ICEBERG PARAGRAPH

When analysing a text, you must explore layers of

meaning. To do this, you must dive deeper and
Write a clear topic sentence focusing on one aspect of the text.
explore beyond the surface. Follow the steps
below to add depth to your analysis and form an
The author/language in the text…
‘Iceberg Paragraph’!
argues depicts implies reflects

1 builds
connotes
contrasts
emphasises
evokes
exaggerates
indicates
juxtaposes
narrates
represents
reveals
signifies
conveys gives the persuades suggests
creates impression realises symbolises
demonstrates gives a sense recognises
describes highlights refers to Provide a key quotation/phrase from the text to
support your initial idea.

This is supported by ____

This idea is illustrated by ____

2
The character states ____

Now, focus on the quotation and deconstruct ideas to form your

first explanation.
SURFACE ANALYSIS Some evidence of this is ____

The word/phrase ____ implies ____

3 The imagery of ____ suggests ____

The use of ____ conveys ____

This highlights ____

The writer uses ____ to emphasise ____

Develop your explanation further by focusing on another

key word/interpretation from the quotation.

The word ____ also has connotations ____

4
Finally, build on your interpretation and make deeper comments Another interpretation is ____

on writer’s purpose/context.

In addition, the word ____

Furthermore, it could also ____

Perhaps the writer ____

5
Taking this further, the language ____

Maybe the writer is making a comment ____

This idea could be linked to ____

Contextually the writer might ____

These ideas are possibly ____

DEEP ANALYSIS