Literary & Text Analysis
Move from “what happens” to “how and why it works”. Use short quotations and precise commentary.
Key focus areas
- Theme and message: what the text is about beyond the plot
- Tone, mood and atmosphere
- Structure and narrative viewpoint
- Language choices: imagery, diction, sound devices, syntax
PEE / PEAL paragraph scaffold
Point: state your claim clearly. Evidence: include a short quotation (5–10 words) or a precise reference. Analysis: explain how the chosen word, image or structure creates effect — analyse, don’t paraphrase. Link: tie the idea back to the question or theme.
Close-reading worked example
Quote: “The moon was a ghostly galleon... ”
Analysis: The metaphor compares the moon to a ship. "Ghostly" suggests an eerie, unreal quality while "galleon" evokes an old sailing ship — together they create a moving, mysterious image that suggests both beauty and danger. The use of two contrasting nouns ("ghostly" / "galleon") deepens the mood and hints at forthcoming threat.
Link: This creates tension and foreshadows the unsettling events that follow, supporting the theme of unpredictability.
Techniques you can look for (with short examples)
- Imagery: vivid description that appeals to the senses — "crisp, autumn air".
- Diction: word choice that signals tone — "shriek" vs "call".
- Sound devices: alliteration, assonance, onomatopoeia — "bare branches hissed".
- Structure: short sentences can speed up pace; a sudden shift in paragraph focus can signal a change in tone.
Practice tasks
- Select a short extract (1 paragraph) and write a 120–180 word PEAL paragraph focusing on a single technique.
- Annotate the extract: highlight three words or phrases that show tone, and write one-line notes explaining each.
- Extension: compare two short extracts that show different tones (e.g., hopeful vs bleak) and write two short paragraphs explaining how language creates those tones.
Two model PEAL paragraphs (annotated)
Point: The narrator's loneliness is emphasised through imagery and short sentences.
Evidence: "He ate alone. The room felt too large."
Analysis: The short sentences slow the pace and create a feeling of emptiness; the image of a large room makes the character seem small and isolated, reinforcing the theme of loneliness.
Link: This use of form and image shows the author's intent to make the reader feel the character's isolation.
Point: The author builds sympathy for the protagonist by focusing on small details.
Evidence: "Her hands trembled as she held the letter."
Analysis: The physical detail of trembling hands reveals inner anxiety without naming it. The verb "trembled" carries emotional weight and invites readers to infer the character's feelings, creating empathy.
Link: Focusing on small, physical details keeps the analysis close to the text and strengthens the paragraph's claim.
Short model essay (approx. 320 words)
How writers create tension in a short extract
Writers often create tension by combining tight pacing, unsettling imagery and restricted perspective. In many extracts the pace is controlled through sentence length: short, clipped sentences speed the action while longer, descriptive sentences slow the reader and build atmosphere.
Imagery is another tool. Disturbing images — such as "shadows like hands" or "a sour taste in the mouth" — trigger an emotional response and prepare the reader for conflict. The choice of words (diction) matters: verbs that suggest threat ("loomed", "stalked") increase unease.
Finally, point of view and limited knowledge can create dramatic irony or uncertainty. If a narrator only knows part of the situation, the reader fills gaps with fear. A close third-person perspective can also restrict information so tension grows from what is not said.
Together, these techniques make readers feel unsettled. By analysing specific words and sentence shapes, you can show exactly how a writer achieves this effect.
Exam tips: integrating quotations and avoiding summary
- Keep quotations short (5–10 words) and embed them in your sentence.
- Always follow a quotation with analysis — do not let the quote stand alone.
- Focus on techniques not plot: explain how the language creates effect rather than retelling events.