There are many ways to plan out an effective analytical essay. One fine strategy
is to spend one paragraph talking about the reasoning of the passage, one about
the evidence and how it is used, and one about the rhetorical strategies employed
throughout. We’ve also seen successful essays that choose three rhetorical
techniques, such as parallel structure, metaphor, and direct address, and dedicate
a paragraph to each, showing how each technique augments the argument and
evidence of the passage.
You might notice that this template is very similar to the way you learned to write an essay in school.
—Samantha
But there is a simpler, faster, and more effective essay template than either of
these. We call this THE template. Behold:
• Introduction: State your thesis. (2–3 sentences)
• First paragraph: Write about the beginning of the passage (the first couple
of paragraphs). Summarize the argument. Point out the evidence and how
it is used. Analyze how a few rhetorical choices help deliver the argument.
(6 sentences total)
• Second paragraph: Write about the middle paragraphs of the passage.
Summarize the argument. Point out the evidence and how it is used.
Analyze how a few rhetorical choices help deliver the argument. (6
sentences)
• Third paragraph: Compose a sonnet about thy love’s flaxen ringlets, which
the sun doth trembleth o’er. Just kidding. Write about the end of the
passage. Summarize the argument. Point out the evidence and how it is
used. Analyze how a few rhetorical choices help deliver the argument. (6
sentences)
• Conclusion: Restate your thesis. (2–3 sentences)And that’s it! Nothing fancy, just a whole bunch of analyzing, then you drop
the mic, walk out of the test center, and collapse on the sidewalk in exhaustion.
Let’s try this out on a passage we fabricated.
Step 1: Read the Passage (5 minutes)