Key Terms
Common verbs that signal analysis
Analyze, classify, compare, contrast, differentiate, evaluate, examine, identify, infer, interpret, investigate, separat
Why it matters to the reader
If your tone signals that your mind is already made up, readers will sense it. The result is a paper that feels presumpt
WEAK
"This song is about losing a loved one." (Describes content only. No depth.
STRONG
"In 'Missing You,' the artist draws on his personal experience of loss to argue that we should not take time with family
Inference
The process of drawing a conclusion based on evidence and reasoning rather than direct statements.
Process analysis
A rhetorical style that provides step-by-step directions or explanatory guidance. Common in business, technical fields,
Critical analysis
Breaking down a work into its key parts and interpreting how those parts contribute to its overall message, meaning, or