Good Analysis vs Just Describing
Before we look at full exam answers, let's understand the difference between describing what happens and actually analysing the writer's choices.
❌ Just Describing (Low marks)
This is when you just say what happens in the text or identify techniques without explaining their effect.
Example of JUST DESCRIBING:
Ralston writes "the rock smashes my left hand." This shows that the rock hit his hand. He uses the present tense. The rock falls on him and traps his arm.
Why is this weak? It just tells us what happened. It doesn't explain WHY the writer used the present tense or WHAT EFFECT it has on us as readers.
✅ Good Analysis (Higher marks)
This is when you explain WHY the writer made choices and WHAT EFFECT they have on the reader.
Example of GOOD ANALYSIS:
Ralston uses the present tense when he writes "the rock smashes my left hand." This makes the accident feel immediate and shocking, as if we're experiencing it right now alongside him. The violent verb "smashes" emphasises the sudden force and pain, making the reader feel his panic in that moment.
Why is this better? It explains WHY he uses present tense (to make it feel immediate) and HOW it affects us (we feel his panic). It also analyses the verb choice.
More Examples: Description vs Analysis
❌ Just Describing
Adichie uses repetition of the word "stories."
✅ Good Analysis
Adichie repeats "stories" throughout to emphasise that stories are powerful and important. This repetition makes her central message stick in the reader's mind.
❌ Just Describing
Ralston uses short sentences like "Then silence."
✅ Good Analysis
The short sentence "Then silence" creates a dramatic pause after the chaos. This makes the reader stop and hold their breath, feeling the shock of the moment.
💡 The Magic Words for Analysis
- "This makes the reader feel..."
- "This shows that..."
- "This creates a sense of..."
- "The effect of this is..."
- "This emphasises..."
Approaching Question 4 (12 marks)
These questions ask you to analyse how writers use language AND structure to achieve effects. You'll have the text with you, so you don't need to memorise quotations—you can find them as you write.
⏱️ Time Management
Spend about 15-20 minutes on this question
• 2-3 minutes: Read the question carefully and plan your answer
• 12-15 minutes: Write 3-4 developed P.E.E. paragraphs
• 2 minutes: Check your answer covers both language AND structure
Example Question Format
Typical Question Wording:
"How does the writer use language and structure to [create tension / convey fear / present ideas about...]?"
You should write about:
• the words and phrases used
• the techniques used
• how the description is structured
• how all of this makes the reader feel
What the Question is Really Asking
Language: word choices, imagery, techniques (metaphors, similes, verbs, adjectives, etc.)
Structure: sentence length, pace, paragraph breaks, shifts in tone/focus, use of time
Effect: What does this make the reader think, feel, or understand?
Important: You MUST cover BOTH language and structure to get full marks!
How to Plan Your Answer
💡 Bullet Point Planning (2-3 minutes)
- Read the question and underline the key focus (e.g. "excitement and danger")
- Quickly scan the text and identify 3-4 key moments or techniques
- Note which are about LANGUAGE and which are about STRUCTURE
- Make sure you have a balance of both language and structure points
- Think: What effect does each technique have on the reader?
Sample Bullet Point Plan for 'Between a Rock and a Hard Place':
Question: How does Ralston use language and structure to create tension?
1. Language - Present tense
• "the rock smashes" — immediate, happening now
• Effect: reader feels panic in real-time
2. Language - Time slowing down
• "Time dilates" — scientific vocabulary
• Effect: captures shock and disorientation
3. Structure - Short sentence
• "Then silence." after the accident
• Effect: dramatic pause, reader holds breath
4. Structure - Shift in pace
• From technical description → sudden panic
• Effect: mirrors his loss of control
Click to see a sample plan for 'The Danger of a Single Story'
Question: How does Adichie use language and structure to present her ideas about representation?
1. Language - Personal pronouns
• "people like me" — inclusive, relatable
• Effect: creates connection with audience
2. Language - Repetition
• "stories" repeated throughout
• Effect: emphasises central message
3. Structure - Personal anecdotes
• Childhood → university → Mexico
• Effect: shows pattern, makes abstract concrete
4. Structure - Build to conclusion
• Examples → analysis → "paradise"
• Effect: persuasive, leaves reader hopeful
Answer Structure: P.E.E. or P.E.E.L.
P = Point
Make a clear point about a technique or effect the writer creates
E = Evidence
Quote specific words or phrases from the text (keep quotations short and relevant)
E = Explain
Explain HOW the technique/words create the effect. Analyse specific word choices and their connotations
L = Link
(Optional) Link to the reader's response or the overall effect of the text
Example P.E.E. Paragraph: 'Between a Rock and a Hard Place' (LANGUAGE)
[Point] Ralston uses the present tense throughout the extract to create immediacy and tension. [Evidence] For example, when he writes "the rock smashes my left hand against the south wall," [Explain] the present tense makes us experience the accident as if it's happening right now, rather than something in the past. This creates a visceral, shocking effect as we live through the trauma with him. [Link] This forces the reader to feel his panic and pain more intensely, making the extract more disturbing and memorable.
