1. Focus on quality, not quantity. There may be dozens of reasons that support your view. Pick
only the best.
2. Consider opposing viewpoints and possible reasons for defending them. Are any of these
reasons compelling? If so, why? If not, why not?
3. Revise and rethink your thesis as various arguments or interpretations emerge. You may have
to try different—even opposite—conclusions before you can be sure that your position is the best one.
Structuring the Essay
There are many different ways to structure an analytic essay. Which structure is best depends on the type of essay, the main goals of the essay and the discipline for which it is written. Here are some
examples of alternative structures: