1. A Level Analysis
Tips for analysis
Why is the tip key?
How to avoid mistakes

2. Be tentative – always use modal verbs which offer choice e. g
Be tentative – always use modal verbs which offer choice e.g. could, may, might, perhaps
Reference the technique but avoid saying the phrase ‘in the language technique’ or ‘in the structural technique’, as the examiner already knows this Always refer to we when writing about the text; try to avoid I or me
Reference the writer using the writer’s surname
Be concise in the way you write: avoiding waffle in your answer
Step out and be specific about what the text overall means or tells you, so you can give an overview of meaning, then zoom in on quotes. We sometimes refer to this as going from the general to the specific
Finish analysis: when you make a point about a quote, such as, this builds tone or tension, then you must say how or why it does this, otherwise it is a half-finished statement of analysis
Never refer to quote or word in analysis – state the word class of the technique or embed the quote without the introductory phrase ‘in the quote’
Choose smaller and more specific quotes to analyse, perhaps breaking a longer quote into two shorter quotes as you will find your analysis is richer and more specific with this structure for quote selection (you can also split a longer quote using ellipsis in the middle of the quote to show you have left information out)
Avoid context in the essay
Ensure you offer alternative opinions embedded throughout the essay
Do give a brief introduction and conclusion as well as your main three sections
Ensure you have fully explored meaning (without repetition of your key points)
When giving a reader response ensure you elaborate on why the reader might feel sympathy
Analyse the quotes and the meaning without just telling the story of the poem – don’t be too narrative in your response
Check your sentence structures make sense
Check your basic SPAG
Make sure you have compared both poems – use connectives of comparison and link back to the question