Short lessons, straight answers

How to analyse a text-response prompt

Break a prompt into its command word, key terms and implied debate.

How-to

How to write a contention that holds

Take a position, keep it, and still acknowledge complexity.

How-to

How to embed a quotation

Weave evidence into your sentence instead of dropping it in.

How-to

How to structure a language analysis introduction

Form, source, contention, audience and tone in three sentences.

How-to

The difference between tone and mood

Whose feeling is it — the writer's or the reader's?

Difference between

The difference between theme and message

What the text is about vs what it argues.

Difference between

The difference between analysis and summary

Explaining how meaning is made vs retelling what happened.

Difference between

Better vs worse: topic sentences

Five weak openers rewritten into arguable claims.

Better vs worse

Better vs worse: analysing persuasive technique

From "the writer uses emotive language" to real analysis.

Better vs worse

Verb list: replacing "shows" and "uses"

Precise verbs for what a writer actually does to the reader.

Word lists

Adjective list: describing tone

A calibrated list from "measured" to "scathing".

Word lists

Connective phrases for building an argument

Signposts that show logic, not just sequence.

Word lists

The three sentence shapes every essay needs

Simple, complex and the well-placed short sentence.

Sentence structures

Using subordinate clauses to pack in analysis

Say more per sentence without losing the reader.

Sentence structures

Cheat sheet: the language analysis exam

One page: reading time plan, structure, timing, checklist.

Cheat sheets

Cheat sheet: essay editing pass

Ten things to check in the last five minutes.

Cheat sheets