Writing Successful Analysis
Whatisanalysis?
Analysis is when you explain how the writer has used a device to create an effect. You have to explain what effect the author is trying to create. You must consider the effect on the audience and what the author is trying to suggest about society at the time.
Howdo Iquote?
A quote is a piece of writing extracted from the text. You must use quote marks. An open quotation mark is placed prior to your quote ‘, whilst a closing quotation mark is used after the quote ‘.
Whatis PEE?
Point, Evidence, Explanation can be used to analyse. It is useful as a way of structuring the paragraph.
Point - this is the idea that you are trying to suggest. It is your own idea. It usually answers the question.
__Evidence __- this is the quote that you are using to support your Point. You should aim to integrate the quote with the point.
__Explanation __- these are the reasons why you think the quote suggests the point. You should aim for at least three comments.
Example:
Within the poem ‘Still I Rise’, Angelou implies that freedom is a human right that is natural (Point), through ‘like moons and like suns’ (Evidence). Angelou is discussing the natural order of the world. It seems as though she is suggesting that it is instinct to desire freedom and it is human nature to recover from feeling low and suppressed__ (Explanation)__.
Whatisa PETERparagraph?
_A ‘Peter’ paragraph is similar to a PEE paragraph but it is much more specialised to language and structural devices. _
Point - this is the idea that you are trying to suggest. It is your own idea. It usually answers the question.
Evidence - this is the quote that you are using to support your Point. You should aim to integrate the quote with the point.
__Technique __- the language/structural technique used. This should be named.
__Explanation __- these are the reasons why you think the quote suggests the point. You should aim for at least three comments.
Reader - this is the effect that is being created on the reader.
NB. A ‘Peter’ paragraph does not need to occur in a set order.
Example:
Maya Angelou demonstrates her feeling of freedom (Point), within the metaphor (technique) ‘I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide’ (Evidence). She is suggesting that she is so full of life that her positive spirit is never-ending; she cannot be contained, in a similar way to the ocean being free (Explanation). This creates a sense of empowerment for the reader and a feeling of hope (Reader).
how do I compare?
The best method of comparing is to place two PETER paragraphs together with a comparison/contrasting connective.
Comparison is when you draw parallels between one text and another. These might be similarities and they might be differences. It is up to you to determine which you are drawing.
Connectives are required for comparison and contrasting:
| Comparing Connectives (similarities) | Contrasting Connectives (differences) |
| Similar to | whereas |
| Similarly | unlike |
| Both | Differently |
| As well | Different to |
| In the same way | On the other hand |
| Also | In comparison, |
These connectives must be used. You cannot use the word ‘but’ and ‘and’.
Example:
Chopin presents Louise’s freedom (Point) through using the trees almost as a metaphor: ‘tops of trees that were all aquiver with the new spring life’ (Technique and Evidence). The trees almost seem to reflect her inner self. She feels that she is now in the ‘spring’ of life and it is time for her to grow and blossom (Explanation). As a reader, I feel inspired by her newly found confidence (Reader).
Maya Angelou ALSO demonstrates her feeling of freedom (Point), within the metaphor (technique) ‘I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide’ (Evidence). She is suggesting that she is so full of life that her positive spirit is never-ending; she cannot be contained, in a similar way to the ocean being free (Explanation). This creates a sense of empowerment for the reader and a feeling of hope (Reader).
- What does PEE stand for?
- What is a PETER paragraph?
- How do you compare?