You're A Writer Too.
- You're not just analyzing a writer, you are one.
- Just like authors layer techniques to shape meaning, you must structure your analysis to guide your reader.
- Every sentence should have purpose.
- Every paragraph should build meaning.
Hint
Examiners look for:
- Transitions that connect ideas
- Thematic links that stay focused
- Logical ordering that builds a clear argument
Transitions Are Bridges Between Ideas
Definition
Transitions
Words or phrases that guide the reader from one idea to the next.
- They can be used to:
- Add a point: "Moreover, the use of imagery reinforces the theme of isolation."
- Contrast ideas: "In contrast, the second stanza introduces a sense of hope."
- Show cause and effect : "As a result, the reader is left with a sense of unease."
Common Transitions
| Function | Example |
|---|---|
| Add a point | Moreover, In addition, Also |
| Contrast | However, In contrast, On the other hand |
| Cause and effect | Therefore, As a result, This leads to... |
| Build / develop | Building on this, This is reinforced by... |
| Conclude / reflect | Ultimately, This suggests, This reinforces... |
| Without Transition | With Transition |
|---|---|
| “The poet uses repetition to create a tense mood. The shift to second-person address intensifies reader involvement.” | “Building on the tense mood created by the repetition, the shift to second-person address then intensifies reader involvement.” |
Example
Building on the tense mood created by the echo, the shift to second-person address intensifies the reader’s emotional involvement.”
- One idea flows naturally into the next.
- Feels like a real argument, not a bullet-point list.
Thematic Links Tie Back to the Central Argument
- Thematic links remind your reader your analysis serves a purpose.
- Every point you make should connect back to a central idea, theme, or thesis.
Hint
To create a thematic link, always ask yourself: "How does this point support my thesis?"
Example
“This use of second-person address not only intensifies reader involvement but also reinforces the poem’s exploration of identity and alienation.”
- The sentence doesn’t just describe the technique, it links it back to meaning.
- Notice how this is done with the sentence structure: "not only...but..."
Exam technique
- Thematic link template: “[This technique] not only [surface effect] but also [deeper thematic idea].”
- Example: “The harsh imagery not only shocks the reader but also highlights the speaker’s internalised guilt.”
Purposeful Ordering Builds Your Argument
- Imagine walking into a house where the roof is on the floor, the door is in the ceiling, and the stairs lead nowhere.
- You might have great observations but if they don’t build on each other, your argument collapses.
Example
Weak structure
“The poet uses enjambment to create a breathless pace. The alliteration in stanza two creates a sense of softness. In line three, the speaker’s tone is angry.”
- There’s no logic, no flow, no momentum.
- The examiner has to work hard to figure out why these points matter together.
Strong structure
“The poet’s use of enjambment creates a breathless, urgent pace, mirroring the speaker’s emotional spiral. This rising tension is then softened by the alliteration in stanza two, where the repeated ‘s’ sounds offer a brief moment of calm. But this calm is short-lived: by line three, the speaker’s angry tone erupts again, pulling the reader back into their emotional chaos.”
- The points aren’t just correct, they’re connected.
- Each sentence builds on the last.
This is what examiner comments mean when they say:
“Shows a sustained and developed line of argument.”
Exam technique
Use this rule of thumb: How can I make it as easy as possible for the examiner to understand me?
Strategies for Strong Ordering
- Chronological: Follow the text’s sequence.
- Cause and effect: Show how one technique leads to another.
- General to specific: Start broad, then zoom in.
- Shallow to deep: Start with surface techniques, then dig into layered meaning.
Note
- Avoid jumping between unrelated points.
- This can confuse the reader and weaken your argument.
Hint
If your analysis flows, your argument will too and the examiner will follow every step.