Example P.E.E. Paragraph: 'Between a Rock and a Hard Place' (STRUCTURE)
[Point] Ralston uses a dramatic shift in sentence structure to mirror his sudden loss of control. [Evidence] After detailed, technical descriptions of "stemming" and "chimneying," the moment of the accident is captured in the abrupt sentence: "Then silence." [Explain] This two-word sentence creates a dramatic pause after the chaos of the falling boulder. The brevity contrasts sharply with the longer, more complex sentences before it, making the reader stop and hold their breath. [Link] This structural choice emphasises the shock of the moment and the sudden stillness after the violence, intensifying the horror of his realisation that he's trapped.
Click to see examples for 'The Danger of a Single Story'
Example P.E.E. Paragraph (LANGUAGE):
[Point] Adichie uses repetition to emphasise her central message about stereotypes. [Evidence] She repeats the phrase "single story" throughout the extract, and states: "show a people as one thing, as only one thing, over and over again, and that is what they become." [Explain] The repetition of "one thing" and "over and over again" mimics the relentless nature of stereotyping—it's the constant repetition that makes these limited views become entrenched. The simple, direct language makes the message clear and memorable. [Link] This makes the audience reflect on how repeated exposure to limited representations shapes their own perceptions of people and places.
Example P.E.E. Paragraph (STRUCTURE):
[Point] Adichie structures her speech using personal anecdotes to make her abstract argument concrete and relatable. [Evidence] She moves from her childhood experience reading British books, to her university roommate's assumptions, to her own prejudices about Mexicans. [Explain] This structural pattern shows that "single stories" affect everyone—both those who are stereotyped and those who hold stereotypes. By placing her own admission of prejudice after criticising others' stereotypes of her, she builds credibility and shows self-awareness. The progression from victim to perpetrator makes the problem feel universal rather than just about others. [Link] This structure encourages the audience to examine their own assumptions rather than just sympathising with her experiences.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't: Only write about language—you MUST also write about structure
Don't: Just identify techniques without explaining their effect
Don't: Use very long quotations—keep them short and relevant
Don't: Retell what happens in the text—focus on HOW the writer presents it
Don't: Forget to link techniques to the question's focus
Don't: List lots of techniques without developing your analysis
💡 Top Tips for 12-Markers
- Make sure you write about BOTH language AND structure—aim for at least 2 points on each
- Aim for 3-4 well-developed P.E.E. paragraphs rather than lots of rushed points
- Use subject terminology (metaphor, simile, short sentences, shift in tone, etc.) accurately
- You have the text with you—you can find quotations as you write, no need to memorise
- Focus on short phrases (2-6 words) in your evidence, not whole sentences
- Always explain WHY the writer made that choice and WHAT effect it has on the reader
- Keep referring back to the question throughout your answer
Useful Sentence Starters
Making a Point (Language)
"The writer uses [technique]...
"[Writer] employs...
"The writer creates [effect] through..."
Making a Point (Structure)
"The writer structures the text by...
"There is a shift from... to...
"The [short sentences/pace] creates..."
Introducing Evidence
"For example, when...
"This is evident in the phrase...
"We see this when..."
Explaining Effect
"This suggests that...
"The word '...' implies...
"This creates a sense of..."
Linking to Reader
"This makes the reader feel...
"The audience is positioned to...
"This encourages us to..."
Structure Terminology
"Short sentences"
"Shift in tone/pace/focus"
"Paragraph breaks"
"Build-up/climax"
Structure Features to Look For
Sentence length: Short sentences = tension, drama, pause. Long sentences = detailed description, building atmosphere
Shifts: Change in tone, pace, or focus (e.g. calm → chaos, past → present)
Paragraph breaks: Create pauses, separate ideas, or mark time passing
Ordering: Chronological? Flashbacks? Build-up to climax?
Repetition of structure: Patterns in how ideas are presented
✏️ Your Turn: Practice Paragraph
- Choose ONE quotation you've annotated (for a language point)
- Write one P.E.E. paragraph analysing the language
- Then identify ONE structural feature (e.g. short sentence, shift in tone, pace)
- Write a second P.E.E. paragraph analysing the structure
- Use the structure and sentence starters above to help you
- Write this in your anthology or on a separate piece of paper
✅ Self-Check: Does Your Answer...
✓ Cover BOTH language AND structure?
✓ Use short, relevant quotations (not whole sentences)?
✓ Explain the EFFECT of techniques on the reader?
✓ Link back to the question focus?
✓ Use subject terminology correctly?