How to Write a 4-Paragraph Analysis of a song, a picture, or a writing
by Stan Rummel

Our aim is to translate a "primary" source into one "integrating" value, without using any secondary information (emphasizing instead the interaction between the viewer/listener/reader and the work itself). We move from

(1) Identification and General Description of Content to
(2) Emotional Response and (3) Message to
(4) Integrating Value

This divides the report into four paragraphs:

FIRST PARAGRAPH: identification and general description of content

• First, identify the work -- what is it? -- for instance, a specific chapter from a book? a particular picture?
• Then, give a general description of the content of the work (enough so that your reader can tell what it's about). Would your reader have a general image of a picture you describe? a general impression of a song? an overall feeling for a writing?

SECOND PARAGRAPH: your emotional response

• First, state your emotional response (one emotion) to the work.
• Then, support your response with observations.

* The observations should use categories (line, color, shape, texture, and design) from "Exploring Values in Art, Music, and Writings."
* Answer questions from the categories to validate your emotional response to the work.
* Explain why each of your observations supports your response.

THIRD PARAGRAPH: message that you derive from the work

• First, state one message you derive from the work. "Message" describes what you think the work is trying to say to you.
• Then, support your statement of the message with observations.

* The observations should use categories (line, color, shape, texture, and design) from "Exploring Values in Art, Music, and Writings."
* Answer questions from the categories to validate the message you have identified.
* Explain why each of your observations supports the message you have identified.

FOURTH PARAGRAPH: integrating value

• First, name the integrating value you attribute to the work. The integrating value should be stated in a word or short phrase. DO NOT USE A RELATIONSHIP OR A PERSPECTIVE AS A VALUE.
• Then, show that the value connects the emotion and message you have discussed in the preceding paragraphs. DO NOT ADD/REPEAT  OBSERVATIONS/DESCRIPTION OF THE WORK IN THIS PARAGRAPH.