What's an Analysis?
- An analysis is an argument in which you study the parts of something to understanding how it works, what it means, or why it might be significant. The writer of an analysis uses an analytical tool: a principle or definition on the basis of which an object, an event, or a behavior can be divided into parts and examined. An analysis can be written on almost any subject, and this type of writing is common in both academic and professional contexts.
- Remember that an analysis is comprised of many integrated parts: introduction to the subject under analysis; introduction to & brief background on the principle(s) or definition(s) being used as the analytical tool; a two-part ARGUMENTATIVE thesis statement that indicates the tool and its particular application for the subject under analysis; a discussion of the subject using specific examples/information that are connected to the analytical tool and related to each other (this discussion should be the largest section of your essay by far!!); and a conclusion that attempts to make a point larger than the original subject if possible.
- Keep in mind that your audience is college-educated adults, but they might not be familiar with the subject under analysis. Therefore, provide all the background information that you feel is necessary.
- Your analysis will be evaluated on how well you introduce the subject and analytical tool, how you organize your essay, how clearly you establish your thesis, how thoroughly and fairly you discuss your subject using the analytical tool, how you manage all of this around an arguable thesis, and how you conclude your essay by extending the discussion or analysis in some new direction.
The Assignment:
- For this assignment, you are asked to locate one magazine advertisement. You must then study the illustrations and the text in the ad. Then, read Roland Marchand’s “The Appeal of the Democracy of Goods,” from his 1985 book Advertising the American Dream, which describes a common theme underlying many advertisements, and Dorothy Cohen’s “Elements of an Effective Layout,” which offers a number of guiding principles for assessing the layout of visual elements in print advertising. These selections can be found on Angel. Use the principles presented in both the articles to analyze your ad. Apply the principles of analytical reasoning demonstrated in the analysis by Edward Peselman. Develop your analysis in a well-organized, well-developed paper. You should show how the graphic elements of the ad and its underlying message work to create a unified effect on readers, influencing them to want to buy the product being advertised.
- Even though outside research is not required for this assignment, you are utilizing sources of information; therefore, a “Works Cited” (MLA) is required for this assignment. Use www.dianahacker.com/resdoc for information on how to do this.
Due Date and Other Administrative Stuff:
Final Due: Friday, December 2 by 11:50 p.m., in the dropbox on Angel.This essay will be graded on a 100-point scale of A, B, C, D, and F.
Essay Submission Guidelines:
- The finished submitted draft must be AT LEAST four (4) pages PLUS your works cited page, typed, double-spaced with one-inch (1") margins on all sides.
- The finished submitted draft must be word-processed (in .doc or .rtf format), double-spaced with one-inch (1") margins on all sides.
- Please follow MLA essay format and citing sources guidelines.
- Please use a standard font and type size, for example 12-point Helvetica or 12-point Times New Roman.
- When you turn in your final draft, you also need to include your self-assessment sheet and a copy of your ad (PDF or JPEG).
Final Notes and If You Need Help:
Review the assignment sheet and the content available on Angel.Look at the sample analyses on Angel.
Please email me with questions or visit the Writing Center.
