How to *actually* ANALYSE any GCSE English question!

Hi there!

So on Monday, I began by giving you an easy way to EASE into analysis – this super skill that if you master, you’ve basically mastered English GCSE and you’re CLEAR. (Shhh.. don’t tell your teachers!)

Today, I want to encourage you to go on step further and actually APPLY this to an actual question. The question I am going to use is the “language” question in Language Paper 2, Question 3 (2022 Exam).

EXAMPLE:

The question I'm answering is: "How does the writer use language to describe the rain and the storm?" and the quote l'm going to analyse is:

"Suddenly, there was a squall of activity"

1️⃣ STEP 1: START WITH TECHNIQUE

Analysis is in the "explanation" part of my P.E.E.L Paragraph and with this example, l'll focus on the SIBILANCE in the words "suddenly" and "squall". This is my technique and I'll write:

The writer uses sibilance in "suddenly" and "squall" to convey the terror the rain and the storm caused.

⭐️Many GCSE Students write a sentence like this in their exams and assume they've done enough "analysis" before they move on to find another quote. If you quote from a text and mention technique and a brief effect, you'll probably get a Grade 4 or 5. If you want to get a 6-9, you must move on to..

✨PS: I’m running a GCSE English Language Masterclass covering this in detail (and more!): https://www.firstratetutors.com/masterclass

2️⃣ STEP 2: ZOOM IN:

Pick one word from the same quote, label it (is it a noun, verb, adjective, etc?) and explain its effect:

The verb "squall" depicts just how much noise people made as they scrambled for cover once it started raining.

This is word-level analysis. If you do this in your paragraphs (as well as mention technique - you're at a Grade 6/7 level). How do we go up to an 8 or even a 9?

3️⃣ STEP 3: EXPLAIN READER EFFECT

Go a step further in the same example and mention how the word you selected affects us as readers, what we imagine when we read the word and what it "connotes":

This verb connotes fear and it is intriguing for us as readers in conveying how the rain and the storm triggered panic.

When you add this final step - you're writing in far more depth than 90% of students across the country when you're sitting your English GCSE Exams.

FREE GCSE ENGLISH WRITING FRAME:

PS: Download my FREE GCSE English Writing Frame for analysis here (click on the

image): https://www.firstratetutors.com/offers/LyBaqmhH/checkout

KEEN TO KNOW MORE?

Join my Language Paper 1 masterclass on Sunday 14 September and you will get:

✅ Language Paper 1: 2026 Exam Papers (in the new format!)

✅ Model answers for Language Paper 1

✅ Colour coded breakdown of how to develop killer analysis

✅ Ask me as many questions as you want!

Sign up here: https://www.firstratetutors.com/masterclass