Using Says/Does Analysis in the Writing Process

Adapted from Dr. Joe Bizup

What is it?

A Says/Does analysis asks you to write a single sentence describing what each paragraph of an essay says and a single sentence describing what it does.

Says

For the “says” part, write a single sentence that fully summarizes the “main point” of the paragraph. Ideally, this will be the topic sentence of the paragraph.

Does

For the “does” part, write a single sentence that describes what a paragraph is doing in terms of PAS (presenting/analyzing/synthesizing) and what it is PAS-ing (an exhibit, idea, argument, theory, etc.).

How do you use Says-Does analysis to improve your writing?

This is primarily a paragraphing tool (but it can also help you section an essay).

• If two paragraphs “say” the same thing (even if they “do” different things), then one of those paragraphs can usually go.
• If it is hard to determine the “main point” of a paragraph, then your paragraph might be saying too many things and you will need to separate your ideas into multiple paragraphs. Alternatively, the problem may be that you have no explicit topic sentence; thus, you need to write one into the paragraph.
• If a paragraph contains information unrelated to its “main point,” then you need to cut extraneous information and refocus the paragraph.
• If two consecutive paragraphs “do” the same thing (with the same source), then you should probably think about condensing and combining them into a single paragraph.
• If it is hard to figure out whether a paragraph is P, A, or S, then you should consider breaking up the content of the paragraph by job/function.
• If it’s hard to figure out how the source in the paragraph is being used (as context, exhibit, argument, or theory), then you need to figure it out and make sure your intended use of the source is clear to both you and your reader.
• If you find that you are presenting for more than two paragraphs in a row, then you need to add a paragraph of analysis. If you have more than two analysis paragraphs in a row, then you should think adding a paragraph of synthesis.

When do you use it?

Use the Says/Does analysis on:

• Exploratory drafts to help identify potential ideas that can form the basis of future paragraphs.
• On ALL non-exploratory drafts (in your other classes too). For this class it’s obvious that you need presentation (of sources), for example, but check your essays for other courses with Says/Does and you may find yourself rather light on presentation. It is ALWAYS necessary. This technique can help you make sure you have included all of the elements a reader needs to understand the content of your essay.

You can also use this says/does analysis as a reading strategy, especially to help with understanding of challenging texts.