Step 1: Strategic Highlighting: Read the question to identify the specific focus (e.g., a character's fear) and highlight the exact line range in the text to avoid irrelevant analysis.
Step 2: Annotation for Effect: Scan the text for vivid verbs, unusual adjectives, or striking imagery, and immediately note why they are effective in the margin rather than just labeling them.
Step 3: Drafting with Embedded Quotes: Start paragraphs by referencing the question's focus and weave short, precise quotations directly into your sentences to maintain a professional, analytical flow.
Step 4: Deconstruction: Break down a chosen phrase to the word level, exploring how a single word's connotations contribute to the overall mood of the passage.
Step 5: Synthesis and Conclusion: Summarize how the various linguistic choices combine to achieve the writer's broader goal for that specific section of the narrative.
Level 3 (Explanation): This involves providing clear descriptions of how language works and identifying techniques correctly, but it often stays on the surface of the text's meaning.
Level 4 (Analysis): This requires a deeper, perceptive exploration of the writer's craft, uncovering underlying meanings and the subtle artistic choices that shape the reader's experience.
| Feature | Explanation (Level 3) | Analysis (Level 4) |
|---|---|---|
| Depth | Clear and relevant | Perceptive and detailed |
| Focus | How the feature works | Why the writer chose it |
| Terminology | Accurate identification | Integrated to enhance points |
| Interpretation | Standard understanding | Fresh or nuanced insights |
Avoid Feature Spotting: Never list techniques (e.g., 'The writer uses a simile') without explaining the specific effect; identifying a technique without analysis earns very few marks.
Embed Your Evidence: Instead of writing 'The quote is...', integrate the text: 'The writer's use of the "jagged" landscape suggests a sense of danger.'
Quality Over Quantity: It is better to write deeply analyzed paragraphs than shallow ones; focus on the most interesting language rather than trying to cover everything.
The "Reader" Trap: Avoid vague statements like 'this makes the reader want to read on'; instead, specify the exact emotion or thought the reader is led to have.
Line Reference Errors: Students often lose marks by analyzing the very first paragraph of a source when the question specifically directed them to start at line .
Over-quoting: Using long, multi-line quotes makes it difficult to pinpoint specific language effects; use 'micro-quotes' of words for maximum precision.
Speculative Analysis: Avoid guessing what might happen later in the book; stay focused entirely on the evidence provided in the specified lines.
Technical Distraction: Do not get so caught up in finding complex Greek terms for techniques that you forget to explain what the words actually mean in the story.
