“Anchoring” in Academic Writing

As far as I know, this is a term I’ve made up in relation to academic writing.

This grew from a need to help students better organize academic papers.

The need to manage multiple texts makes CLEAR organization more important than ever!

Made up term?

Think of our general structureClaim

Point

Evidence

Analysis

Point

Evidence

Analysis

Point

Evidence

Analysis

Conclusion

While this model is a paragraph, remember that it can be expanded for essay purposes!

Our analysis of a text must be anchored TO that text / definition.

We must establish that we FULLY UNDERSTAND the text / definition before we can prove that our analysis is VALID.

Organizationally, it helps the reader to see us return to the anchor text before each explanation. Builds context for WHY we are saying what we’re saying!

Tie to Anchoring…

What are we asked to do? What exactly are we writing about?

Are there any terms, jargon, words that we need to define?

What are we comparing, contrasting, analyzing, discussing?

1…Decipher the Prompt

Usually those terms that need defining.

The ONE text we are reading.

The central text we are comparing back to.

2…Decide what the ANCHOR is in our Response

3…Writing Must Refer Back to the Anchor

Claim

Point

Evidence

Analysis

Point

Evidence

Analysis

Point

Evidence

Analysis

Conclusion

Establish an explanation about the ANCHORShow how your analysis explains the anchor text.

Repeat multiple times in a paragraph….or in an essay…or in an extended, really long paper

Transitions Allow the reader to follow your logic Permit the reader to see when you are going

back to anchor.

Showing While Writing Makes your thinking (analysis) clear to

someone who is not you!

4…Transitions and Showing While Writing

Explain how Jack London uses foreshadowing in “To Build a Fire.”

1) Must define…foreshadowing.2) Definition of foreshadowing will be anchor.3) Alternate between a method of foreshadowing

and how that method shows up in the short story.4) Follow-up with how that example of

foreshadowing matters.

Examples with Jargon Definitions

Explain how the checks and balances system worked in the Watergate Scandal on the 1970s.

1) Must define…checks and balances2) Definition of checks and balances will be anchor3) Must state an element of checks…show how it

worked in Watergate…analysis…another element of Watergate….analysis…element of Watergate…analysis…etc.

Discuss which songs or artists Betty Friedan would agree with or support, given your reading of The Feminine Mystique (by Betty Friedan)

Example with a Clear Anchor

Analysis

Analysis

Analysis

Claim of Agreement / Support

• Claim must be made that relates to the prompt.

• Give line from Feminine Mystique / Friedan (anchor)

• Line from other text that would be “supported” (comparison).

• Section of analysis that SHOWS why the song would be “supported” by Friedan.

• REPEAT as called for by assignment.

How does the battle of Normandy exemplify the advice given in The Art of War (by Sun Tzu)?

Claim of Battle Adhering to Art of War Principles

Analysis

Use of height

Analysis

Analysis

Use of surprise

Analysis…REPEAT…

• Claim made that sets up a response to the prompt.

• Give line from Art of War(anchor)

• Line from other text that would be “supported” (comparison).

• Section of analysis that SHOWS why the comparison text supports the claim.

• REPEAT as called for by assignment.

When there is a prompt that asks to compare, contrast, discuss, etc….

There might not be a definite ANCHOR TEXT.

Oftentimes the LONGER text can serve as the anchor.

Other times, the AUTHOR determines the anchor text based upon what he or she writes about FIRST But, reading and analyzing might help flesh out a more

“central” text.

Example with Variable Anchor

Discuss the siblings’ relationships with each other as revealed by their experiences with snow. Using To Kill a Mockingbird section Using “Snow” poem

Contrast the authors’ comments about effort. Using “Try” by P!nk Using “Please, Please, Please” by the Smiths

Examples

Why are relationships between fathers and sons so important? Using “My Father’s Son” from Kinky Boots Using “Little Boy Be a Man” from Catch Me if

You Can Using a selection from Death of a Salesman Using a clip from Kronk’s New Groove

Examples

“Anchoring” in Academic Writing