Friday, November 8, 2019

How to of the Day

How to of the Day


How to Enjoy Studying Science

Posted: 08 Nov 2019 04:00 PM PST

The sciences are traditionally viewed as a set of difficult subjects for students, but in reality they are widely applicable in daily life and increasingly important for you to understand. Understanding science helps you better understand the world around you, and science may be an important part of your education up through college. Many people even seek out careers in science. Learning scientific concepts through creative, hands-on classroom experiences and at-home experimentation and investigation may help you better enjoy and understand the subject.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Learning in the Classroom

  1. Play science games. Talk to your teacher about science games you can play with your classmates to learn and help reinforce scientific concepts. You can make up your own games, or buy some online or direct from an educational store.
    Enjoy Studying Science Step 1 Version 2.jpg
    • Help reinforce basic concepts and vocabulary with crossword puzzles, which are easily downloaded online.
    • Create a board game with science trivia, asking questions such as "What are the states of matter?" "What are the names of the noble gases?" or anything that pertains to what you are studying in class.
  2. Make a group. Try forming a club or group that meets once or twice a week before school or during lunch for science-related activities. Use it as a form of group study.
    Enjoy Studying Science Step 2 Version 2.jpg
    • Use club time to play scientific games, watch documentaries, and try different experiments.
    • Have competitions between club members or participate in events like the Science Olympiad as a team.[1]
    • Ask your science teacher if they would be willing to supervise your club.
  3. Perform experiments. Simple experiments such as making a papier mache volcano or the Cartesian Diver are easily done at home in your spare time. More complicated experiments can be undertaken for class projects and science fairs.
    Enjoy Studying Science Step 3 Version 2.jpg
    • Work with a subject that is meaningful to you. If you're interested in meteorology, for example, you could make a cloud in a bottle.
    • Ask yourself "Why?" questions frequently. Look up information on the sort of results you want to see, and ask yourself, "Why did my experiment produce these results rather than the predicted ones?"
    • Follow the scientific method. If you are doing your experiment for class or a science fair, it is important to follow the scientific method so that you can properly record and report your experiment. Remember to include background research, a hypothesis, and an analysis along with your methods.[2]
  4. Draw a picture. If you are a visual learner, turn your studies into art. Draw pictures and diagrams to help you follow your course material, and use these to supplement your notes.
    Enjoy Studying Science Step 4 Version 2.jpg
    • Be detailed and include labels. If, for example, you are drawing a plant cell, identify the chloroplast, nucleus, mitochondria, ER, vacuole, Golgi body, cell wall, etc. Make sure there is information to match the visual.
    • Be colorful. Creativity has been shown to help students actively engage in the learning process.[3]Get creative and colorful with your drawings, even if it doesn't exactly match the models in the text books.
  5. Learn with 3D models. Use interactive 3D models of topics like molecules, organs, or the solar system.
    Enjoy Studying Science Step 5 Version 2.jpg
    • Ask your teacher if any models are available to the class. If not, create your own. There are a number of tutorials and DIY instructions for scientific models online.
    • Use your notes and drawings to help you take the models apart, identify their components, and put them back together.
    • Test yourself by seeing if you can name and describe individual components of the model. Try throwing all the pieces into a bag, pulling one out at a time, and listing all the information you know about that piece.
  6. Use mnemonic devices. Make memorizing facts easier with little memory tricks, a rhyme, or an acronym. These are meant to help you remember confusing concepts, difficult terms, and hard-to-remember facts.[4]
    Enjoy Studying Science Step 6 Version 2.jpg
    • For example, HOMES is an acronym for the 5 great lakes (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior).
    • This mnemonic device might be of big help for you to remember the planets of the solar system: My Very Energetic Mother Jumps Straight Up North (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune).
    • Be as creative and as funny as you want as long as the facts can be easily remembered.
  7. Find real-world examples. Science becomes more meaningful when you understand how it impacts your daily life and the larger world around you.
    Enjoy Studying Science Step 7 Version 2.jpg
    • Tie basic experiments back into real-world examples. If, for example, you do a demonstration showing oil is lighter than water, pair it with a discussion of oil spills and what sort of impact floating oil could have on the environment.
    • Engage yourself in your surroundings by identifying hazards in local environments. Use rising sea levels or extreme storms to help learn about earth science and climate change. If you are in an earthquake-prone area, use that to study plate tectonics.[5]
    • Integrate chemistry with environmental studies by testing local water and soil samples.
    • Taste test more acidic and more alkaline foods to see how chemistry impacts what you eat.

