📊Analysis Techniques

Text, Cartoon & Graph Analysis

📄

Text Analysis

🎨

Cartoon

📊

Graph/Chart


📄 Text Analysis

Aufbau einer Textanalyse

Verwende den "TATTE"-Satz für die Einleitung und analysiere dann Inhalt, Struktur und Sprache.

📋 Structure

Introduction (TATTE)

  • Title – Titel des Textes
  • Author – Autor
  • Text type – Textsorte (article, speech, comment...)
  • Topic – Hauptthema
  • Extra info – Erscheinungsdatum, Quelle

Summary (Zusammenfassung)

  • Main points in your own words
  • Use present tense
  • Be objective (no opinion yet)

Analysis (Analyse)

  • Structure of the text
  • Arguments used
  • Language and style
  • Rhetorical devices
  • Author's intention

Evaluation (Bewertung) - if required

  • Your opinion on the text
  • Effectiveness of arguments
  • Critical perspective

🔤 Useful Phrases for Text Analysis

Introduction

The article "[Title]" by [Author], published in [Source] on [Date], deals with...
Der Artikel "[Titel]" von [Autor], veröffentlicht in [Quelle] am [Datum], behandelt...
The text focuses on the issue of immigration to the United States.
Der Text konzentriert sich auf das Thema Einwanderung in die USA.

Summary

The author argues that... / The author claims that...
Der Autor argumentiert, dass... / Der Autor behauptet, dass...
According to the author, ... / The text states that...
Laut dem Autor... / Der Text besagt, dass...

Analysis

The author uses [device] to emphasize...
Der Autor verwendet [Stilmittel], um... zu betonen.
This creates the effect of... / This appeals to the reader's emotions.
Dies erzeugt den Effekt von... / Dies spricht die Emotionen des Lesers an.
The tone of the text is [formal/informal/emotional/neutral].
Der Ton des Textes ist [formal/informell/emotional/neutral].

📚 Stylistic Devices (Stilmittel)

Device Explanation Example
Metaphor Comparison without "like" "America is a melting pot."
Simile Comparison with "like" or "as" "Migrants flood in like a river."
Rhetorical Question Question not expecting an answer "Who wouldn't want a better life?"
Anaphora Repetition at the beginning "We need hope. We need change."
Hyperbole Exaggeration "Millions are dying at the border."
Irony Saying the opposite of what is meant "The 'land of the free' – unless you're an immigrant."
Alliteration Same starting sounds "The pursuit of peace and prosperity."

📝 Complete Example Text Analysis

Introduction (TATTE):

The article "America's Immigration Dilemma" by Sarah Johnson, published in The New York Times on March 15, 2024, deals with the ongoing debate about immigration policy in the United States. The author intends to present a balanced view of the issue while ultimately arguing for more humane immigration policies.

Summary:

The text begins by outlining the current state of immigration to the United States. The author states that over one million people attempt to enter the country each year, many fleeing violence and poverty in Central America. She then presents arguments from both sides of the debate. Supporters of stricter policies argue that illegal immigration threatens jobs and national security, while advocates for reform claim that immigrants contribute significantly to the economy. The author concludes by calling for a "middle ground" that balances border security with humanitarian concerns.

Analysis:

The text is structured in a clear, logical manner with an introduction, presentation of opposing viewpoints, and a concluding statement. The author uses several stylistic devices to strengthen her argument. For example, she employs the metaphor "America is a nation built by immigrants" to appeal to the reader's sense of national identity. She also uses rhetorical questions such as "Can we really turn our backs on those seeking the same opportunities our ancestors sought?" to engage the reader emotionally.

The tone of the text is formal yet accessible, appropriate for a newspaper opinion piece. The author uses factual arguments supported by statistics (e.g., "immigrants contribute $2 trillion to the GDP annually") alongside emotional appeals. This combination of logos and pathos makes the argument persuasive to a broad audience.

Evaluation:

Overall, the article presents a well-balanced analysis of a complex issue. The author's use of both factual evidence and emotional appeals makes the text convincing. However, one could argue that she oversimplifies some aspects of the debate. Nevertheless, the article succeeds in encouraging readers to consider immigration from multiple perspectives.

✅ Text Analysis Checklist

  • ☐ TATTE introduction
  • ☐ Summary of main points
  • ☐ Structure analysis
  • ☐ Stylistic devices identified
  • ☐ Author's intention
  • ☐ Evaluation (if required)

🎨 Cartoon / Caricature Analysis

Aufbau einer Karikaturanalyse

Karikaturen übertreiben Merkmale, um politische oder soziale Kritik zu üben.

📋 Structure

Description (Beschreibung)

  • What do you see? (people, objects, setting)
  • What text/labels are included?
  • What is exaggerated?
  • Describe from left to right, foreground to background

Analysis (Analyse)

  • What symbols are used? What do they represent?
  • What stereotypes or caricatures are shown?
  • What is the relationship between the elements?

Interpretation (Deutung)

  • What is the message/criticism?
  • What is the cartoonist's intention?
  • Is it effective? Why/Why not?

🔤 Useful Phrases for Cartoon Analysis

Description

The cartoon shows / depicts / illustrates...
Die Karikatur zeigt / stellt dar / illustriert...
In the foreground/background, we can see...
Im Vordergrund/Hintergrund können wir... sehen.
On the left/right side, there is...
Auf der linken/rechten Seite gibt es...
The caption/label reads: "..."
Die Bildunterschrift/Beschriftung lautet: "..."

Analysis

The [object] symbolizes / represents / stands for...
Das/Der [Objekt] symbolisiert / repräsentiert / steht für...
The cartoonist uses exaggeration to highlight...
Der Karikaturist verwendet Übertreibung, um... hervorzuheben.
This is a reference to...
Dies ist eine Anspielung auf...

