Hello!
I'm up the analysis part of my IRP and I'm having some trouble actually starting it.
I was wondering if anyone has any tips for me on how to get it started and how to set it out?
In an analysis you are expected to:
* Relate your knowledge to personal experience
* Analyse your current knowledge, your experiences and your own assumptions to gain a broader perspective on the topic
* Communicate things clearly
* Think deeply.
* Ask yourself why something happened, or why something did not happen.
* Ask yourself what was good: why?; what was bad: why?; what was neither good nor bad, yet interesting and relevant: why?
* Think of alternatives; what other things could have happened and how could you devise ways of making them happen?
* Look for other points of view (e.g., different perspectives)
* Look for hidden assumptions in others’ attitudes, and in your own
* Parts and qualities: look at something as a collection of parts (components and relationships), but also as a set of qualities (e.g., values and judgements).
* Look at something from an opposite point of view to challenge it.
* Ask who might be advantaged and who might be disadvantaged by current (and new hypothetical) responses and actions.
Introduction:
1) General opening statement
2) Statement of position
3) Preview of arguments
4) Overview of topic
Condition 1:
1) Topic sentence
2) Use of connective to link to contrasting idea.
3) Present an alternative view to show critical thinking.
continue in the same sort of fashion
4) Add a succinct quote.
5) Last sentence should sum up what you have conveyed in your paragraph.
Add as may condition paragraphs as necessary.
Conclusion:
1) Restatement of position that sums up main points concisely.
2) Connective word that links and evaluates by indicating emphasis.
3) Connective indicating conclusion.
4) Strong concluding statement that widens the parameters of argument.
Also there are sample IRPs here: http://www.boredofstudies.org/view.php?course=35
All the best! 
