay outline that will help you get started on your paper. We’ve included a five-paragraph structure here, but you may choose to add more paragraphs as needed.

Topic: What makes someone good or wicked? What we can learn from Elphaba and Glinda.

Introduction

• Briefly explain the plot of the play Wicked for those who are unfamiliar.

• Thesis statement: Wicked challenges the traditional idea of good vs. evil by showing Elphaba, who desires justice and is labeled as “wicked” by those in power, and Glinda, who is labeled as “good” for complying with injustice.

Body paragraph 1

• Elphaba discovers animals are not treated as equals like they used to be.

• When their teacher, Dr. Dillamond, who is a goat, is escorted out of the school, Elphaba wants to say something, but Glinda doesn’t want to go against authority.

• No one else in Elphaba’s class wants to be “out of line” and stand up for Dr. Dillamond.

Body paragraph 2

• Elphaba sets out to see the Wizard of Oz and brings Glinda with her. During the meeting, Elphaba tells the wizard she wants to help the animals.

• Because Elphaba calls out the Wizard for being a fraud with no real power, the Wizard and her professor tarnish her name and spread misinformation about her wicked intentions.

Body paragraph 3

• Elphaba uses the Grimmerie, a magical spellbook, to levitate a broom and asks Glinda if she’ll come with her, but Glinda, realizing all she’ll have to give up, stays behind.

• This situation sets off the events that label Elphaba as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda as the Good Witch of the North.

• Glinda the Good becomes the Wizard’s mouthpiece and is praised, while Elphaba is forced into hiding for going against the Wizard’s plan to control animals.

• The Land of Oz believes Elphaba is evil or wicked because of the propaganda spread by the Wizard and Madame Morrible.

Conclusion

• Because Elphaba chooses to stand up against injustice, she is wicked, and because Glinda is complacent, she is good.