���˿���

Always spend a few minutes considering the question and then quickly annotating the extract to highlight useful evidence – ready to use in your answer.

Annotating language

Don't highlight all the language features you spot – you’ll end up highlighting the whole text. Pick out examples of striking word choices or literary devices. They might be interesting because they’re unusual, or because they’re doing a particularly good job of creating an effect linked to purpose or audience.

Do pick out individual words which you can explore closely – ones with particular connotations, for example, or ones which seem especially significant. These are usually adjectives, or phrases that have used particular techniques to conjure up a specific image.

Think about how each word or phrase will support your answer.

Annotating structure

Look at the overall text to begin your annotation. Can you spot patterns in the structure? How has the writer chosen to organise the text? How do they order ideas and information?

Look out for:

• effective openings
• headings and subheadings
• focus and focus shifts
• contrast and pace
• time and place
• repetition and patterns
• paragraph and sentence lengths
• effective conclusions

Highlight or label structural features of a text – it is useful to look at the opening, middle and ending. Briefly note the effect of that feature on the reader – what is the writer prioritising or emphasising through their use of structure?