Meet Your Expert: Shabnam, QCE English Specialist
Hi there! I’m Shabnam, a medical student, tutor, and writer with a deep passion for literature, history, and storytelling. As a final-year medical student and student researcher at the University of Notre Dame, I bring a unique analytical approach to studying texts. My love for writing has led me to publish a science fiction novel, magazine articles, poetry, and children’s books. I’m excited to help you unlock the deeper layers of literary analysis and write with clarity and confidence in QCE English!
How to Analyse Texts Like a Top-Scoring Student (QCE English)
Analysing texts for QCE English can feel like deciphering an ancient language—one filled with metaphors, extended symbolism, and just enough ambiguity to make your head spin. But fear not! With the right techniques, you can turn textual analysis into one of your greatest strengths.
1. Understand the Big Picture First
Before diving into detailed analysis, step back and look at the text as a whole. Ask yourself:
- What is the central message or theme?
- How does the writer position the audience?
- What emotions does the text evoke?
- Who benefits from this representation?
Starting with these big-picture questions helps you frame your analysis with clarity and direction.
Today, we’ll dive into one of the most iconic and thought-provoking novels of all time - George Orwell’s 1984. This timeless classic offers endless material for analysis, making it the perfect text to explore together. 1984 explores themes of totalitarianism, surveillance, and individuality. Orwell positions the audience to feel alarmed by unchecked political power, evoking a sense of paranoia and urgency.
2. Don’t Just Identify Techniques—Explain Their Impact
Too many students fall into the trap of technique-spotting without fully unpacking their effect. Instead of just writing, “The author uses alliteration,” push yourself further:
- Why has the writer used alliteration?
- What effect does it create on the reader?
- How does it tie into the overall argument?
Your teacher doesn’t want a shopping list of literary devices—they want to see how these techniques contribute to meaning.
💡 Example: Instead of writing, “Orwell uses imagery,” push further:
"Orwell’s use of bleak imagery, such as ‘a boot stamping on a human face—forever,’ underscores the brutality of totalitarian regimes, leaving readers with a sense of hopelessness.”
3. Master the Art of Embedding Quotes
Strong analysis doesn’t dump big slabs of text into your response. Instead, weave short, sharp quotes into your sentences:
❌ Weak: Orwell uses irony when he writes, “War is Peace.”
✅ Stronger: The ironic slogan “War is Peace” exemplifies the Party’s manipulation of language, highlighting the distortion of truth.
❌ Weak: The author uses imagery when they say, “the sky was a canvas of fire.”
✅ Stronger: The striking imagery of “a canvas of fire” paints a vivid, almost apocalyptic scene, reinforcing the chaos of the moment.
Seamless quote integration makes your writing sound sophisticated and polished.
4. Consider the Context
Texts aren’t created in a vacuum. Understanding the historical, social, or cultural background enriches your analysis. Ask yourself:
- What was happening at the time this was written?
- How might different audiences interpret it?
- How does the author’s background influence their perspective?
This level of depth will set your responses apart from generic, surface-level interpretations.
💡 Example: Orwell wrote 1984 post-World War II, influenced by totalitarian regimes like Nazi Germany and Stalin’s Soviet Union. This context heightens the novel’s warnings about oppressive governments.
5. Make Connections Between Themes and Techniques
The best students don’t analyse techniques in isolation—they connect them to the broader themes. If a text explores power and corruption, examine how irony or juxtaposition reinforces this idea. Always link back to the overall purpose of the text.
💡 Example: Orwell’s use of paradoxes (“Freedom is Slavery”) reinforces the theme of control, illustrating how the Party twists logic to maintain power.
6. Use Sophisticated Language (But Don’t Overcomplicate It)
Aim for clear, precise expression. You don’t need to sound like a thesaurus exploded on your page. Instead, focus on:
- Precise verbs (e.g., “manipulates” instead of “uses”)
- Analytical sentence starters (e.g., “This suggests that…”, “By doing this, the author…”)
- A balance between technical and natural writing
💡 Example: Instead of “Orwell uses repetition,” say:
"Orwell’s repetition of ‘Big Brother is watching you’ instils a sense of constant surveillance.”
7. Practise Under Timed Conditions
There’s no point crafting the perfect analysis if you can’t do it in exam conditions. Simulate the pressure by setting a timer and practising responses within the time constraints. The more you do this, the more natural it will feel in the real exam.
Final Thought
Analysing texts like a top-scoring student isn’t about throwing fancy words at the page—it’s about unpacking meaning, making connections, and writing with clarity. With these strategies, you’ll turn analysis into second nature (and maybe even enjoy it!).
Need extra guidance? If you found these tips helpful, I’d personally love to support you as your tutor this year. You can view my profile on Learnmate and contact me to discuss tutoring options. Alternatively, Learnmate’s tutors can help you refine your oral presentation skills, boost your confidence, and prepare for your QCE English assessments. You can connect with other QCE English tutors on Learnmate here.
Further References
- QCAA English Resources
- Literary Techniques Guide – LitCharts
- StudyClix QCE English Templates
