Structural features

Question 1

openings

Answer 1

The start of a text must interest the reader.
Comment on how the writer introduces ideas and raises questions.

Question 2

focus

Answer 2

This is what the writer focuses on as the text develops.
Analyse what is implied, eg a gloomy landscape implies an unhappy situation - what is causing that unhappiness? What will happen next?

Question 3

shifts

Answer 3

Changes in ideas and perspectives, eg outside to inside.
Comment on how this change is effective, eg creates contrast.

Question 4

contrast

Answer 4

The differences between two things.
Comment on the effect a drastic difference produces.

Question 5

repetition or patterns

Answer 5

When words, phrases or ideas are repeated for effect.
Repetitive features can highlight key meanings, indicate a development or show a lack of change.

Question 6

pace

Answer 6

The feeling of speed in the writing – are events and ideas revealed to the reader slowly or quickly?
Ask what effect is created by altering the pace, eg a slow pace builds tension or suggests boredom, a quicker pace may suit a piece about things happening at speed.

Question 7

temporal references

Answer 7

References to time.
Comment on how time is used to speed up or slow down the pace of the text.

Question 8

order of events

Answer 8

This could be chronological or writers might choose to start at the end, in the middle, or with flashbacks / flash forwards.
Comment on how the order of events introduces and prioritises key ideas – and how this engages the reader.

Question 9

endings

Answer 9

The conclusion of a text may be neat or leave us with questions. Think about how the reader feels at the end. Have their feelings changed since the opening?

Question 10

withholding information

Answer 10

Clues and hints are given without revealing everything at once. Analyse what is implied by hints – how does this build the reader’s expectations?

Question 11

dialogue

Answer 11

Conversations and speech.
How does dialogue move the text forward?

Question 12

headings, subheadings and questions

Answer 12

Divides the content of texts into topics and sub topics, can signal the start of new points.
How do they guide readers through a text?

Question 13

bullets

Answer 13

Bullets can summarise and simplify a range of ideas.
Why does the writer summarise certain points?

Question 14

sentence structures

Answer 14

Varied types of sentences, eg simple, compound and complex. Comment on how sentence structures affect the fluency of the text, eg a sudden short sentence could reveal shocking information.

Question 15

paragraph lengths

Answer 15

These vary like sentences eg, to highlight significant points or to provide a detailed account.
Comment on how paragraph lengths affect the development of the text, eg a final paragraph might summarise key points in an argument.