14 ✨Analytical Thinking: An AI Enhanced Pre-Writing Exploration

Analysis is a fundamental skill that forms the crucial first steps in the writing process. It involves thinking deeply and critically about a subject before you begin drafting. It’s more than just summarizing information; it’s about exploring the “why” behind the “what.” This pre-writing activity will guide you through a process of analytical thinking, leveraging the power of AI as a collaborative partner to prepare you for the writing ahead.

Choosing Your Subject: Open Exploration

For this pre-writing activity, you have complete freedom to choose the subject you want to analyze. This allows you to focus on something that genuinely interests you, which can make the analytical process more engaging and rewarding. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• A book you’ve read recently.
• A film or TV show you enjoyed (or disliked).
• A current event or social issue.
• A historical figure or event.
• A work of art or music.
• A scientific concept or discovery.

The Five Steps to Analytical Thinking

Think of analysis as a five-step pre-writing process.

1. Ask Questions: Begin by brainstorming as many questions as you can about your chosen subject. Don’t worry about whether the questions are “good” or “bad” at this stage; just generate a comprehensive list. This initial brainstorming helps you explore the topic and identify potential areas of focus for your writing. Your subject can be anything you’re interested in exploring – a book, film, current event, historical figure, or even a concept.

2. Ask More Questions: It’s likely your initial questions are surface-level. Push yourself to think deeper and ask more challenging questions. Explore different angles and consider less obvious aspects of the subject. This step helps you move beyond the obvious and delve into more nuanced issues.

3. Ask Harder Questions: Now that you’ve exhausted the easy questions, delve into the more complex issues. Consider themes, symbols, character motivations, and other less obvious elements. What questions can you ask about these deeper aspects? This stage is where you begin to develop your own unique perspective on the topic.

4. Think of Possible Answers: For the more complex questions you’ve generated, brainstorm possible answers. Remember, there are rarely single “right” answers, especially when dealing with interpretation and meaning. Focus on generating multiple possibilities. This exploration of different answers is essential for developing a well-rounded understanding of the topic.

5. Consider Why the Answers Matter: Once you have some possible answers, consider their implications. So what? If a particular interpretation is correct, how does it change your understanding of the subject? Does it add new meaning? Does it alter your perception of characters, themes, or other elements? This step helps you determine which aspects of your analysis are most relevant and significant for your writing.

AI Collaboration: Step-by-Step Feedback

To practice analysis as described above, engage with an AI for each step of the process by following the instructions below.

1. Ask Questions (AI Prompt): Begin by choosing your subject. Then, use the following prompt with the AI: “I’m exploring [your subject] for a writing project. Please prompt me to brainstorm as many questions as I can about it.” The AI can then guide you through this initial brainstorming process, perhaps by suggesting different angles to consider or asking follow-up questions.

2. Ask More Questions (AI Prompt): After generating your initial list, use this prompt: “Those were some good starting questions. Now, prompt me to ask more challenging and in-depth questions about [your subject]. I want to move beyond the obvious and explore more nuanced issues.” The AI can help you push past the surface level and delve into more complex aspects.

3. Ask Harder Questions (AI Prompt): Once you feel you’ve explored the topic in some depth, use this prompt: “Now, prompt me to ask even harder questions about [your subject]. I want to focus on deeper aspects like themes, symbols, character motivations, and less obvious elements.” The AI can then help you identify and explore these more subtle aspects.

4. Think of Possible Answers (AI Prompt): For the more insightful questions you’ve developed, use this prompt: “For the questions I’ve asked about [your subject], please prompt me to brainstorm possible answers. Remind me that there may be multiple interpretations and encourage me to consider different perspectives.” The AI can help you explore a range of possible answers for each question.

5. Consider Why the Answers Matter (AI Prompt): Finally, use this prompt: “Now that I have some possible answers, prompt me to consider their implications. Ask me ‘so what?’ and encourage me to explain how each answer might change my understanding of [your subject]. Help me identify which aspects of my analysis are most relevant and significant for my writing.” The AI can help you connect your interpretations to the larger meaning and significance of your chosen subject.

6. Summarize and Reflect (Your Task): After working through each step with the AI, you will have a rich collection of questions, answers, and insights. Now, it’s time to create a concise summary of your analytical thinking process,. This summary will be a valuable resource as you move into the drafting phase of your writing process. Reflect on your experience working with the AI. How did it enhance your analytical thinking? Did it challenge your assumptions or open up new avenues of exploration?

From Analysis to Argument: Preparing for Drafting

Remember that the ultimate goal of analysis in the pre-writing phase is to prepare you for developing your own arguments when you begin drafting. By engaging in this process of questioning, answering, and explaining the significance of your interpretations, you are laying the groundwork for constructing a well-supported thesis and a compelling essay. The insights you gain through this activity will be invaluable as you move towards crafting your own analytical essays. This pre-writing work will make the drafting process much smoother and more effective.