Part-Whole Analysis

Part-whole analysis is the key to understanding the overall argument of an essay and how it all "flows" together.  In the example below, I show the steps for doing a part-whole analysis if Hart's essay, "How to Get a College Education."

Step #1
Identify the parts.
1. Introduction:  126-127 (bottom)
2. 126 (bottom)-129 (top)
3. 129 (top)-break on 129
4. 129 (break)-next to last paragraph
5. Conclusion: last two paragraphs

Step #2
Label the parts.
1. the problem of the confused, vastly undereducated college freshman.
2. the compounding problem of the chaotic, overspecialized college courses
3. his tips for choosing college courses
4. the rationale for a liberal arts education:  produce a citizen by teaching the narrative of Western civilization
5. same as #4

Step #3
Step back and see what the whole is.