Analytical Essays: BAACTI Introduction & Body

• Analytical essays dissect and evaluate a subject, argument, or concept.

Introduction (BAACTI)

• BAACTI is an acronym for Background, Article details, Audience, Contention, Tone, and Intention.
• Background: Briefly introduce the context or situation that prompted the article.
• Article Details: Include the author's name, article type, article name, and publication date.
• Audience: Identify who the author is trying to reach or influence.
• Contention: State the author's main argument or point.
• The author may seek to justify a position or emphasize its importance.
• Tone: Describe the author's attitude (e.g., concerned, opinionated, helpful).
• Intention: Explain what the author hopes to achieve (e.g., to convince the audience).

Body Paragraph Structure

• Begin with a topic sentence that introduces the main point of the paragraph.
• Offer evidence from the text (e.g., direct quotes, examples).
• Explain how the evidence supports the author's argument.
• Include a second piece of evidence.
• Explain how the second piece of evidence further strengthens the argument.
• Conclude with a linking sentence that connects the paragraph's point to the overall argument.

Analyzing Visual Devices

• Start by describing the visual element.
• Explain how the visual imagery supports the author's argument.
• Discuss what the visual symbolizes or represents.
• Explain what the visual emphasizes.
• Connect the visual back to the urgency or importance of the issue.

Conclusion

• Start by summarizing the author's call to action or final point.
• Explain how this reinforces the author's main claim.
• Restate the author's aim and how they encourage or try to influence the audience.