A Simple Formula for Writing Analysis Sentences on Essay Exams

Delivering thoughtful, fact-packed analysis in your essay exams is the best way to earn points while placing your professor in their happy place when grading your work.   

It can also feel like an incredibly daunting skill to master. 

Some of us get that gut feeling when reading a fact pattern.  We know a fact is relevant and related to an issue, but we struggle to articulate why.  Others mix analysis from several different rules into one or more complicated sentences.

That’s why I created a simple formula to help you write analysis that includes the clear and consistent explanations your professors expect in your exams.  

Let’s dive in!

Element-Based Rules

An element-based rule has requirements that must be proven to establish a claim or defense.  This generic rule for battery is an example of an element-based rule: Battery is the intentional causing of a harmful or offensive contact with the person of another.

The five elements necessary to prove battery are deconstructed in parenthesis: Battery is the [intentional] [causing] of [a harmful or offensive] [contact] [with the person of another].

Each element has its own rule definition, and the facts in your exam will either satisfy or negate each element. The plaintiff will succeed on a battery claim if all elements are satisfied. If one element is not satisfied, the plaintiff will be unsuccessful. 

After you identify the element (the “I” of your IRAC) and provide the rule (the “R” of your IRAC), it’s time for you to rock the analysis. 

My Simple Formula for Writing Excellent Analysis Sentences

Every analysis sentence for element-based rules must include three things:

• A fact or set of facts.
• The fact(s) impact on the element rule (whether the fact satisfies or negates the element rule).
• An explanation of why the fact(s) satisfies or negates the element rule.

When you put these three components together in a sentence, it looks like this:

The fact that [state the fact that satisfies or negates the element] satisfies/negates the element [state the element in terms of your position] because [explanation of how/why the fact satisfies or negates the element].

An Example: Using the Formula to Write Analysis in Your Essay Exam

Assume our generic rule for the intent element of battery is: An actor possesses intent if they act with substantial certainty that the result of their action is likely to occur. 

Now assume one of the facts in your Torts exam was that Tony did not like Jamal. So, Tony quickly moved the chair out from underneath Jamal just as Jamal started to sit down, causing Jamal to fall to the floor and break his tailbone. 

An example of a good analysis sentence that applies this fact to the intent element rule is:

When Tony quickly moved the chair out from behind and underneath Jamal as he began to sit down on the chair (component #1: fact), Tony knew with substantial certainty that Jamal would contact the ground (component #2: impact of fact) because when someone is squatting to sit where they believe a chair will be and the chair is quickly removed from behind them, gravity will cause the squatting person to fall to the ground (component #3: explanation).

Component 1:  Identify the Fact(s) that Satisfy/Negate the Intent Element

Your analysis sentence must use the exact fact from the fact pattern. Resist the urge to summarize the facts in your own words. 

Sometimes, one fact satisfies/negates the element for one reason; other times, several facts satisfy/negate the element for the same reason.  Try to keep each analysis sentence simple and related to one rule, fact, or set of facts and explanation.  If multiple facts impact the element for various reasons, create several analysis sentences that articulate the importance of each fact or set of facts. 

Component 2:  The Impact of the Fact(s) on the Intent Element

Your analysis sentence must state whether the fact satisfies or negates the rule.  In our example, we said: “…Tony knew with substantial certainty that Jamal would contact the ground....”  which signals that the fact satisfies the intent element rule. 

Component 3:  The Explanation

This is where the points are in the essay exam.  I’ve honestly gone back and increased a student’s overall grade on an exam because their explanation stood out, was creative, and showcased a true understanding of the rule.

In our example, notice that this component starts with the word “because.”  This word is the holy grail of your analysis.  When you include “because” in every analysis sentence, you avoid feedback remarks from your professor like conclusory, why?, missing analysis, explain the relevance, or why is this important?

Explanations can be other facts in the same pattern, policy behind the element or rule, a theme you’ve created from cases with similar or different outcomes, or your own reasonably related explanation based on your life experiences. 

Whenever you write a practice exam or short hypo with element-based rules, ensure your analysis sentences include the three components (and avoid these other common essay mistakes whenever you can)!

Your exam will flow better, you won’t stall when explaining the importance of the fact, and your grades will increase exponentially!

Be sure to check out the other way to write analysis on exams (by applying or distinguishing cases).