Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) Vocabulary – Grade 8 Practice Test

The word "analyze" in the context of a text means to examine in detail to understand the various components and underlying meanings of that text. When readers analyze a piece of literature, they delve deeply into the themes, characters, structure, and language used by the author. This process involves breaking down the text to see how different elements work together to convey a message or evoke a response.

Analyzing goes beyond simply summarizing the main points, as it requires a more critical and in-depth exploration of how and why those points are made. It also includes the examination of evidence within the text, not just inferring meanings, but understanding the intricacies behind the author's choices. While comparison is an important analytical skill, being able to analyze text encompasses a broader range of methods and approaches that involve a detailed examination of the work as a whole.