Literary Analysis and Critical Writing
What you must understand
This domain is about how you write, not just what you know. Strong critical writing has a clear argument, organised paragraphs, precise terminology, integrated quotations, and accurate spelling, punctuation, and grammar. You should use connectives (however, therefore, furthermore), vary sentence structure, and maintain a formal, analytical register. Learn to write introductions that answer the question directly and conclusions that synthesise rather than repeat.
Traps to avoid
- Feature-listing without argument.
- Long quotations that are not analysed; embed short phrases instead.
- Informal language such as "a lot" or "really good".
- Repetition of the same point in different words.
- Ignoring the question's key words, which should recur in your answer.
Rule of thumb: PEEL
Use Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link. Each paragraph should advance the argument and connect back to the question. For example: The writer uses fragmented sentences (point) such as "Nothing. No one." (evidence) to convey the speaker's shock (explanation), reinforcing the poem's theme of loss (link).
Worked example
Weak: "The writer uses lots of techniques to make it sad." Strong: "The writer's use of fragmented syntax mirrors the speaker's fractured memory, so the reader experiences the grief rather than merely observing it." Note the precise verb, the embedded quotation, and the clear effect.