Academic genres
Different academic assignments follow different conventions. Knowing what each genre expects helps you meet readers' needs.
Literary analysis
A literary analysis argues for an interpretation of a literary work, supported by close reading of textual details. It uses present tense to discuss the text ('Hamlet hesitates'), integrates short quotations with explanation, and focuses on how the work creates meaning rather than retelling the plot.
Avoiding plot summary
The most common weakness in literary analysis is summarising instead of analysing. Assume readers know the plot. Mention events only to support your interpretation: not 'Then Gatsby throws a party' but 'Gatsby's lavish parties, attended by guests who barely know him, expose the emptiness of his attempt to buy belonging.'
Argumentative and position papers
Argumentative essays defend a position on a debatable issue using evidence and reasoning, address counterarguments, and often propose action. They appear across disciplines and in public writing such as op-eds.
Lab reports
Lab reports in the sciences describe an experiment using a standard structure: title, abstract, introduction (background and hypothesis), methods (enough detail to replicate), results (data, often in tables and graphs, without interpretation), and discussion (interpretation, errors, implications). Writing is precise, objective, and concise.
Reflective writing
Reflective essays and journals explore your own experiences and learning, often using the first person. Good reflection goes beyond describing what happened to analysing what it meant and how it changed your thinking or practice. Models such as Gibbs' reflective cycle guide this process in fields like nursing and education.
Abstracts and summaries
An abstract is a short summary, often 150-250 words, at the start of a research paper, stating the purpose, methods, main findings, and conclusions. It lets readers decide whether to read the full paper. Write it last, once you know your findings.
Essay exams
Timed essay exams reward planning: read the question carefully, underline key verbs (compare, evaluate, explain), jot a quick outline, state a clear thesis early, and support it with specific examples. Leave a few minutes to reread for clarity and obvious errors.
Worked example
Question: 'Evaluate the effectiveness of the New Deal.' 'Evaluate' requires a judgement, not just description. A strong answer opens with a thesis such as 'The New Deal provided crucial relief and lasting reforms but did not by itself end the Depression', then supports each part with specific programmes and evidence, and acknowledges historians' differing views.
Key takeaways
Literary analysis interprets texts using close reading and present tense, avoiding plot summary. Argumentative essays defend debatable positions with evidence. Lab reports follow a standard structure from abstract to discussion. Reflective writing analyses experience and learning. Abstracts summarise papers briefly. Essay exams reward careful reading of the question, planning, and a clear thesis.
Flashcard
Argues an interpretation of a literary work
Check your understanding
What is the most common weakness in student literary analysis essays?