| Feature | Language Analysis | Structural Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Words, metaphors, and adjectives | Order, sequence, and organization |
| Unit | Individual words or phrases | Paragraphs, shifts, and the whole text |
| Question | How do these words describe? | Why is this detail placed here? |
Chronological Approach: Structure your response by following the text from beginning to middle to end. This demonstrates an understanding of the narrative's progression.
Focus on 'Why': Do not just identify a technique (e.g., 'the writer uses a flashback'). Explain why the writer chose to move back in time at that specific moment and what it reveals to the reader.
Use the Bullet Points: The exam prompt usually provides bullet points (beginning, shifts, other features). Use these as a checklist to ensure you cover the entire extract.
Evidence Selection: Use short, precise quotations as 'structural markers' to show where a shift or feature occurs, rather than for linguistic analysis.
Vague Reader Responses: Avoid saying 'it makes the reader want to read on' or 'it interests the reader.' These are 'empty' comments that do not explain the specific effect (e.g., tension, curiosity, or unease).
Technique Spotting: Listing terms like 'linear narrative' or 'cyclical structure' without explaining their effect will limit you to lower marks.
Ignoring the End: Many students focus heavily on the opening and forget to analyze how the writer concludes the piece or how the ending mirrors the beginning.