KEY TERMS AND ELEMENTS OF ANALYSIS

OBSERVATION
An observation is a statement that is true and not arguable. There must be specific and conclusive evidence that an observation is true. Observing well means getting a full, objective, precise view of what a text or part of a text IS. It could be said that observation is about “IS-ness.” Observations can serve as evidence.

INFERENCE
An inference is a statement based on very strong circumstantial evidence and/or prior knowledge, but not based solely on direct observation. The cooperation of two or more observations may make an inference. (If A is true and B is true then you can infer C.) A sound inference could be wrong only under very bizarre and unlikely circumstances.

EVIDENCE
Evidence is an observation used in making an argument. Like all observations, pieces of evidence need to be factual, true, beyond dispute. If your evidence itself is debatable then any argument you base on it doesn’t stand a chance. Evidence alone, however, cannot make an argument. You need to handle the evidence by explaining how your evidence proves your claim.

INTERPRETATION / CLAIM / THESIS
An interpretation or claim is a statement proposing a significance or meaning for an object or work. There should exist specific evidence that this statement is true but that evidence cannot be immediately conclusive. There should not be conclusive evidence that this statement is false. If observations clarify what a text IS, then interpretations or claims seek to explain what a text is ABOUT.

SPECULATION
A speculation is a statement for which there is no specific supporting or contradicting evidence. This statement could be true or false, and there is no way to tell which.

FALSEHOOD
A falsehood is a statement that is demonstrably not true. There exists specific and conclusive evidence that this statement is wrong.

SUMMARY
A summary is an objective overall description of the object under study. Summaries should not be lists of specific details but rather should be characterizations of the whole. Summaries should not contain interpretations or anything arguable. Anyone should agree with a summary, regardless of his or her views on the matter.

ANALYSIS
Analysis is the process by which you explore the parts of an object or work in an effort to understand its nature and composition and through which you build a claim about its significance or meaning.

Analysis is also the part of your argument in which you demonstrate the truth or validity of a claim or interpretation by handling your evidence persuasively. You need to connect what IS (evidence / observation) with what your are claiming it is ABOUT (interpretation / claim), and the discussion you build that does this connecting is your analysis.