Interpretation

The cartoonist criticizes / mocks / questions...
Der Karikaturist kritisiert / verspottet / hinterfragt...
The message of the cartoon is that...
Die Botschaft der Karikatur ist, dass...
The cartoon effectively conveys the idea that...
Die Karikatur vermittelt effektiv die Idee, dass...

📝 Complete Example Cartoon Analysis

Description:

The cartoon shows the Statue of Liberty in the center of the image. Instead of holding her iconic torch, she is holding a large red sign that reads "CLOSED." Her facial expression appears sad and apologetic. In the background, on the right side, a long line of people can be seen waiting at a border fence. The people are drawn small and in dark colors, carrying bags and suitcases. Some appear to be families with children. The sky is grey and cloudy, creating a somber atmosphere.

Analysis:

The Statue of Liberty is one of America's most powerful symbols. Traditionally, she represents freedom, hope, and welcome for immigrants – her torch lighting the way for "huddled masses yearning to breathe free" (as inscribed on her base). By replacing the torch with a "CLOSED" sign, the cartoonist creates a stark contrast between America's historical values and its current policies.

The cartoonist uses several visual techniques: The exaggerated size of the "CLOSED" sign emphasizes the message of rejection. The small, anonymous figures in the background represent the millions of migrants affected by immigration restrictions. The grey, gloomy colors reinforce the negative tone and create a sense of hopelessness.

Interpretation:

The cartoonist clearly criticizes America's restrictive immigration policies. The message is that the United States has betrayed its core values as a "nation of immigrants." By showing Lady Liberty herself holding the sign, the cartoon suggests that the entire American identity is being contradicted. The cartoon is highly effective because it uses a universally recognized symbol to make its point immediately clear. The viewer understands the criticism without needing explanation – America, once the land of opportunity, is now turning away those who need it most.

✅ Cartoon Analysis Checklist

  • ☐ Detailed description (left to right, foreground to background)
  • ☐ Text/labels mentioned
  • ☐ Symbols identified and explained
  • ☐ Exaggeration noted
  • ☐ Message/criticism explained
  • ☐ Effectiveness evaluated

📊 Chart / Graph Analysis

Types of Charts

  • Bar chart – Balkendiagramm
  • Line graph – Liniendiagramm
  • Pie chart – Kreisdiagramm
  • Table – Tabelle

📋 Structure

Introduction

  • What type of chart is it?
  • What is the title/topic?
  • What is the source?
  • What time period does it cover?

Description of Data

  • Main trends (increase, decrease, stable)
  • Highest and lowest points
  • Significant changes or patterns
  • Comparisons between categories

Interpretation (if required)

  • What conclusions can be drawn?
  • What might explain the trends?
  • Connection to the topic (migration)

🔤 Useful Phrases for Graph Analysis

Introduction

The bar chart / line graph / pie chart shows...
Das Balkendiagramm / Liniendiagramm / Kreisdiagramm zeigt...
The data was collected from [source] and covers the period from... to...
Die Daten stammen aus [Quelle] und umfassen den Zeitraum von... bis...

Describing Trends

increased / rose / grew / went up (sharply / gradually / steadily)
stieg (stark / allmählich / stetig)
decreased / fell / dropped / declined / went down
sank / fiel / ging zurück
remained stable / stayed constant / leveled off
blieb stabil / konstant
peaked at... / reached its highest point at...
erreichte seinen Höhepunkt bei...
hit a low of... / dropped to its lowest point...
erreichte einen Tiefstand von...

Comparisons

In comparison to... / Compared with...
Im Vergleich zu...
... is twice as high as... / ... is significantly higher/lower than...
... ist doppelt so hoch wie... / ... ist deutlich höher/niedriger als...
The majority (X%) of... / Almost half of...
Die Mehrheit (X%) von... / Fast die Hälfte von...

📝 Complete Example Graph/Chart Analysis

Introduction:

The bar chart shows the number of immigrants to the United States from 2010 to 2023. The data was collected by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and displays annual immigration figures in millions. The chart uses blue bars to represent each year, with the y-axis showing the number of immigrants (0-2 million) and the x-axis showing the years.

Description of Data:

According to the data, immigration remained relatively stable between 2010 and 2015, fluctuating between 1.0 and 1.1 million per year. From 2015 to 2016, there was a sharp increase, with numbers rising to 1.5 million – the highest point in the entire period. However, after 2016, immigration began to decline significantly. The numbers dropped steadily from 1.5 million in 2016 to approximately 700,000 in 2020, representing a decrease of over 50%. In 2021 and 2022, the figures remained low at around 750,000 before showing a slight recovery in 2023 to approximately 900,000.

In comparison to 2016, the 2020 figures are less than half. The lowest point was reached in 2020, when immigration hit a 10-year low.

Interpretation:

The data clearly shows how political decisions and external factors directly impact immigration patterns. The sharp decline after 2016 can likely be attributed to stricter immigration policies implemented by the Trump administration, including travel bans and reduced visa quotas. The further drop in 2020 was likely exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which restricted global travel and closed borders worldwide.

The chart illustrates that immigration is highly sensitive to both policy changes and global events. The recent slight recovery in 2023 may indicate a gradual return to pre-pandemic levels under different political circumstances. Overall, the data demonstrates that immigration to America is not constant but fluctuates significantly based on push and pull factors as well as government policies.

✅ Graph/Chart Analysis Checklist

  • ☐ Type of chart identified
  • ☐ Title/topic and source mentioned
  • ☐ Time period stated
  • ☐ Main trends described
  • ☐ Highest/lowest points noted
  • ☐ Comparisons made
  • ☐ Interpretation (if required)