How to analyse a fiction extract

In an analytical response, you should show how language and structure create meaning. You could also explore the effect on the reader. An analytical response uses evidence from the text to make clear points.

Whatever the focus of the task, aim to focus on HOW the writer has used specific techniques or choices to create meaning, rather than WHAT the text is saying or WHO it is about.

The key to giving a relevant response is to focus on the question. What are you being asked to do? Circle the key words in the question and remember your focus as you start reading the extract.

An exam question might focus on:

• characters

• narrative voice

• themes and ideas

• language

• structure

• the effect on the reader

The next stage is to annotate your extract and find evidence to support your answer. Highlight, circle or underline key parts of the text that you will be able to use as evidence for your response.

When looking at an extract, try and read it more than once. First read the entire extract from beginning to end and annotate any language or structural details that interest you. If you have time, do another read-through annotating other important words and phrases.

Credit: BBC Bitesize

How to effectively annotate

• Why annotate?

• Isolate and organize important material

• Identify key concepts

• Monitor your learning as you read

• Make exam prep effective and streamlined

• Can be more efficient than creating a separate set of reading notes

How do you annotate?

• Summarize key points in your own words.

  • Use headers and words in bold to guide you

  • Look for main ideas, arguments, and points of evidence

  • Notice how the text organizes itself. Chronological order? Idea trees? Etc.

• Circle key concepts and phrases

  • What words would it be helpful to look-up at the end?

  • What terms show up in lecture? When are different words used for similar concepts? Why?

• Write brief comments and questions in the margins

  • Be as specific or broad as you would like—use these questions to activate your thinking about the content

  • See our handout on reading comprehension tips for some examples

• Use abbreviations and symbols

  • Try ? when you have a question or something you need to explore further

  • Try ! When something is interesting, a connection, or otherwise worthy of note

  • Try * For anything that you might use as an example or evidence when you use this information.

  • Ask yourself what other system of symbols would make sense to you.

• Highlight/underline

  • Highlight or underline, but mindfully. Check out our resource on strategic highlighting for tips on when and how to highlight.

• Use comment and highlight features built into pdfs, online/digital textbooks, or other apps and browser add-ons

  • Are you using a pdf? Explore its highlight, edit, and comment functions to support your annotations

  • Some browsers have add-ons or extensions that allow you to annotate web pages or web-based documents

  • Does your digital or online textbook come with an annotation feature?

  • Can your digital text be imported into a note-taking tool like OneNote, EverNote, or Google Keep? If so, you might be able to annotate texts in those apps

• What are the most important takeaways?

  • Annotation is about increasing your engagement with a text

  • Increased engagement, where you think about and process the material then expand on your learning, is how you achieve mastery in a subject

  • As you annotate a text, ask yourself: how would I explain this to a friend?

  • Put things in your own words and draw connections to what you know and wonder

Credit: Learning Center
https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/annotating-texts/