[Edit]Studying at Home

  1. Start early. Some research suggests that children already start to form negative opinions about science by kindergarten.[6] Start studying science concepts early in your everyday life to see how it is applicable and why it is important.
    Enjoy Studying Science Step 8.jpg
    • Supplement TV time with science programming. Watch shows like Bill Nye the Science Guy, Sid the Science Kid, and Mythbusters to introduce you to basic science concepts in an entertaining way.[7]
    • Ask yourself questions. When you first start with a new scientific subject, getting the concepts right isn't as important as simply encouraging critical thinking. Ask yourself questions like, "Why do you think giraffes have long necks?" on trips to the zoo, or "Why does water solidify when freezing?" when you make a new tray of ice.
    • Remember, it is okay to be wrong. Instead of simply telling yourself that you are wrong, think through the process and guide yourself to new conclusions using new information.
  2. Don't rely on oversimplification. You might not get all the technical concepts of scientific processes, but don't try to oversimplify too much. If you break things down to the point where fundamental information is missing or what you're saying is simply inaccurate, you may suffer in the long run.[8]
    Enjoy Studying Science Step 9.jpg
    • Ask yourself, "Will this change the concept?" before you simplify something in your notes or on a paper. You may not need to understand nuclear fusion for a middle school astronomy report. Still, saying "The sun is a ball of fiery gases and metals", is more accurate than stating "The sun is a ball of fire in the sky."
  3. Say you don't know. You will have science questions that you cannot answer on your own. That is alright. Tell your teacher you don't know, but that you want help finding the answer.
    Enjoy Studying Science Step 10.jpg
    • Saying you don't know reinforces the idea that scientific learning is not about memorizing facts, but rather about critical thinking and investigating.
    • Read through your class materials and textbooks thoroughly to gather the information already available to you.
    • If class materials don't answer the question, look for online resources that can help explain. There may be videos, games, or even another teacher's lesson plan that you could use.
    • Ask to meet with your teacher outside of class to help explain the concept. Tell them "I'd like to learn this so that I can better understand the course content and the subject as a whole."
  4. Learn about scientists. Get inspiration from biographies about famous scientists. Learn about what these scientists' lives were like and what they accomplished that brought good things to the world.
    Enjoy Studying Science Step 11.jpg
    • Find grade-level appropriate biographies about famous scientists such as Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Watson and Crick, and others. You can find these in bookstores or online.
    • Watch short videos to go along with what you're reading. There are a number of online videos dedicated to celebrating great scientists. Watch them before or after you read so you can see why that person still matters today.

