Five Step Guide on Analysing Texts
- Han Li
- Apr 23, 2024
- 1 min read
Updated: May 15, 2024
Step 1| Learn the Techniques
Techniques | Definition | Example |
Allegory | Like a parable, it is a story which tells an important lesson | Tortoise and the Hare Slow and steady wins the race Boy who Cried Wolf Lying is bad |
Alliteration | Phrases where words start with the same letter | Charlie’s Chocolate Factory Fair is foul and foul is fair |
Allusion | Make a reference to another historical/ religious item | It was like the Garden of Eden. Sally’s smile could only be rivalled by Mona Lisa. My sculpture was tilted like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. |
Analogy | Explain something using a relatable example, like an extended metaphor | Not getting a vaccine is like going through a red light. You can do it but you might end up hurting others too. |
Anaphora | Start sentences with the same words. | I have a dream. I have a dream girls will be holding hands with little white boys |
Anecdote | A personal story | Anytime your friend tells you an amusing/ interesting story |
Antithesis | Statement that contains contrast but it makes sense | Chocolate is unhealthy but it’s great for mental health. Writing is time consuming but it makes for a great time. |
Appeal to ethos | Appeals to your sense of ethics, right and wrong (sustainability, parenthood, biodiversity) | Plastic is killing animals. |
Appeal to logos | Appeals to your sense of logic | The money you can save from smoking is enough for a house deposit. |
Appeals to pathos | Appeals to emotion | How would you feel if this happened to you? |
Assonance | Repetition of vowel sounds | I feel the need, the need for speed The rain in Spain falls mainly on the Plain |
Consonance | Repetition of consonant sounds | I like to hike while carrying my new bike. |
Enjambment | Continuing a line of poetry to the next without interruption | A wave flows A dove goes |
Foreshadowing | A warning about something that will happen | “Oh look! A muzzle flash!” Ronald said… |
Humor (dark, self - deprecating, sarcastic) | ||
Hyperbole | An over exaggeration | I'm so hungry I could eat a cow. |
Hypophora | A question in a text which the writer immediately answers. | “What is the point of this? To help you concentrate.” |
Imagery (visual, auditory, olfactory, tactile, ) | Fireworks exploded with rainbow like colours | |
Juxtaposition | Happy and Sad | |
Metaphor | Time is money | |
Motif | Ghost of Banquo throughout the play of Macbeth | |
Onomatopoeia | BOOM! | |
Oxymoron | Words that are together but instead are usually not | Bittersweet |
Personification | The trees danced in the forest | |
Rhetorical questions | Why do we go to school? | |
Rhyme | DarkBark | |
Sarcasm | ||
Satire | ||
Simile | As hot as the sun | |
Symbolism | Crows could symbolise death | |
Synaesthesia |
Step 2| Use words other than ‘show’
Words to use instead of show Accentuate Allude Clarify Contrast Convey Demonstrate Depict Divulge Elucidate Emphasise Exemplify Exhibit Foreshadow Illustrate Infer Insinuate Juxtapose Liken Manifest Persuade Portray Postulate Represent Signify Substantiate Symbolise |
Step 3| What is it trying to show?
Discuss particular themes? | Set a tone? | Evoke emotions? |
Research tools:
| Academic Aggressive Approachable Assertive Brutally honest Calm Colloquial Concerned Creative Formal Humourous Informal Light-hearted Passionate Patronising Perturbed Relaxed Sarcastic Satirical Serious subtle Urgent | Anger Excitement Exhilaration Gratitude Guilt Happiness Melancholy Misery Nostalgia Resentment Shame Shock |
Step 4| Develop a big theme idea, then find 3 - 4 pieces of evidence under this theme
If this step isn't consuming a lot of your time, you are either doing it wrong or you are JK Rowling
Technique | Example | Effect |
Step 5| Add connectives to create a STEEL/ PEEL Paragraph
Connectives Table
Adding on | Suggesting a similarity | Pointing out a difference |
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