Analytical Research Paper Writing

Writing an analytical paper necessitates the performance of a range of tasks. They include thesis formulation, sources’ accumulation, their evaluation and use to back up the ideas, and meticulous documentation of the research work. Doing all this takes the considerable time that you can save by doing some simple things before starting to write. In this guide, those things are illustrated with example questions.

What Is Analytical Research Paper? An Overview

Before taking a dip into the complexities of writing it, first, you should exactly familiarize yourself with what an analytical essay actually constitutes. Probably you know just as much as an analytical paper is one that analyzes an issue – that’s a general understanding of the term. Let’s first take a look at an analytical paper: what it is and what it is not.

An analytical paper is not a summary. It’s difficult to monitor this practically, even though theoretically it seems obvious. If your piece sounds more like a book report, chances are you have just summarized the characters or events. A potential way of guessing if you are summarizing rather than analyzing is by looking at your support. Make sure you relate the drawn information to the main point instead of just copying the text as such or paraphrasing it. Now, let’s see what an analytical paper is.

Its writing is more focused and narrowed down to a certain point. These papers tend to answer “how,” e.g. how a poem is written, or how themes reflect in a novel. Research questions are meant to make sense of the larger picture by focusing on smaller elements or parts of it. An example research question is; Analyze the theme of deception in Hamlet.

How to Write a Good Analytical Research Paper; Expert Tips

To begin with, carefully read your question, and don’t hesitate to clarify any doubts concerning its understanding. Rather than second-guessing the teacher, directly get the queries addressed. Read the question statement carefully and note the phrases or words that seem to ask for a particular kind of thinking or writing activity. Example of such words includes “discuss,” “evaluate,” and “compare.” Also, pay attention to other phrases that define and constrain your research’s scope. Below is a model research question, in which the key phrases have been highlighted in bold:

Outcomes of the US intervention in Afghanistan spurred debate about whether or not the US should have had used military force in the region. That debates continue till date since the military intervention could not defeat the Taliban while the war cost the US trillions of dollars.

Do you think the US made an effective intervention in the region necessary for the best possible results? In a paper of 10 pages, discuss your response and back up your arguments with scholarly peer-reviewed sources. Avoid drawing information from newspaper editorials and magazines.

Note how the first paragraph provides background and context for the establishment of the research question, whereas the task for you is elaborated in the second paragraph. Note the key phrases and words in it that limit and define the boundaries of your research and delineate the way you need to go for addressing the question’s requirements.

How to Start an Analytical Research Paper

Start the paper by making an outline first. It will help focus your thoughts and provide a skeleton for the paper. Divide the outline into introduction, body, and conclusion. In the introduction, write the hook, thesis statement, and a sentence about how the thesis statement will be defended. In the body, write topic sentences and mention points for relevant examples. In the conclusion, write the restatement of thesis.

How to Structure an Analytical Research Paper

The structure of an analytical research paper consists of an introduction, body, and conclusion. Until suggested otherwise, write three paragraphs in the body. Analytical papers typically present the stance of the author on an issue. While you elaborate your position relating them to the thesis statement in the first two paragraphs, reserve the last paragraph for counter-claim and its refutation with evidence. That’s it; your outline becomes your analytical research paper structure.

Analytical Research Paper Introduction That Sparks Readers’ Interest

Your introduction is nicely written if it motivates the reader to continue reading. It should have at least three main elements – a hook, thesis statement, and a little about how the thesis statement will be proven in the body. The hook is at the very start of the introduction. It’s called ‘hook’ because it hooks the readers. It needs to be a surprising or interesting statement. It can be written with the use of a rhetorical question, a controversial or usual statement, or some relevant statistics. An example hook is, “Harry Potter series is accused of promoting witchcraft by religious groups.” The sentence indicates the point of controversy and hints upon what the essay has to discuss.

Now that the readers are hooked get them to the point with the thesis statement. Your thesis can be, “Witchcraft has conventionally been a recurring theme in children fiction with no threat to the religion in reality.” Now briefly discuss your methodology for defending your thesis statement. Let the readers know that the essay draws inferences from popular examples of children fiction based on witchcraft that has had no adverse influence on children’s understanding of religion.

The Right Way to Develop Analytical Research Paper Body

There are four main elements in the body of an analytical research paper; topic sentence, claim, evidence in support of the claim, tying up of the evidence to the topic sentence. The topic sentence of each paragraph covers a certain aspect of the thesis statement and is solely meant for its particular paragraph’s contents. The claim dives into a specific area of the topic sentence and gives your stance on it. Taking evidence from the relevant approved sources in support of your claim, you have to elaborate on your reasons for its selection. This is where you draw a connection between the support and the topic sentence. If this link is missing, the analytical essay risks becoming a summary.

Analytical Research Paper Conclusion that Rightly Sums It All Up

Restate your thesis in the conclusion without directly copying it. Restatement of the sample thesis statement given above would be, “Themes like witchcraft are necessary elements of children fiction with no impact on children’s understanding of religion.” After this restatement of the thesis, write the remaining conclusion in a way that lends the readers a sense of closure. If required, give recommendations and suggestions for further research right at the end of the conclusion.

Suitable Alternate Approach in Emergency

You can write a good analytical research paper using the guidelines above. However, if you are overloaded with work and don’t have the time to write it yourself, a suitable and safe option for you is to get it written from us. We have expert research paper writers who are skilled in writing analytical research papers efficiently. Just let us know the requirements of the piece including its topic, word count, style, number of sources and such other details, and have your paper delivered by the deadline. So call us now!