Animal tracks are more visible at these times of day, when the slant of the light makes it easier to see the shadows made by tracks. Tracking when the sun is high in the sky is a lot harder. In addition, many animals are more active in the morning and evening than they are in the middle of the day. Getting close to the ground and looking at the tracks sideways can also help you see the tiny indents and ridges that indicate an animal walked over a certain spot. Start where you can clearly see tracks. The easiest way to start tracking an animal is to begin in a spot where you see undeniable tracks, like in freshly fallen snow or in a muddy spot. From there, you can follow the tracks to areas where they're not quite as easy to detect. Experienced trackers use their sense of touch as much as their sense of sight to figure out which way an animal went. Try tracking while blindfolded to get an even deeper understanding of the animal. Feel the animal's prints and search along the ground with your hands until you find more. Follow them until you understand the way the animal moved through the forest or meadow.

Summary: Track in early morning or late afternoon or early evening. Use your hands to see.

Before you begin working on your analysis, make sure you have a clear understanding of what you are supposed to do. If you're writing an analysis for a class, your instructor probably provided detailed instructions for completing the assignment. If not, don't hesitate to ask them questions about what they expect of you. Try to find out: If your analysis is supposed to answer a specific question or focus on a particular aspect of the document you are analyzing. If there are any length or formatting requirements for the analysis. The citation style your instructor wants you to use. On what criteria your instructor will evaluate your analysis (e.g., organization, originality, good use of references and quotations, or correct spelling and grammar). Most analysis assignments involve picking apart a single document. You could be asked to analyze a textual document, such as a book, a poem, an article, or a letter. Some analyses focus on visual or auditory sources, such as a painting, a photograph, or a film. Identify exactly what it is you will be analyzing, and gather basic information, such as: The title of the document (if it has one). The name of the creator of the document. For example, depending on the type of document you're working with, this could be the author, artist, director, performer, or photographer. The form and medium of the document (e.g., "Painting, oil on canvas"). When and where the document was created. The historical and cultural context of the work. Once you've gathered some basic information, examine the document closely. If your analysis is supposed to answer a specific question or address a particular aspect of the document, keep that in mind. Write down your thoughts and impressions. For example, if you're analyzing an advertisement poster, you might make note of: Who you believe the intended audience is for the advertisement. What rhetorical choices the author made to persuade the audience of their main point. What product is being advertised. How the poster uses images to make the product look appealing. Whether there is any text in the poster, and, if so, how it works together with the images to reinforce the message of the ad. What the purpose of the ad is or what its main point is. An analytical piece of writing should have a clear, narrow focus. It should also answer specific "how" or "why" questions about the document you are analyzing, rather than merely summarizing its contents. If your assignment doesn't already ask you to focus on a specific question or aspect of the document, you'll need to select one. For example, if you're analyzing an advertisement poster, you might focus on the question: "How does this poster use colors to symbolize the problem that the product is intended to fix? Does it also use color to represent the beneficial results of using the product?" Once you've narrowed down the focus of your analysis, decide how you plan to answer the relevant question(s). Briefly note your major arguments. These will form the main body of your analysis. For example, you might write, "This poster uses the color red to symbolize the pain of a headache. The blue elements in the design represent the relief brought by the product." You could develop the argument further by saying, "The colors used in the text reinforce the use of colors in the graphic elements of the poster, helping the viewer make a direct connection between the words and images." Simply presenting your arguments will not be enough. In order to convince the reader, you'll need to provide supporting evidence. Most of this evidence should come from within the document that you're analyzing, although you can also cite contextual information that might offer further support. For example, if you're arguing that the advertisement poster uses red to represent pain, you might point out that the figure of the headache sufferer is red, while everyone around them is blue. Another piece of evidence might be the use of red lettering for the words "HEADACHE" and "PAIN" in the text of the poster. You could also draw on outside evidence to support your claims. For example, you might point out that in the country where the advertisement was produced, the color red is often symbolically associated with warnings or danger.

Summary: Review your assignment carefully. Gather basic information about the subject of your analysis. Do a close reading of the document and take notes. Determine which question(s) you would like to answer with your analysis. Make a list of your main arguments. Gather evidence and examples to support your arguments.

When you adhere to a daily routine, your life may begin to feel stale and boring. Disregard your strict schedule and infuse your life with spontaneity. Welcome opportunities to do something unexpected each day. This may include: Buying flowers for yourself or a loved one. Striking up a conversation with a stranger. Lunching in the park or at a new restaurant. Saying "yes" to an adventure. Fear may manifest itself as boredom, because it can limit the experiences you allow yourself to have. Have the courage to pursue an interesting life. When you face your fears, you grow as an individual and open yourself to a life full of new possibilities. Everyone has a hobby, craft, or sport that they have always wanted to explore, develop, or practice. Often, however, we don't allow ourselves to commit the time or resources necessary to pursue our passions. In an effort to transform your mundane existence into an interesting life, grant yourself permission to fully immerse yourself in a hobby or craft. To make the most of your resources, look for online deals. Ask a friend to join you. Learning doesn't cease when you leave school; it is a lifelong process. An intellectually stimulating course can reinvigorate your life. In addition to challenging yourself, you are providing yourself with something to look forward to each week. Consider taking a course in the arts, humanities, or sciences. Sign up for a dance or exercise class. Join a language course, reading group, or cooking class.
Summary: Be spontaneous. Tackle your fears. Try new activities. Take a class.