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Textual Analysis

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As part of your final grade, you have to pass a textual analysis NAB.

Textual analysis involves looking at a text (poem, extract from a story, extract from a play) and answering questions on how it was written

A writer chooses each word very carefully and uses tricks and skills to get their message across

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All textual analysis papers contain specific kinds of questions

If you learn how to answer each type of question, you should be able to receive maximum marks!

Question Types…

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Word choice

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These questions are about specific words chosen by the writer

You have to comment on the actual meaning of the word (denotation) and what the word suggests (connotation)

You MUST explain the effect of this word choice

Word choice questions

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Imagery

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To find out what image or picture the writer is trying to create in your head

You could be asked about simile, metaphor, personification and symbolism

For each of these, how have to comment on the EFFECTIVENESS of the technique and how it adds to your understanding

Imagery Questions

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A figure of speech in which one thing is compared to another using the words ‘like’ or ‘as.’

The similarity between the two things is compared to give us an image of what the writer is describing.

The burglar stalked the building like a cat

This gives us an image of how the burglar walked round the building

Simile

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A figure of speech in which one thing is compared to another by saying that one thing is the other

The similarity between the two things is compared to give us an image of what the writer is describing.

My little brother is a monkey.

Obviously the writer does not have a monkey for a brother; it gives us an image of how his brother acts

Metaphor

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When a inanimate, non-living object is given human traits

It can be thought of as a special kind of metaphor

The couch groaned under his vast weight.

A couch cannot groan, but this description gives us an image of the noise the couch made

Personification

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If you are asked about about the image created by a language technique, you could answer this way-

The metaphor ‘The world rolls under the long thrust of his heel’ suggests that the jaguar acts as if he is making the world go round with his footsteps.

How to answer

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Listing

Short sentences can be demonstrative of a climax or anti-climax.

Alliteration◦ repetition of a sound at the beginning of two or more

words in a sentence

Repetition◦ why is something repeated?

Other techniques

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Sentence Structure

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Overall when you read a passage you should try to identify:◦ linking words◦ development of an argument

To help you identify these you can look at:◦ first words in paragraphs◦ topic sentences to establish and trace argument◦ links between paragraphs

Sentence structure

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When asked to look specifically at ‘Sentence Structure’ you will need to analyse:

 ◦ punctuation◦ length◦ climax/anti-climax◦ repetition◦ word order/syntax

(These are the same things you would look at in the structure of a poem)

Sentence Structure Questions

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Full stops (.) = point finished

exclamation mark (!) = tone

colon (:)= explanation or to introduce a list

semi-colon (;) = balancing two points or divide phrases in a list

brackets/commas/dashes (,-) = parenthesis

inverted commas (“ ”) = doubt on what is being said, or to identify titles.

Just a reminder…

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Tone

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Tone = voice Obtain an overview of the whole passage before picking out

detail.

Look at key words in introduction to the passage and to each paragraph/section.

In order to gain full marks in a tone question you must: identify the tone, give evidence, explain how appropriate this tone is or how it helped you understand the overall message in the passage.

Types of tone you may be asked about include: sarcasm, nostalgia, humour, serious, fearful, ironic, tongue-in-cheek, doom-laden, anger.

Tone Questions

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Mood Mood is similar to tone but you need to

identify the emotion that lies behind what is being said and what is creating the tone.

 Atmosphere As above but looking for involvement of the

senses. For example: ‘stench’ – decay, neglect, unpleasantness.

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Rhetorical questions

Forces the reader to react to a question.

A question is asked by the writer but an answer is not expected

You are meant to agree with the writer’s overall point.

Questions

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Non-rhetorical questions Provokes an answer, involves the reader.

Engages the reader in a ‘conversation’.

Establishes a relationship.

Sets up a topic.

Questions

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Every time you make a point about a text, you must

1) back it up with evidence (i.e. quote) and

2) comment on how well the techniques are used in relation to the focus of the question (i.e. evaluate)

Just a reminder…

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If you are asked to quote an expression, this means a word or phrase (i.e. no more than 3 or 4 words)

If you are asked to explain why something is an appropriate word choice, you must look at the connotations (what is suggested by the word) or the sound created by the word