Passage Analysis - Guidelines

Mekari - 11 IB 2015-16
Read 3x
• In order to understand a passage and its
meaning, read a passage carefully.

• Suggested:

• 1x - Blind Read: Read the passage

without taking notes. Read for
placement and context.

• 2x - Dissection Read: Read the passage

and pull out all literary and rhetorical
elements that add to meaning and
context.

• 3x - Analytical Read: Read the passage

and determine meaning, purpose and
contextual relevance to the text and to
culture.
Annotate Effectively
• Suggested

• Use multiple pens, pencils, and/or

highlighters.

• Clearly identify elements of style used by the

author to appeal to their audience.

• Determine audience

• Identify tone

• Determine meaning

• Identify stylistic devices

• Identify rhetorical strategies

• Include any relevant commentary that places

the passage in context.
Outline Seana Mekari
11 IB Period 4A
9/8/15
• From your annotations, create a Outline
thesis statement. Thesis:
Point 1:
• Determine three to four main a.
points - worthy of analysis. Point 2:
a.
• Identify your purpose for each b.
point and know which evidences Point 3:
you will use to support those a.
points. b.
c.
• Conclusion - Don’t ever forget Conclusion:
that you will always need to
bring your writing to a
conclusion.
Thesis
• In your thesis you are communicating your original idea
regarding the passage.

• WHAT is the message the author is trying to

communicate?

• WHY is it relevant? Think language and culture!

• HOW is this message communicated?

• Basic Formula:

• In the passage from (text), the author

(author’s name) is emphasizing the
importance of (What?) because (Why?). He
does this through the effective use of
(aspect 1) and (aspect 2).
• Note: This is only a BASIC FORMULA. You should
develop past this structure as your writing skills
develop. -sm
Body Paragraphs
• Focus on the meaning and features that create the meaning.

• In a passage analysis essay, you need to:

• State WHAT the excerpt means

• a) give a brief summary

• b) note the context of the excerpt, and

• c) note the features used to create the meaning

• d) keep it concise; no flowery, superfluous language is

necessary.

• Analyze HOW meaning is created in the text

• a) features

• b) Devices/Techniques - may be multiple paragraphs

• WHY is this important?

• a) What new understanding is gained through study of

these features and this excerpt?

• b) How is the excerpt key to or representative of the work

as a whole?
Conclusion
• Make sure that you do
the following in your
conclusion:

• a) Tie back to your

opening idea

• b) Restate your thesis

• c) End with a final

thought