Analysis of Unseen Texts
Understanding the Unseen Text
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Reading Comprehension: Ensure a clear and precise grasp of the unseen text. Timing is crucial, so spend a dedicated period understanding the text before launching into your analysis.
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Unseen Text Type: Identify the type of text you're analysing (novel extract, poetry, script, and so on). This is the first step in setting the context for your analysis.
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Context: Every text is situated within a particular context. Try to infer information about when and where it was written, or its potential historical, cultural or social relevance.
Structural Techniques
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Plot and Structure: Look out for the development of the narrative or argument. Track the use of flashbacks or forwards, circular narrative, and so on.
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Pace: Notice how the writer controls the pace of the narrative - deliberate slowing down, sudden bursts of action, varying sentence lengths might all be used here.
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Paragraphing and Stanzas: Look at how paragraphs or verses are used to organise ideas, themes or action.
Language Techniques
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Figurative Language Usage: Identify metaphors, similes, personification and allusions, and consider their effect on the overall meaning of the text.
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Diction: Consider the connotations of words chosen by the writer.
Character and Theme Development
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Characters: Pay attention to how the characters are introduced, developed and portrayed through their actions, dialogue, and the writer's description.
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Themes: Identify any themes in the text and how they contribute to the overall message or purpose.
Articulating Your Analysis
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Present your Thoughts Coherently: Introduce your main points, then explain, illustrate, and evaluate each one in turn, ending with your conclusion.
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Use Evidence: Always support your points with evidence from the text. This will develop a strong, detailed and supported literary analysis.
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Evaluate Effect: For every technique you spot, think about why it has been used – what is its effect or purpose?
-e Vocabulary: Employ precise vocabulary and display a confident command of literary terminology in your response.
- Conciseness and Precision: Be concise but thorough in your analysis and interpretation. Do your best to get to the heart of the text's meaning without being overly verbose.