Analysis is the process of breaking a complex topic or substance into smaller parts in order to gain a better understanding of it. The technique has been applied in the study of mathematics and logic since before Aristotle (384–322 B.C. ), though analysis as a formal concept is a relatively recent development.

Analysis allows us to see the smaller parts of something and understand more about them. Think about a woollen scarf. If you pull it apart, the strands become looser and you can start to see how it is made – the weave, the threads, the pattern etc. When asked to analyse a piece of writing, you need to look in detail at what the writer has done.

An analysis is a piece of writing that explores, summarises and draws conclusions about a topic. Typically, an analysis involves arguing a particular point of view, idea or theory that is related to this topic. Typically, points made in a well-written analysis include properly researched and supported evidence.