Q: How can I improve the depth of my analysis?
Q: My teacher says that I should improve my analysis of the author’s impact and positioning effects? How can I do this?
A critical component of Argument Analysis is to evaluate the impact of an author’s persuasive word choices.
To do this you must have a sound grasp of the author’s viewpoints and argument strategies.
Hone in on strategic persuasive word choices and examples. Aim for depth of analysis. Systematically, unpack the layers of meaning.
- What is the language? (colloquial, inclusive, rhetorical, figurative, emotive, sarcastic, ironic?)
- How does it reinforce the author’s viewpoint?
- Who is the target audience of this specific example?
- What are the obvious meanings, and persuasive intentions? (think a range of emotions)
- Are there indirect meanings? (Connotations/implications/insinuations etc.)
- Make sure the quotes fit the grammatical construction of your sentence. Using dashes (an embedded clause) is a convenient way of quoting. It is easier to work the quote into your sentence, collapsing two sentences into one.
Make it obvious:
Work your analytical sentences. Embed metalanguage and place a focus on the purpose. Work your target audience and chance around your sentences constructions.
