Analysing language

One word can change everything

“The wind blew through the trees.” Now try: “The wind clawed through the trees.”

Swapping one verb turns a calm sentence into something threatening. Language analysis questions ask you to notice choices like this and explain exactly what they do to the reader.

See the method

Strong answers move from the quotation to its effect, then zoom in on a single word.

Word-level precision

Quote briefly — a few words, not a whole sentence.

Name the method only if it helps: verb, adjective, simile, metaphor, personification, sibilance, short sentence.

The effect is where marks come from. Ask: what does this make the reader imagine, feel or think? What are the connotations of the key word?

Example answer: “The writer personifies the wind as having ‘clawed’ through the trees. The verb ‘clawed’ has connotations of a wild animal attacking, suggesting the storm is violent and predatory, which creates a sense of danger for the reader.”

Connotation

An idea or feeling a word suggests beyond its literal meaning.

Personification

Giving human or animal qualities to something non-human.

Effect

What a choice makes the reader think, feel or picture.

Have a go

Read this extract: “The house crouched at the end of the lane, its windows dark and hollow. Somewhere inside, a door groaned.”

1. 1Pick three short quotations that create a sinister mood.
2. 2For each, name the method if you can.
3. 3Write down two connotations of the key word in each quotation.
4. 4Write one full paragraph analysing “crouched”, zooming in on its connotations.

Quick quiz

Pick the most precise answer.

Think about it

The best analysis sounds like you are thinking, not listing.

Look back at a paragraph you have written. Where could you replace “this shows” with a more precise verb such as “suggests”, “implies” or “evokes”?