Today is rung 4 of 13 on this topic
The analytical essay
Can do: Writes paragraphs where analysis takes up more space than quotation or summary.
Why it matters
The commonest weakness in high-school essays is quote-heavy, analysis-light writing. Fixing the ratio now is worth a grade.
What it looks like when it's wobbly
A long quote, then one sentence of comment, then the next quote.
⏱️ Two-minute check
Take a paragraph of theirs. "Count the words of quotation versus the words of your own analysis."
Solid looks like: Analysis at least twice the length of the quotation.
The full activity for this topic · 25 minutes
The Two-to-One Rule
- 1Highlight all quoted material in one colour, all their own analysis in another.
- 2Measure the ratio by eye. Most drafts are the wrong way round.
- 3For each quote, add two more sentences: what technique is at work, and what effect it has.
- 4Cut every quote to the shortest version that still works.
- 5Reread and check each paragraph answers the essay question, not just the text.
If it's too hard
One paragraph, one quote, three sentences of analysis.
If it's too easy
Analyse two quotes in one paragraph and connect them to a single point.
Say this
"The quote isn't the argument — it's the evidence. What are you saying about it?"