Single text article analysis

A suggested approach…

Article Analysis Basics

• Remember, when analysing an article you are looking to identify and describe:

– WHAT is being said (content)?

– HOW is it being said (tone, PWTs, etc)?

– WHY is it being said or presented in this way (intended effect on the reader)?

1. Establish the context of the article

• What type of article is it?

• Who is the author? What’s their background? How are they connected with the issue? What agenda/motive are they likely to have?

• What newspaper was this article in? Tabloid or broadsheet? Who is the target audience likely to be?

• At first glance, what stands out? Are there any visual features that grab attention?

2. Identify the key content

• What is the contention of the article? (Check headline, first and final paragraph first).

• What are the author’s key ideas/arguments?

• What evidence is used to support these arguments throughout the piece? Look for:– Statistics and facts

– Specific examples and case studies

– Experts’ opinions

– Anecdotal evidence

3. Consider the writer’s tone, style and structure

• What sort of tone does the writer use? Is it uniform or does it change in places? What are some words you can quote that demonstrate this tone?

• What comments can you make about the author’s style of writing and structure of their piece? Why have they written it this way? What’s the intended effect?

4. Identify and analyse specific PWTs

• What are the obvious PWTs (persuasive words and techniques) in the article? For each one:

– Highlight it in the article

– List it on a notes page, find an example to quote, and briefly note down the intended effect on the reader of that specific example:

PWT Example/Quote Effect of the reader of the specific example quoted:

Use of statistics “...there has been a 36% increase in sales of RTDs...”

Influences the reader to conclude that alcohol use has risen greatly; they may conclude that it is out of control; statistics are hard to argue with

5. Planning a response

• Before planning your response, ensure you have:

– carefully read and annotated the article

– Made notes on key information relating to content (contention, key arguments, etc)

– Listed key PWTs and tone, with quoted examples and notes on the effect of each on the reader

5. Planning a response

• First of all consider connections between key points or arguments and the PWTs you have identified in the article:– Which PWTs are used in conjunction with which

arguments? How does the combined effect of argument and PWTs impact on the reader in each case?

– Spend some time linking arguments and PWTs on paper; this will form the framework for your analysis structure (body paragraphs).

6. Writing a response

• Introduction

– Introduce article (type, title, author, paper and date)

– Link the article to the broader issue/context

– Identify contention and key arguments

– Briefly list several of the major PWTs

– Briefly describe the tone

– Identify any target audience

6. Writing a response

• Body Paragraphs– Topic Sentence: indicate one key argument presented

by the author; explain how it supports the author’s contention.

– Describe PWTs used in conjunction with the argument, quoting example/s and explaining their effect on the reader (effect = what is the reader encouraged to think or feel)

– Finish with a linking sentence: link key focus of this body paragraph back to contention, or link forward to next body paragraph

6. Writing a response

• Conclusion:

– Summarise/restate key points of analysis: contention, arguments, tone, PWTs, etc.

– Make a judgement about the overall persuasiveness or effectiveness of the article.

– If applicable, comment on if and how the article is likely to influence any target audience previously identified.

7. Review and revise

• After you have written your analysis, time permitting, review and check:

– Structure

– Spelling, grammar, punctuation and expression

– Clarity and fluency – are ideas linked well?

– Use of appropriate language, vocabulary and tone

– Have you explained your ideas in sufficient depth and detail?