Writing an Analysis (VCE SSCE English): Revision Notes
Writing an Analysis
What is analysis of argument?
In VCE English Unit 2, Area of Study 2, you will need to analyse how argument and language work together in media texts. Analysis means explaining and unpacking the ways writers use language and argument to position their audience to agree with a particular point of view. This is different from simply summarising what a text says – you need to examine how and why the writer makes their choices.
The analysis process involves three main steps: annotating the text, planning your response, and writing your analysis. Each step builds on the previous one to help you create a thorough and insightful examination of persuasive techniques.
Reading and annotating the task material
The annotation process
Annotation is the first crucial step in preparing your analysis. Begin by reading the text (or viewing/listening to it) to understand the general meaning and overall shape of the argument. Then, engage with it again more carefully, this time identifying the main supporting points, the order in which they appear, and the emotions or reactions the text aims to evoke in the audience.
For written texts, annotate by highlighting, circling, and underlining key words and phrases, and writing notes in the margins. You can use different coloured pens or highlighters to distinguish between different elements. If working digitally, use comment functions in Word or PDF software. For audio or audiovisual texts, take detailed notes while listening or viewing, and replay the material several times if possible.
General annotation tips
Effective annotation requires developing a systematic approach. Here are key strategies to use:
Look at the text as a whole: Before diving into details, observe the layout of text and images on the page. Notice any headings and subheadings that break the text into sections, as these often signal shifts in argument or approach.
Make margin notes: Jot down the main contention (the writer's central argument), the reasons being presented, and the overall tone of the piece. Keep these notes brief but clear.
Zoom in on patterns: Look for repetition of words, phrases, or ideas. Note the sequence in which ideas are presented, as this reveals the writer's strategic choices about how to build their argument.
Get closer to specific words: Identify individual words that are particularly surprising, interesting, or effective. These often carry significant persuasive power through their connotations or emotional impact.
Ask questions: Write questions in the margin when something puzzles you or when you want to explore the writer's choices. You can return to these questions later as you continue reading.
Create your own symbol system: Develop a set of symbols to mark important elements quickly. For example, you might use ! for important points, V for vocabulary to note, ? for questions, and → for cause-and-effect relationships.
Annotating for structure
The structure of a text refers to both its physical layout and the sequence in which ideas and arguments are presented. Structural choices significantly influence how an audience receives the message.
When annotating for structure, examine the visual arrangement of the text and note the size and placement of any images. Images positioned at the very start of a text often set the emotional tone or introduce the central issue. For longer written texts, identify the introduction, body, and conclusion, paying attention to how the writer chooses to begin and end their piece.
Look for white space and other major breaks in the text. These often indicate places where the writer changes their tone, introduces a new reason, or presents additional evidence. In audio texts, pauses can have a similar effect. Headings and subheadings that divide and organise content frequently express the main reasons or ideas, making them valuable signposts for understanding the argument's structure.
If analysing a visual text such as a cartoon or photograph, consider the size and placement of the main elements within the image. Larger or centrally positioned elements typically carry more significance in the visual argument.
Annotating for argument
In persuasive texts, the argument consists of a main contention supported by several reasons. Understanding this structure is essential for effective analysis.
Start by underlining or circling the contention and rewriting it in your own words. The contention is often expressed in the headline or introductory paragraph, though sometimes it appears at the end of the piece. If the contention is implied rather than explicitly stated, write it out as concisely as you can to clarify your understanding.
Clearly identify the main reasons or points of argument. You could highlight or underline each reason in a different colour, draw a box around each reason, or summarise the reason in a margin note with a line connecting it to the relevant part of the text. Number the reasons to make it easier to track and analyse the argument's progression.
Look for rebuttal – places where an opposing argument or point of view is being rejected. This might be associated with one of the writer's main reasons, or it could stand as a separate element of the argument. Identifying rebuttal helps you understand how the writer positions their view against alternatives.
For visual texts, make margin notes about the point of view being presented by the cartoonist, illustrator, or photographer. For audio texts, listen for signposting words such as 'firstly', 'as a result', and 'in conclusion' that indicate how the speaker has constructed their argument.
Annotating for vocabulary and language features
To annotate vocabulary and language features effectively, you need to examine the fine details of a text – the writer's word choices and use of persuasive techniques. A useful system is to highlight, circle, or underline words and phrases with the same colour you use for the reason that is presented at that point in the text, creating a visual connection between argument and language.
Highlight any interesting words or phrases that stand out. Make a note of why you highlighted the word – perhaps it had a strong emotional impact, an unusual connotation, or a particularly precise meaning. In the margin, write the main tone of the piece and circle some words that help create this tone.
Look for any shifts of tone and mark where these occur on the text. These shifts often coincide with the introduction of a new reason or a move from presenting an argument to rebutting an opposing view.
Highlight persuasive techniques such as repetition, emotional appeals, facts and statistics, figurative language, or the rule of three. Make notes about the intended effect on the reader. You will not be able to discuss all these techniques in your analysis, but identifying them helps you select the most relevant ones.