[Edit]Exploring Science on Your Own

  1. Visit museums. Museums are great places to see science in action. Go to a museum and spend the day exploring new concepts.
    Enjoy Studying Science Step 12.jpg
    • Natural history museums are great places to find information about biology, ecology, and paleontology.
    • Scientific museums such as museums of science, museums of industry, air and space museums, and others often have hands-on exhibits that allow you to participate in scientific processes in action.
    • Planetariums allow you to explore the solar system, the stars, and universe beyond our earth.
    • Aquariums introduce visitors to underwater ecology as well as environmental and marine conservation.
  2. Go to camp. Many communities have camps meant to foster students' interest in STEM subjects. Day camp, weekend camp, sleepaway camp, and before and after school options are all available.[9]
    Enjoy Studying Science Step 13.jpg
    • There are different camps for different interests. There are camps dedicated to exploring engineering, ecology, physics, chemistry, and more. Explore a subject that interests you.
    • Contact your local community centers and organizations to see if they offer free or low-cost day camps or afterschool programs focused on scientific inquiry.
    • Check with local museums and scientific institutions to see if they offer summer and/or weekend programs.
    • Look at national programs such as Space Camp (https://www.spacecamp.com/) or Mad Science (https://www.madscience.org/).
  3. Use technology. Technology is increasingly impacting the content and the ways students learn. Use new technologies to teach yourself scientific subjects in ways that make sense to you.
    Enjoy Studying Science Step 15.jpg
    • Programs like Crash Course, Khan Academy, and others have full subject content including videos, lesson plans, and assignments online and through social media platforms to help learners from the elementary school level up through college.
    • There are smartphone and tablet apps for almost any scientific subject you will study. Apps like Project Noah and Journey North allow you to participate in citizen science programs right from your phone. Others, such as NASA Visualization Explorer and goREACT, demonstrate concepts and allow for experiment simulations on the phone that would be too difficult in class.[10]
  4. Become a citizen scientist. Get involved with a program that aligns with what you are studying in school, and help contribute data to real scientific studies all over the world. Many of these are no-commitment required programs, so you only contribute when you feel you can.
    Enjoy Studying Science Step 14.jpg
    • Help NASA identify interstellar dust particles with Stardust@home[11], or work with Galaxy Zoo to classify galaxies.[12]
    • Learn about synthetic biology by playing games that build machines out of our DNA.[13]
    • Contribute to biological research about dogs simply by playing with your pup and reporting your findings to the Animal Ownership Interaction Study.[14]
    • Search online databases such as SciStarter to search for citizen scientist projects relevant to your studies.

[Edit]Tips

  • For fun and easy science experiments for kids that are safe to do at home, check out online resources.[15]
  • Try not to encourage negative connotations with scientific study. Say things like "Chemistry is not my best subject," instead of, "I hate chemistry."

[Edit]References

How to Make Cappuccino Foam

Posted: 08 Nov 2019 08:00 AM PST

A cappuccino is a coffee drink made with espresso and steamed milk.[1] The most striking thing about this drink is the milk foam on top. A soothing, consistent layer of foam is what sets a great cappuccino apart from lesser drinks. There's a greater part art than science in making the perfect cappuccino. Although it takes time to perfect the timing and method of pouring, having a firm knowledge of the basics will get you on your way towards the ultimate cup.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Making the Foam with a Steam Pitcher

  1. Pour brewed espresso into your cappuccino cup. Although specifics will depend on the type of cappuccino and the person making it, cappuccinos are roughly one quarter espresso and three quarters steamed milk.[2] Pour your desired amount of brewed espresso into a large cappuccino cup before you steam the milk. That way, you'll have everything ready so you can pour out the steamed milk while it's still piping hot.

    Make Cappuccino Foam Step 1 Version 3.jpg
  2. Fill a steam pitcher with cold milk. Steam pitchers are specifically designed to heat liquid through steaming. Most traditional cappuccinos are served as 6 ounce portions, although many North American outlets prefer a 12-ounce version. Use 3/4 cup to 1 1/2 cups of milk, depending on your preference.

    • Non-fat milk is best if you're looking to get the most foam.[3] However, non-fat milk will lack the creamy taste of its fatty alternative. It's up to you whether you favor foam or flavor.
    • Alternatives to steaming with a steam pitcher include using a metal pitcher with a steam wand, using a frother or shaking up the milk in a jar. An authentic cappuccino will rely on steaming, however.
  3. Steam the milk until it's hot. Steaming milk gives cappuccinos their heat and bubbly quality. You should aim to keep your steamed milk between 140 and 160 degrees Fahrenheit. For the sake of drinkability, it's important not to steam milk past 170 degrees. Depending on the steamer and the amount and temperature of the milk you're steaming, steaming can take between 10-40 seconds in most cases.[4] It's a really good idea to have a thermometer at hand to put in the milk. That way you can make sure it's the exact temperature you want without having to resort to guesswork.

