Transcript Recap from Friday’s discussion

Defining “Evidence” and
“Analysis”
TS English/Fall2014
Course Goals
Analysis: To build and support your argument through a
purposeful analysis of evidence and assumptions.
– An argument is “built” on analysis meaning that critical
analysis gives your claim shape and structure. MOST of
the content in any argumentative paper will consist of
analysis
– Analysis “supports” arguments/claims meaning that every
aspect of your analysis should connect to and play a role in
justifying your claim. Analysis that does not support your
claim is extraneous.
Evidence and Analysis
• Evidence is something that you can present as
“the thing that everyone can see and know” – the
obvious or factual
• Physical Sciences - empirical data, quantifiable experiment
results, observable phenomenon
• Social Sciences – interviews, census data, statistics
• History – archival materials, texts, accounts of events
• English – THE TEXT! (alongside history, political background,
etc)
• Evidence is the foundation of any academic
argument. If you don’t have evidence for it, you
can’t argue it!
Evidence and Analysis
• Analysis is the logical, interpretation that
bridges the gap between what we can see and
know (evidence) and what you want to say
(your claim)
• Exists purely to explain how the evidence (the
obvious) can be used to deduce/infer/explain
your argument (which is not obvious)
Evidence and Analysis (rhetorically)
• For your reader:
– Evidence fully discloses the basic sources of your
argument. Makes it clear that the claim you are
making is not based in pure speculation, personal
opinion, or unsubstantiated rumor.
– Analysis helps your reader to follow exactly how you
are using your evidence to make a larger point.
Similar to “showing your work” in math or physics, it
helps to explain not only your “answer” but how you
arrived at that conclusion. If your reader is able to
follow your analysis, they will be more likely to agree
with your argument.
Evidence and Analysis (disciplinarily)
• In English Literary Studies:
– Evidence = Textual Evidence
– Analysis = Interpretation of Language
• One of the most prevalent modes of literary analysis is
“Close Reading” which entails
– A presentation of manageable portions of the text as evidence
– A careful and methodical analysis of the language and meaning
of that particular passage in the service of an argumentative,
interpretive claim
• Close Reading is so common as a critical practice within
Literary Studies that it constitutes a textual convention –
one of the things your audience will expect from you in an
English paper!
Evidence and Analysis (in process)
• When you are working:
– Observation and analysis should be exploratory.
New question and unpredicted opinions can and
should be pursued.
– The goal is not to have a preset opinion which you
then find the evidence to support (ignoring all
others). The goal is to confront the evidence with
logical analysis and record the results. Sometimes
this means changing your original plan.
Recap of Thurs/Fri Discussion
• Monsters are connected to…
– Historically-specific social anxieties/paranoia
– Racial, nationalist stereotypes and prejudices
– Specific political programs (“propaganda”)
– Social values, practices, or institutions that are
considered “abnormal” (ex: gender)