Anthony’s analytical essay points out the importance of family ties in a novel he read recently. In the novel, a young boy becomes a teenager and gets involved with a gang. He is also quite interested in cars, and finally leaves the gang when his uncle gets him a job at a motor parts factory. The first five paragraphs of Anthony’s essay summarize the story in great detail. The essay ends with a sentence that states Anthony’s interpretation of the boy’s decision to leave the gang. What advice would help Anthony improve his analytical essay?

Move the interpretation statement to the beginning of the essay, and use the story’s details to support that claim.

Just read your essay to make sure that all of the sentences flow together well and are punctuated correctly.

Read the novel again, and look for information to add about other characters in the story, to round out your summary.

Explain what parts of the main character’s life were the most difficult--to help readers feel more sorry for him.

1 answer

The best advice to help Anthony improve his analytical essay would be to move the interpretation statement to the beginning of the essay, and use the story’s details to support that claim. By placing the interpretation early on, Anthony can provide a clear thesis that guides the reader through the summary and analysis. Then, as he summarizes the story, he can selectively include details that support his interpretation of the boy’s decision to leave the gang, creating a more cohesive and focused argument throughout the essay. This approach will help readers understand the significance of family ties in the boy's life right from the start, making the analysis more impactful.