Write a 1,000 to 1,250 word (four to five page) analytical essay on your pre-approved topic.

The purpose of an analysis is to break apart a subject into its component parts in order to gain a clearer understanding of its function.

Your one-sentence thesis should should weave a thread through the concepts that you will explore in your body paragraphs.

You will need at least 3 in text citations (direct quotes or statistics) and an MLA formatted, separate works cited page.

The three sources can be: library reference book, online journal or article found through a Library Subscription database, or an academic quality periodical article (The New Yorker, Harpers, The Atlantic Monthly, The Economist, Scientific American, Mother Jones etc). No Video sources, please.

You do not need to take a side on the issue – you simply must convey the complexity of the issue by explaining how each component part functions in the overall understanding.

Make sure you define your terms – (for example, what is “Intelligent Design” as opposed to “Creationism”?) (Also, define the scope of your analysis – is this an economic issue, a First Amendment Rights Issue, justice issue?)

Here is a short sample analytical essay as an example: Analytical Sample.docxPreview the documentView in a new window