Common Analysis Frameworks
featuring Student Guides and Interactive Activities
Click on the framework abbreviation or acronym below for interactive activities:
SYN
Synthesis: Process of combining and integrating multiple sources to create a cohesive argument
Primarily used in research and literary analysis.
TP-CASTT
Title, Paraphrase, Connotation, Attitude, Shifts, Title (again) Theme
Used heavily in ELA poetry analysis.
SOAPSTone
Speaker, Occasion, Audience, Purpose, Subject, Tone
Used heavily in AP Lang & AP Gov primary source analysis.
OPTIC
Overview, Parts, Title, Interrelationships, Conclusion
For visual and political cartoon analysis (APUSH, APHG, AP Lang).
Toulmin Argument Model
Claim, Evidence, Warrant, Backing, Qualifiers, Rebuttal
Current academic and AP seminar argument structure method.
CER (Claim-Evidence-Reasoning)
Short argumentative writing used in ELA, SS, & science.
DIDLS / DIDLS+
Diction, Imagery, Details, Language, Syntax (+Tone)
Tone-focused close reading tool.
PIE
Point, Illustration, Explanation
Writing paragraphs that support claims — ELA & SS.
ACE / RACE / RACES
Answer, Cite, Explain variations
Short constructed response structure across all subjects.
APPARTS
Author, Place & Time, Prior Knowledge, Audience, Reason, Tone, Significance
Used for historical documents (APUSH, AP World).
HIPPO / HIPP
Historical Context, Intended Audience, Purpose, Point of View, Outside Info
DBQ and sourcing analysis for AP History.
ICE
Introduce, Cite, Explain
Citation & analysis writing method.
The Big 6 Historical Thinking
From Stanford/NCSS / AP alignment
Context, Sourcing, Close Reading, Corroboration, Causation, Continuity/Change
GRAPES
Understanding Historical Societies & Civilizations
Literary-Focused Methods
SWABTS
Students Will Analyze By Thinking Strategies
Flexible annotation for modern classrooms.
SIFT
Symbols, Imagery, Figurative Language, Tone/Theme
SPACECAT (AP Lang)
Speaker, Purpose, Audience, Context, Exigence, Choices, Appeals, Tone
TWIST
Tone, Word Choice, Imagery, Style, Theme
PEEL / TEEL
Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link
Structure for literature analysis paragraphs.
ICE / TIE / TEXAS
Different evidence embedding strategies in writing.
Visual & Media Literacy Models (Current)
CLAIM
COntext, Layout, Audience, Intent, Message
For multimodal + social media rhetoric.
VTS
Visual Thinking Strategies
Used in museums & ELA to study images critically.
Rhetorical Triangle
Ethos, Pathos, Logos — still a modern staple.
Contemporary Analytical Skills Frameworks
C.R.A.P. Test
Currency, Reliability, Authority, Purpose
For digital source evaluation.
CARS
Credibility, Accuracy, Reasonableness, Support
Critical media literacy tool.
ICED
Idea, Cite, Explain, Discuss
Modern writing strategy used in Common Core districts.