    • If you don't have a thermometer, you can gauge the temperature increase by putting your hand up against the outside of the pitcher. Wait until the pitcher starts to get warm to the touch. When the outside of the pitcher gets uncomfortably hot, it should be an indicator that the milk has steamed long enough.[5]
  4. Use your steamed milk quickly.[6] The longer steamed milk is left out, the less palatable it will be in a cappuccino. Milk is very sensitive to heat, and should only be steamed right before it's injected into the cappuccino mug. If you're making a larger batch of cappuccinos at once, hold off from steaming a large quantity of milk at once. Milk that is heated and reheated gets stale and loses its potential for foam.

  5. Pour the hot milk into the cappuccino cup.[7] A cappuccino should be served in a coffee cup, and you'll ultimately need to combine the milk with the espresso. The trick here is to pour the milk in slowly. Any quick movements will risk compromising the foam. Level out your pitcher slowly as you pour.

    • One way to save the most foam for your top is to take a spoon and use it to trap in the foam at the top of the pitcher. When the pitcher is almost empty, you can pour out the foam.
    • Even out the foam with a spoon if it's poured out unevenly.
  6. Tell the difference between a good and bad foam.[8] Getting a perfect foam ultimately depends on your skill. With that in mind, it may take a few times before you get the kind of foam you want. However, you'll need to be able to distinguish a failure from a success to do so. A proper cappuccino foam should be even and soft. A bad foam will look very foamy and might risk frothing off the sides.

    Make Cappuccino Foam Step 6 Version 3.jpg
    • There are two main reasons that could be the cause of a less-than-desired foam result. First, the steamed milk needs to be poured at the right depth. Secondly, the heat may of the steamed milk may have been too high to properly settle into soft bubbles.
    • Don't be discouraged if you get a bad foam the first time you try it. Perfect coffee beverages require a lot more skill that people give it credit for. Each time you try, you'll get a bit closer to figuring out the subtle movements involved in it.

[Edit]Using Other Methods to Make Foam

  1. Use a steam wand with a chilled metal pitcher.[9] A steam wand will heat up your milk in a way doesn't affect the taste of the milk. Dip your steam wand into the milk until its approximately a centimeter away from the bottom of your pitcher. As heat tends to rise, steaming it from the bottom up will ensure that your milk heats evenly.

  2. Try a milk frother. Unlike a steamer, where the bubbles are a welcome side effect, a frother is specifically designed to give milk bubbles. They're relatively inexpensive and can be purchased online if need be.[10] Put your frother tip about a centimeter below the surface and hold it under for approximately 20 seconds while it froths. Move the frother slowly around the cup to make sure the bubbles are even.

    • If you use a frother, you won't need to use a steamer to heat the milk. In that case, milk can be heated on stovetop or in the microwave.
  3. Shake up your milk for an easy froth. If you're making a cappuccino, it's assumed that you're wanting to go for quality over convenience. All the same, you can get a functional froth by shaking milk up before heating it.[11] Put a cup of cold milk into a sealed jar or container. Shake it vigorously for up to a minute. Immediately after, throw it in the microwave and heat for 30 seconds. The heat is necessary for a proper cappuccino, but heating the milk will also stabilize the microbubbles you'll have formed from the shaking.

    • This is a good quick fix, and recommended if you're not particular about your cappuccinos. Keep in mind, however that your foam won't look nearly as good as if you steam it.

[Edit]Presenting Your Cappuccino

  1. Draw art on your cappuccino. Drawing a design atop your cappuccino can be done through purposeful movement as you pour the milk into your espresso cup. It is very tricky to do and can take months for some baristas to get the proper hang of it. However, leaving a simple heart or swirl pattern on the top of your cappuccino foam can make it look all the more professional and classy when it's served. There are lots of possible designs for all different skill levels.[12]

    • For a heart shape, begin pouring in the centre and let shift the pour from side to side.[13]
    • If your steamed milk is really foamy, latte art will be virtually impossible.[14]
  2. Add cinnamon and chocolate flakes to your foam. Cappuccinos are valued for their presentation almost as much as their taste. Cinnamon and chocolate flakes will help to add to both. Once you have your foam settled, sprinkle these on as an afterthought. Even if you're making it from home, this technique can make your cappuccino look like a professional delicacy.

