Writing an essay on an article is a common assignment in many college courses. This type of assignment requires thoroughly analyzing a source article and using critical thinking skills to form an argument in response. Following are the key steps to successfully writing an essay on an article:
Carefully read the article. An essential first step is carefully reading the full article at least twice. The first read should be to gain a general understanding of the overall content and main ideas. On the second read, take notes highlighting key points, evidence used, arguments made, and other important details. Note any opinions, biases, supporting facts, conflicting evidence, gaps in logic or data, and conclusions drawn by the author. By thoroughly understanding what the author is saying, you can begin formulating your own analysis.
Determine the main argument. Identify the central claim or thesis the article is making. Analyze how the author constructs and supports this argument throughout the text. Note where and how evidence is used to back up points. Determine if arguments logically flow together or if logical fallacies are present. Pinpointing the main argument allows you to focus your own analysis on agreeing, disagreeing, or adding a new perspective to that central claim.
Consider the context and reliability. Research relevant context that informs analysis, like the author’s background and potential biases. Evaluate the reliability and credibility of sources used to back up points. Question whether data or evidence is incomplete, outdated, relevant to the claims being made, or sourced from reputable researchers. Accounting for context and source reliability strengthens or weakens how persuasive the overall argument is.
Formulate your own argument. With a solid understanding of the article’s content and argument, formulate your own thesis that agrees, disagrees, or expands on the original source. Decide if you will analyze a different perspective, fill in gaps, address flaws in logic, challenge assumptions or conclusions, etc. Your thesis should be specific, focused on a single point, argued consistently throughout your essay, and directly related to discussing or analyzing the given source article.
Organize with an outline. Create a formal outline organizing your essay into a clear introduction, body paragraphs with topic sentences, and conclusion. The intro should introduce the article, its central argument, and your own thesis. Body paragraphs should each present a main point supporting your thesis with textual evidence and analysis. Link analysis back to discussing the article’s argument. The conclusion should restate your thesis and assessment of the article’s argument without introducing new information.
Introduce the article. The introduction should introduce and provide necessary context for the article. Summarize the main argument and purpose concisely without reproducing large portions of text. Establish your analytic stance and thesis for your essay. A clear intro engages the reader and previews your position and discussion.
Analyze with evidence. Each body paragraph should make a clear and specific point directly supporting your thesis through analysis of the article’s text. Weave quotes or summaries of evidence from the article into addressing your point. Don’t just drop in quotes—contextualize them by explaining their significance and how they relate to your paragraph’s topic sentence and overall argument. Address contrasting or confirming perspectives objectively with an academic tone.
Draw logical conclusions. The conclusion should refrain from introducing new information and analysis. Simply restate your thesis and provide a high-level summary of the key discussion points supporting it. Draw logical conclusions on the overall strength and implications of both the article’s original argument and your own analysis presented. Leave the reader with a clear sense of closure on your discussion of and stance related to the given article.
Use proper citation. Any direct quotes, paraphrases, or references to ideas from the article must be properly cited using the style guide format (e.g. APA, MLA, Chicago). Failure to credit text usage is considered plagiarism. Cite all evidence and mention the author’s name with each reference to their work to avoid plagiarizing.
Proofread carefully. After drafting, set your essay aside for a day or two before proofreading. A fresh set of eyes can spot errors you may have missed. Ensure every sentence makes logical sense and flows cohesively into the next. Check for typos, grammar/punctuation mistakes, inconsistent citation practices, and adherence to your outline structure. Edit and refine as needed before submission. Careful proofreading leaves a polished, professional impression.
Following a structured process and these key steps allows you to thoroughly analyze a source article and formulate a logical, evidence-based argument of your own in response. With practice analyzing various texts, you can become adept at breaking down complex written sources and crafting insightful essays contributing new perspectives to academic conversations. Writing essays on articles is an essential college-level research and critical thinking skill.