How To Go from A to D in English Analysis

All analytical essays require an introduction, a couple analytical paragraphs and a conclusion. Within every analytical paragraph, there is a topic sentence, at least three analytical sentences and a concluding sentence. For each analytical sentence, you need to provide an example quote, name the technique, and accurately state the meaning and impact on the reader. To achieve an A – level standard of writing, ensure your analytical sentences contain the three parts, have correct interpretations and mature vocabulary is used. Here is an example of A - level analytical essay.

Historical texts shed light on the cruel reality of war by dismissing common myths of potential glory. Wildred Owens’ poem ‘Mental cases’ (1983) and Louise Eldrich’s short story ‘The Red Convertible’ both utilise a multitude of literary techniques to depict the horrifying gore experienced by the traumatised soldiers, dispelling illusions of greatness about war.

In “Mental Cases”, Owens paints a visual image of the gruesome experiences of soldiers in war. In ‘Batter and shatter of flying muscle’, the combination of rhyme and onomatopoeia imitates the violent noise of gunfire and artillery, thus emphasising the physical trauma inflicted upon the soldiers. Finally, the metaphor “flying muscle” compares the flesh of the soldiers being gunned down to glass shattering, evoking a sense of sympathy and grief towards the traumatised soldiers. Owens utilises a metaphor in ‘awful falseness of set-smiling corpses’ comparing the soldier’s expressions to cadavers forced to smile. Moreover, the consonance reinforces the emptiness and desolation of the soldiers, thus creating a harsh quality to the poem. Through a combination of literary techniques, Owens effectively communicates the disillusionment, torment and horrors of war soldiers.

In ‘The Red Convertible’, Eldrich depicts the roller-coaster experience of a traumatised returned soldier Henry. Eldrich highlights how Henry “sat in his chair gripping the armrests with all his might”, evoking a sense of sympathy. Furthermore, the hyperbole of “as if the chair itself was moving at a high speed” communicates the apprehension of the returned soldier. The sense of anguish juxtaposes with Henry’s calamity and peace prior to conscription, as he ‘sat still for whole afternoons, never moving a muscle’. Through the use of contrasting imagery, Eldrich conveys the brutality of war and ruination of soldiers.

In summary, historical texts give insight into the plight of war soldiers by dispelling common myths of potential glory. Wildred Owens’ poem ‘Mental cases’ and Louise Eldrich’s short story ‘The Red Convertible’ depicts the traumatic experiences inflicted upon soldiers by making use of literary techniques.

However, many students do not remember to do this. Instead, they seem determined to get a lower grade. Here are some shortcuts to getting a bad English grade.

Method 1 – Interpret the meaning wrong

In ‘Batter and shatter of flying muscle’, the combination of rhyme and onomatopoeia imitates the clumsy noises of soldiers cooking pancakes enthusiastically in the kitchen.

Method 2 – Use primary school vocabulary

In ‘Batter and shatter of flying muscle’, the combination of rhyme and onomatopoeia shows the soldiers killing each other to make us feel very sad and angry.

Method 3 – Assume your teacher is a mind reader and knows exactly which quote you’re analysing

Somewhere in ‘the poem’, the combination of rhyme and onomatopoeia imitates the violent noise of gunfire and artillery, thus emphasising the physical trauma inflicted upon the soldiers.

Method 4 – Name the technique incorrectly

In ‘Batter and shatter of flying muscle’, the combination of witty puns and humour imitates the violent noise of gunfire and artillery, thus emphasising the physical trauma inflicted upon the soldiers.

Method 5 – Don’t interpret the meaning at all

In ‘Batter and shatter of flying muscle’, there is a combination of rhyme and onomatopoeia.