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  3. Use proper cappuccino cups. Cappuccino cups should be small, plain, elegant and handled. Depending on the size of your cappuccino, the cups you choose should hold up to 12 ounces. Cappuccinos take more effort to make than regular coffee, so you shouldn't use any old cup for it. Even if you think aesthetics don't matter, you may nonetheless find you enjoy the drink more if you put due respect into the way it's served.

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    • Make sure the cup size matches the amount of cappuccino you're serving. Cafe culture tends to value smaller sizes in order to emphasize taste over gorging. Even if you only have a certain amount of cappuccino to drink, putting it in a cup that's too big will rob it of some of its visual appeal.
  4. Serve with small cookies. Cookies, biscotti, brownies, muffins or other pastry snacks are a longtime friend of cappuccinos and other coffee drinks. Put a couple of cookies on a plate next to your cappuccino. In doing so, you'll elevate it from a drink to a multi-part cafe experience. Enjoy!

    Make Cappuccino Foam Step 13 Version 3.jpg

[Edit]Tips

  • The word "cappuccino" is derived from the Capuchin Monks. The drink got its name from sharing a similar color to the clothes they were known for wearing.[15]

[Edit]Warnings

  • Coffee products shouldn't be served in larger portions than 12 ounces. Some cafe aficionados will snub their noses at sizes greater than 6 ounces. Depending on who you're trying to impress (if anyone) this may be something to keep in mind.
  • Cappuccinos are hot. Be careful not to burn yourself while you're making one.

[Edit]Things You'll Need

  • Fresh cold milk (at least one cup)
  • Brewed espresso
  • A pitcher
  • Cinnamon and other add-ons
  • A steam wand

[Edit]Related wikiHows


[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

How to Write an Analysis

Posted: 08 Nov 2019 12:00 AM PST

An analysis is a piece of writing that looks at some aspect of a document in detail. To write a good analysis, you'll need to ask yourself questions that focus on how and why the document works the way it does. You can start the process by gathering information about the subject of your analysis and defining the questions your analysis will answer. Once you've outlined your main arguments, look for specific evidence to support them. You can then work on putting your analysis together into a coherent piece of writing.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Gathering Information and Building Your Argument

