How to *analyse* ANY EXTRACT & get top marks

“Analysis” is where your marks reside.. improve this and you will SMASH your exams in 11 Days!

In my latest YouTube video, I explain how to analyse ANY extract in English Language & Literature exams:

 

It’s a 10 minute video and if you can’t be bothered to watch it, this is EXACTLY how you analyse in 3 EASY Steps.

EXAMPLE: The question I’m answering is: “How does the writer use language to describe the rain and the storm?” and the quote I’m going to analyse is: “Suddenly, there was a squall of activity”:

✨PS: I’m running Literature Last Minute Revision Classes on 5-9 May - sign up here: https://www.firstratetutors.com/a/2148087404/8QidKcPa

1️⃣ STEP 1: START WITH TECHNIQUE 

Analysis is in the “explanation” part of my P.E.E.L Paragraph and with this example, I’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..

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.

✨PS: If you’re stressing about your English Literature exams - on 5-9 May I’ll run Literature Revision Classes to BOOST your grades so you go into your exams feeling CONFIDENT & READY: https://www.firstratetutors.com/a/2148087404/8QidKcPa 

FREE GCSE ENGLISH WRITING FRAME:

✨PPS: Download my FREE GCSE English Writing Frame for analysis here (click on the image):