How do you analyze and evaluate a text?
Your analysis will help you and your readers gain an understanding of the text. To analyze the text, you should ask yourself several questions:
• What is the main point the author is making?
• Why is he/she making this point?
• What audience is the author writing for?
• How does the author argue his/her point?
• How does the author support his/her argument?
• Consider how the work relates to a broader issue or context.
To evaluate a text, judge how well the author makes his/her argument. This is the part that comments on the strengths and usefulness of the text, as well as its weaknesses or omissions. As you evaluate, you might ask yourself the following questions:
• Does the author’s argument make sense?
• Is the text easy to understand or is it confusing?
• Does the author back up his/her point with evidence?
• Does the author take opposing viewpoints into account?
• Is the author reliable? Does he/she use reliable sources?
Sample Solution