  1. Review your assignment carefully. Before you begin working on your analysis, make sure you have a clear understanding of what you are supposed to do.[1] If you're writing an analysis for a class, your instructor probably provided detailed instructions for completing the assignment. If not, don't hesitate to ask them questions about what they expect of you. Try to find out:
    Write an Analysis Step 1 Version 4.jpg
    • If your analysis is supposed to answer a specific question or focus on a particular aspect of the document you are analyzing.
    • If there are any length or formatting requirements for the analysis.
    • The citation style your instructor wants you to use.
    • On what criteria your instructor will evaluate your analysis (e.g., organization, originality, good use of references and quotations, or correct spelling and grammar).
  2. Gather basic information about the subject of your analysis. Most analysis assignments involve picking apart a single document. You could be asked to analyze a textual document, such as a book, a poem, an article, or a letter. Some analyses focus on visual or auditory sources, such as a painting, a photograph, or a film. Identify exactly what it is you will be analyzing, and gather basic information, such as:[2]
    Write an Analysis Step 2 Version 3.jpg
    • The title of the document (if it has one).
    • The name of the creator of the document. For example, depending on the type of document you're working with, this could be the author, artist, director, performer, or photographer.
    • The form and medium of the document (e.g., "Painting, oil on canvas").
    • When and where the document was created.
    • The historical and cultural context of the work.
  3. Do a close reading of the document and take notes. Once you've gathered some basic information, examine the document closely. If your analysis is supposed to answer a specific question or address a particular aspect of the document, keep that in mind. Write down your thoughts and impressions. For example, if you're analyzing an advertisement poster, you might make note of:[3]
    Write an Analysis Step 3 Version 4.jpg
    • Who you believe the intended audience is for the advertisement.
    • What rhetorical choices the author made to persuade the audience of their main point.
    • What product is being advertised.
    • How the poster uses images to make the product look appealing.
    • Whether there is any text in the poster, and, if so, how it works together with the images to reinforce the message of the ad.
    • What the purpose of the ad is or what its main point is.
  4. Determine which question(s) you would like to answer with your analysis. An analytical piece of writing should have a clear, narrow focus.[4] It should also answer specific "how" or "why" questions about the document you are analyzing, rather than merely summarizing its contents. If your assignment doesn't already ask you to focus on a specific question or aspect of the document, you'll need to select one.
    Write an Analysis Step 4 Version 4.jpg
    • For example, if you're analyzing an advertisement poster, you might focus on the question: "How does this poster use colors to symbolize the problem that the product is intended to fix? Does it also use color to represent the beneficial results of using the product?"
  5. Make a list of your main arguments. Once you've narrowed down the focus of your analysis, decide how you plan to answer the relevant question(s). Briefly note your major arguments. These will form the main body of your analysis.[5]
    Write an Analysis Step 5 Version 3.jpg
    • For example, you might write, "This poster uses the color red to symbolize the pain of a headache. The blue elements in the design represent the relief brought by the product."
    • You could develop the argument further by saying, "The colors used in the text reinforce the use of colors in the graphic elements of the poster, helping the viewer make a direct connection between the words and images."
  6. Gather evidence and examples to support your arguments. Simply presenting your arguments will not be enough. In order to convince the reader, you'll need to provide supporting evidence.[6] Most of this evidence should come from within the document that you're analyzing, although you can also cite contextual information that might offer further support.
    Write an Analysis Step 6 Version 3.jpg
    • For example, if you're arguing that the advertisement poster uses red to represent pain, you might point out that the figure of the headache sufferer is red, while everyone around them is blue. Another piece of evidence might be the use of red lettering for the words "HEADACHE" and "PAIN" in the text of the poster.
    • You could also draw on outside evidence to support your claims. For example, you might point out that in the country where the advertisement was produced, the color red is often symbolically associated with warnings or danger.

