Analyzing an extract

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PEAZR

A method of analyzing a text, by making a point, giving evidence, analyzing and explaining, (optional) zooming on important or key words and stating the effect on the reader. The point should always come first, but the order can vary. IE, PAEZR

Various other variations exist, IE, PEI, where "I" is an inference.

Point - Make a point.

Evidence - Provide evidence to support your point. May come in the form of a quote, small embedded "mini-quotes" or stage directions.

Analyse - Analyse the evidence and explain how it supports your point. Always link back to the point.

Zoom* - (Zooms are not always appropriate or required.) "Zoom in" on a word in order to show how it supports your point.

Reader - Describe the effect this has on the reader. Maybe it would influence their opinion of characters or maybe allow readers to relate.

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Language Techniques

Similies & Metaphors, create comparisons between objects by comparing traits they have (Like or Is).

Rhetoric, questions so simple an answer need not be given. It allows the author to get the reader thinking about questions, characters or events.

Personification, compares objects or concepts to animals by giving them animal like traits.

Alliteration, the repetition of sounds or syllables, for example Peter Piper Picked a Peck of Pickled Peppers. Consonance is the repetition of consonants (everything that's not AEIOU) while Assonance is the repetition of vowels (AEIOU).

Repetition, repetition of a phrase or sentence. It may be to reinforce ideas.

Rule of 3, which groups important ideas or concepts together.

Syllables (harsh or soft sounds), plosives (where air is blown out, IE P, B) might reflect war.

Structure Techniques

There aren't many techniques to analyse with structure. Structure is more about the WHERE and WHY than the WHAT, usually.

An example is how, at the start of Mazerunner, Thomas is calm when the lift is moving but panic sets in again as it halts, creating an interesting dynamic, making the reader ask why the concept of "movement" is so important.

Cyclical Structure, where the bookends of an extract reflect eachother in some way.

Time Shifts, like flashbacks or flashforwards.

Focus Shifts, how focus moves in an extract. This may reflect you moving in the setting.

Extended Metaphors, where a metaphor is continued throughout an extract.

Structure of Paragraphs, or Sentences