Analysis of Texts

A guideline to use when tackling questions which require you to critically analyse a text.

Apply the GASP formula to the passage.( This could form the introductory paragraph
of your commentary.)
GENRE: What type of writing is it? (diary, tabloid etc.)
Each genre has its own conventions and characteristics. Taking time to determine the
genre will help you know what you can expect to find
AUDIENCE: Who is the text aimed at?
The language in the text will reflect the intended audience. (Knowing who the
audience is, is particularly important for texts of speeches or advertisements.)
SUBJECT: What is the passage about?
This can involve the meaning and obvious content but also ideas, attitudes and
opinions. Each language feature should later be identified in relation to the meaning it
is reflecting.
PURPOSE: What is the writer’s intention?
Try to be precise about the specific purpose of the text. If the purpose is to persuade,
what exactly is it trying to persuade the reader to think or do?

Once you have established these you will be ready to tackle the detail of the text and its style and
language features, as you will be able to link your observations into an overall argument.

10 Questions to ask which will help you establish how the writer achieves his purpose.
Learn these by creating your own mnemonic using each letter of the key word in each
question.
D C R A I H B C S R

1. Diction: What do particular words do for the passage? Study the choice of words,
identifying striking nouns, verbs, adjectives.
2. Connotation: What are the associated ideas that the striking words carry?
3. Register: consider the appropriateness of and formality of language used. Is the
language generally suited to the purpose?
4. Atmosphere: How does the writer create mood and atmosphere? Look for contrasts,
symbols, irony.
5. Imagery: Is figurative language used or absent? Is the imagery used fresh and striking
or clichéd? Are the images sustained or linked or does the writer skip from one image to
another.
6. Humour: Does the piece have any humour ? How achieved?
7. Bias: consider the balance of fact and opinion. Is the passage subjective or objective? Is
the bias subtle or direct?
8. Construction of sentences: Is there a variety of sentence types and sentence lengths?
Are the complex sentences loose or periodic? What is the effect?
9. Structure of the passage: look at paragraph length. Any interesting variations? How
striking is the opening or conclusion? How does the writer construct the plot? Can you
see from the structure where the focus or mood changes? Is the argument/ story logical/
chronological? Where is the climax?
10. Response: give a personal response to the passage. (NOT ‘I like/do not like this
passage’) What are the merits of the passage? Is it successful i.e. does it achieve its
purpose?