Steps to an analytical paper Create a cover

Steps to an analytical paper…

* Create a cover page with your name, class period, date and title of the document.

“The First Painters” Pat the Patriot 5 th Period Due date: Aug. 18 th

* Type the paper (Use 12 point Times New Roman Font) Do not use bold type! The first painters … The first painters…

* Double-space (no character spacing, no extra spacing at the top or bottom of your papers, no extra spacing between paragraphs)

How to “fix” a common spacing error Many times you will have an extra space between paragraphs. The easiest way to correct this problem is to write the entire paper in single space and then highlight the text and double space at the end. The other way to correct the problem is to go to the paragraph line spacing options from your home tab and select “remove space before or after paragraph”…. this will eliminate the spacing error.

* Use 1” margins on the sides, top and bottom. This is an example of using 1” margins in your papers. Go to the File menu and select “Page Set-Up”. Then change the settings to 1. 00 on top/ bottom/ left and right indent. Always indent 5 spaces when you begin a paragraph.

Always write using rd 3 person…. do not use I or you and limited use of personal pronouns (he, she, it)…

* Write the first paragraph or thesis statement. In your own words, write approximately 100 words about the basis of the paper…like the DBQ & other formal papers do not begin with “This paper is about…” Introduce background information and the authors and titles of the books or articles that you are analyzing.

* Write the second paragraph. What is the basis of the first author’s point of view on the topic? Using approximately 100 words what does your textbook & lecture/class discussion have to say about the subject matter or time period.

* Write third paragraph. nd What is the basis of the 2 author’s point of view on the topic? Using approximately 100 words what does your textbook & lecture/class discussion have to say about the subject matter or time period.

* Write the fourth paragraph. This is your comparison paragraph. Again using approximately 150 -200 words compare and contrast the articles.

Write your fifth paragraph…this is your conclusion paragraph. In this paragraph you will express your opinion on the subject matter or any other related topic. Which point of view do you most agree with and why? Remember, keep it in 3 rd person

* Proof read and spell check for any mistakes. Watch your use of weak words including…says, a lot, very, got, get, there is, there are, there were, really, good, bad, quite, things, never, forever talks about, speaks of, tells of, about, this paper discusses, goes on to say…remember that a paper cannot talk!

Action words to use… The author (not the paper) contends, asserts, illustrates the point, examines, infers, states, concludes etc… Step up your vocab and it will BECOME your new vocab!

Do not refer to historical figures or authors by their first names…. you are not on a first name basis with George Washington… Read your paper out loud—you will catch mistakes. Let someone else read your paper—BUT DO NOT SHARE your paper (send electronic copy) to someone else--DO YOUR OWN WORK and let others do their own work!