What does it mean to analyze a text?

Analyzing a text involves examining its components in detail. This means looking closely at various parts of the text, such as its structure, themes, character development, language choices, and the author's intent. Through analysis, readers gain a deeper understanding of how different elements work together to create meaning or convey messages. This skill allows readers to interpret the text beyond a surface-level understanding, which is crucial for engaging with literature and various types of written work effectively.

While summarizing a text is about recounting its main points in your own words, and critiquing the author's style focuses on personal judgments about the writing, both of these actions do not require the in-depth investigation that analysis entails. Memorizing key points also falls short of analytical thinking, as it does not involve the critical examination or interpretation of the text’s components. Therefore, examining a text in detail is the best definition of what it means to analyze.