Write a symbol (such as a question mark) near any words you do not understand. If time permits, look up definitions later to ensure full comprehension.
Planning your analysis
Organising your annotations
Once you have gathered all the required information through annotation, you need to organise your ideas. If time allows, create an information sheet that summarises your annotations. This enables you to group together related ideas and examples in preparation for writing your analysis. Even in timed assessments, spending a few minutes organising your thoughts will result in a more coherent and focused response.
Creating a plan
After determining which elements of the text you will write about, create a plan for your analysis. Even if it is only brief (especially in timed assessment tasks), a plan helps you analyse the argument and language coherently and avoid simply recounting what the writer has said.
A brief plan should include:
- The writer's main contention
- The text's main tone
- The focus for each of your body paragraphs
- Notes on the examples you will use
Structure of an analysis
A typical analysis follows this structure:
Introduction (one paragraph):
- Briefly introduce the issue
- State the writer's contention in your own words
- Include the name of the writer, the source of the text, the text type (such as opinion piece or blog post), and the date it was published
- Identify the main tone of the text and the overall approach
- Refer briefly to any visual material
Body paragraphs (three to five paragraphs):
- Identify a clear focus for each paragraph
- Give relevant examples from the text
- Explain the likely effects of the selected examples and how they work to persuade the audience
Conclusion (one paragraph, optional):
- Briefly explain the overall effect of the writer's argument and persuasive language
Three approaches to structuring your analysis
The way you structure your analysis significantly impacts its fluency and cohesiveness. Here are three effective approaches:
Reason by reason: Devote each body paragraph to analysing how one of the writer's main reasons is presented and argued. Make sure you explain the effect of each reason and how it helps the writer achieve their purpose. This approach works well when the writer has clearly distinct supporting arguments.
Paragraph by paragraph: Analyse each paragraph of the text in order. If there is more than one text, analyse the shorter text after you analyse the main one. Be careful not to simply paraphrase or rewrite what the writer has said. Instead, identify the intent behind each paragraph and its role in the writer's overall argument.
Beginning with structure, then focusing on language: This approach involves moving from the general, big-picture effects of the text to the particular effects of language use. You might base your first paragraph on the structure of the writer's argument and the main techniques used (such as emotional appeals or reason and logic). Subsequent paragraphs would then examine language more closely and analyse the specific effects that word choices and persuasive techniques have on the reader.
Structuring body paragraphs
Option 1: The what? How? Why? approach
The What? How? Why? Approach
This approach ensures you cover all essential elements of analysis:
What the writer is saying: Briefly explain the content or argument being made. Keep this concise – avoid providing a lengthy recount.
How the writer is saying it: Identify the techniques, word choices, and persuasive strategies being used. Consider whether the writer appeals to emotions or emphasises facts, figures, and logic.
Why the writer has chosen to say it this way: Explain the likely effects on the reader and how this helps the writer achieve their purpose. This is the most important part of your analysis.
Option 2: The PEE approach
The PEE Approach
This approach provides a clear structure for discussing persuasive elements:
P = Persuasive element: Explain one key element of the writer's attempt to persuade the reader to agree. It could be a reason or point of argument, a structural element, a persuasive strategy, or the choice of particular words.
E = Example/s: Give some examples of this persuasive element, explaining where the examples occur in the piece and what their place is in the writer's argument.
E = Effect: Explain what the reader is likely to think or feel, how they are being positioned or influenced to agree with an argument, and how this helps the writer achieve their purpose.
Writing your analysis
Writing about the effects of persuasive techniques
When writing about how argument and persuasive language influence the reader or audience, use precise vocabulary that explains the relationship between technique and effect. Here are useful sentence starters:
Focusing on the writer:
- The writer evokes the reader's sense of outrage by...
- The writer seeks to create a negative response by...
- The writer uses emotive language to...
- The writer exaggerates the situation in order to...
Focusing on the reader:
- The reader is encouraged to feel...
- The reader is positioned to share the writer's opinion by...
- The reader is likely to be provoked to anger by...
- The reader is included in the debate by...
Focusing on the technique:
- The persuasive technique positions the reader to...
- The technique elicits the reader's sympathy by...
- The language appeals to the reader's sense of... in order to...
- The approach encourages the reader to believe...
Writing about the effects of visual language
Your analysis should include close discussion of any images associated with the text or texts. Consider how visual elements work to position the viewer and support or challenge the written argument.
Use phrases such as:
- The cartoon contrasts the powerful with the powerless by exaggerating the individuals' relative sizes, which has the effect of...
- The cartoonist shows their contempt for the individuals at the centre of this issue, using thought bubbles to reveal...
- By placing the subject in focus at the centre of the photograph, the photographer positions the viewer to feel...
- The photograph captures the natural environment in detail, showing rich greens and blues, encouraging the viewer to feel...
- By presenting high numbers in large bold fonts, the infographic draws the viewer's attention to...