[Edit]Organizing and Drafting Your Analysis

  1. Write a brief thesis statement or topic sentence. Most analyses begin with a brief summary of the main points that the analysis will make. Writing your thesis first will help you stay focused as you plan out and draft the rest of your analysis. In 1 or 2 sentences, summarize the major argument(s) you will be making. Be sure to include the name and author (if known) of the document you are analyzing.[7]
    Write an Analysis Step 7 Version 3.jpg
    • For example, "The poster 'Say! What a relief,' created in 1932 by designer Dorothy Plotzky, uses contrasting colors to symbolize the pain of a headache and the relief brought by Miss Burnham's Pep-Em-Up Pills. The red elements denote pain, while blue ones indicate soothing relief."
  2. Create an outline for your analysis. Building on your thesis and the arguments you sketched out while doing your close read of the document, create a brief outline. Make sure to include the main arguments you would like to make as well as the evidence you will use to support each argument. For example, your outline might follow this basic structure:
    Write an Analysis Step 8 Version 3.jpg
    • I. Introduction
      • a. Background
      • b. Thesis
    • II. Body
      • a. Argument 1
        • i. Example
        • ii. Analysis/Explanation
        • iii. Example
        • iv. Analysis/Explanation
      • b. Argument 2
        • i. Example
        • ii. Analysis/Explanation
        • iii. Example
        • iv. Analysis/Explanation
    • c. Argument 3
        • i. Example
        • ii. Analysis/Explanation
        • iii. Example
        • iv. Analysis/Explanation
    • III. Conclusion
  3. Draft an introductory paragraph. Your introductory paragraph should provide basic background information about the document you are analyzing, as well as your thesis or topic sentence. You don't need to provide a detailed summary of the document, but do provide enough information that your audience will have a basic understanding of what you are talking about.[8]
    Write an Analysis Step 9 Version 3.jpg
    • For example, "In the late 1920s, Kansas City schoolteacher Ethel Burnham developed a patent headache medication that quickly achieved commercial success throughout the American Midwest. The popularity of the medicine was largely due to a series of simple but eye-catching advertising posters that were created over the next decade. The poster 'Say! What a relief,' created in 1932 by designer Dorothy Plotzky, uses contrasting colors to symbolize the pain of a headache and the relief brought by Miss Burnham's Pep-Em-Up Pills."
  4. Use the body of the essay to present your main arguments. Following the guidance of your outline, flesh out the major arguments you would like to make. Depending on the length and complexity of your analysis, you might devote 1 or more paragraphs to each argument. Each paragraph should contain a topic sentence summarizing what it is about, along with 2 or more sentences expanding on and supporting the topic sentence. Make sure to include specific examples and evidence to support each argument.[9]
    Write an Analysis Step 10 Version 3.jpg
    • Make sure to include clear transitions between each argument and each paragraph. Use transitional words and phrases, such as "Furthermore," "Additionally," "For example," "Likewise," or "In contrast . . ."
    • The best way to organize your arguments will vary based on the individual topic and the specific points you are trying to make. For example, in your analysis of the poster, you might start with arguments about the red visual elements and then move on to a discussion about how the red text fits in.
  5. Compose a conclusion that sums up your analysis. In your concluding paragraph, summarize the main ideas and arguments that you made in your analysis. Try to avoid simply restating your thesis, however. Instead, you might end with 1 or 2 sentences discussing further work that might be done based on your analysis, or look for a way to tie your conclusion in to the opening of the essay.[10]
    Write an Analysis Step 11 Version 3.jpg
    • For example, you might end your essay with a few sentences about how other advertisements at the time might have been influenced by Dorothy Plotzky's use of colors.
  6. Avoid presenting your personal opinions on the document. An analytical essay is supposed to present arguments based on clear evidence and examples. Don't focus on your opinions or subjective reactions to the document.[11]
    Write an Analysis Step 12 Version 3.jpg
    • For example, in your discussion of the advertisement, avoid stating that you think the art is "beautiful" or that the advertisement is "boring." Instead, focus on what the poster was supposed to accomplish and how the designer attempted to achieve those goals.

[Edit]Polishing Your Analysis

  1. Check that the organization of your analysis makes sense. Once you've drafted your analysis, read it over and make sure that it flows in a logical way. Make sure that there are clear transitions between your ideas and that the order in which you present your ideas makes sense.
    Write an Analysis Step 13 Version 3.jpg
    • For example, if your essay currently skips around between discussions of the red and blue elements of the poster, consider reorganizing it so that you discuss all the red elements first, then focus on the blue ones.
  2. Look for areas where you might clarify your writing or add details. When you're writing an analysis, it's easy to accidentally leave out details that might make your arguments clearer. Read over your draft carefully and look for any areas where you might have left out relevant information.[12]
    Write an Analysis Step 14 Version 3.jpg
    • For example, you might look for places where you could provide additional examples to support one of your major arguments.
  3. Cut out any irrelevant passages. Check your essay for tangents or extraneous details that don't support the main focus of your analysis. Remove any sentences or passages that aren't directly relevant to what you're trying to say.[13]
    Write an Analysis Step 15 Version 3.jpg
    • For example, if you included a paragraph about Dorothy Plotzky's previous work as a children's book illustrator, you may want to cut it if it doesn't somehow relate to her use of color in advertising.
    • Cutting material out of your analysis may be difficult, especially if you put a lot of thought into each sentence or found the additional material really interesting. Your analysis will be stronger if you keep it concise and to the point, however.
  4. Proofread your writing and fix any errors. Once you've spotted any major organizational issues, go over your analysis carefully. Look for any problems with spelling, grammar, or punctuation, and correct them. This is also a good time to make sure that all of your citations are correctly formatted.[14]
    Write an Analysis Step 16 Version 2.jpg
    • You may find it helpful to have someone else go over your essay and look for any mistakes you might have missed.

[Edit]Sample Analysis Outline and Conclusion

[Edit]Video

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

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