When written persuasive texts include images, consider the relationship between words and images. Usually visual material supports or presents a similar point of view to the written text, but there might be subtle differences between the messages they convey. In some cases, the image might offer a quite different point of view on the issue.
To discuss similarity: The image supports, reinforces, echoes, reiterates, delivers a similar message to, bolsters, confirms, corroborates, or consolidates the point of view expressed in the article.
To discuss difference: The image undermines, contradicts, conveys an alternative message to, places pressure on, counters, challenges, questions, or opposes the point of view expressed in the article.
Writing about the impact of structure
Structure is a crucial part of any argument, and you should discuss the effects of at least some structural elements in your analysis.
Placement of the main contention: Consider whether the main contention is stated at the outset of the piece or appears towards the end as the inevitable conclusion of the writer's discussion. Is it clearly stated or only implied? Why might the writer have chosen to present their contention in this place and manner?
Use of headings: Examine what the main heading suggests about the writer's point of view or main approach. Do subheadings indicate a logical structure or an examination of different angles on an issue?
Order of supporting reasons: Determine whether the writer presents their main points in order of strongest to weakest, or whether they save their strongest point till last to leave a powerful impression on the reader.
Placement of rebuttal: Notice whether reasons for rejecting alternative points of view are placed near the start (so the audience rejects alternatives at the outset) or woven throughout as part of a compare and contrast structure.
Shifts in tone: A change in a writer's tone may signal a shift to a different approach in their argument. For example, a writer may begin with a personal story presented in a sad and emotional tone designed to arouse the reader's sympathy, before moving to a more matter-of-fact tone to present evidence and statistics.
Always focus your analysis on why the writer made these structural choices and what effects they are likely to have on the audience.
Writing about the combined effects of argument and language
Your analysis needs to explain how argument and language interact to position the reader. Often, certain approaches to argument are associated with particular persuasive techniques. For instance, an appeal to group loyalty may be presented using inclusive language, while an ad hominem attack might be delivered in highly emotive language with a mocking tone.
When writing about language used to support an argument, you can phrase your sentence like this: "The writer's use of [language/technique] supports their argument that [argument being presented]."
Alternatives to 'supports' include: advances, bolsters, develops, enhances, promotes, reinforces, strengthens, sustains, and underlines.
Sometimes a writer will use a compare and contrast approach to consider their own and opposing viewpoints side by side. To do so, they create a dichotomy, using words with positive associations for their own argument and words with negative associations for opposing arguments.
To discuss the writer's use of a compare and contrast approach, use words such as: compares, contrasts, juxtaposes, or opposes.
You can vary sentence structure by using the -ing form of these verbs. This can effectively connect a writer's persuasive strategy with their intended effect. For example: "By juxtaposing the benefits of their preferred model with the supposed downfalls of the alternative approach, the writer encourages the reader to feel the alternative is simply not viable."
Editing and proofreading
Allocating time to planning before and editing after you write your analysis is crucial, even in timed conditions. If you only have five minutes to plan and five minutes to edit, use that time wisely. Annotating the persuasive text before you start writing helps you clarify your ideas and identify evidence. Once you have written a draft, editing ensures that your expression is clear, your thoughts are logically organised, and you have addressed all parts of the task.
Structure checklist
- Does the introduction give the key details of the text (writer, publication details, text type) and state the writer's main contention?
- Does the introduction refer to the main tone of the piece or the writer's overall approach to persuading the audience?
- Does each body paragraph have a clear focus without repeating points from previous paragraphs?
Analysis checklist
- Does each body paragraph discuss the effects of argument and language choices on the audience and relate these effects to the writer's purpose and main contention?
- Have you discussed the impact of context, purpose, and audience on the writer's choices?
- Have you discussed the tone of the text and related it to the writer's purpose and argument?
- Have you identified and analysed the likely impact of any shifts in tone?
- Does each body paragraph include a variety of short examples or quotes?
- Have you analysed the impact of visual or audio elements and their relationship with any written text?
Language checklist
- Is every sentence clear and grammatically correct?
- Is spelling correct, especially of names of people and places in the text?
- Is punctuation correct, including commas, apostrophes, capital letters, and quotation marks for direct quotes?
- Have you used linking words to make your analysis fluent and coherent?
- Have you used relevant metalanguage to analyse persuasive strategies and their effects?
- Have you used formal language and avoided informal expressions and clichés?
- Have you written in the third person, avoiding the first-person 'I'?
Key Points to Remember:
- Analysis involves explaining how language and argument work together to position the audience, not simply summarising content.
- The three main steps are annotating (marking key features), planning (organising your ideas), and writing (crafting your analysis).
- Annotate for structure (layout and sequence), argument (contention and reasons), and language (word choices and techniques).
- Choose a clear structure for your analysis: reason by reason, paragraph by paragraph, or structure then language.
- Use the What? How? Why? or PEE approach for body paragraphs to ensure thorough analysis.
- Always explain effects on the reader and connect them to the writer's purpose – this is the heart of analysis.
- Edit your work systematically, checking structure, depth of analysis, and language accuracy.