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Analysing Non-Fiction (AQA)
Key Areas of Non-Fiction Analysis
When analysing any non-fiction text, consider these key areas:
1. Purpose and Audience
Purpose: What is the writer trying to achieve? Non-fiction texts are written with specific aims. Common purposes include:
To Inform: To educate the reader about a topic, provide facts, and explain ideas. (e.g., news reports, articles, textbooks)
To Persuade: To convince the reader to adopt a particular viewpoint, belief, or course of action. (e.g., opinion pieces, advertisements, speeches)
To Advise: To offer guidance, suggestions, or recommendations. (e.g., self-help articles, advice columns, instructions)
To Describe: To create a vivid picture of a person, place, event, or experience. (e.g., travel writing, memoirs, biographies)
To Entertain: To engage and amuse the reader, often through humour, anecdotes, or engaging storytelling (though non-fiction entertainment is often secondary to another purpose).
To Argue: To present a reasoned case for or against a particular point of view. (e.g., essays, debates, reviews)
To Reflect: To share personal thoughts, feelings, and experiences, often with a focus on introspection or learning. (e.g., memoirs, personal essays, blogs)
Questions to ask about Purpose:
What is the main message the writer wants to convey?
What is the overall goal of the text?
Is there a clear intention behind the writing?
How do you know what the purpose is? (Look for clues in language, tone, structure)
Audience: Who is the text written for? Understanding the intended audience is crucial because writers tailor their language, tone, and content to suit their readers.
Consider:
Age, background, knowledge level, interests, beliefs, values, relationship with the writer.
Is the audience specific (e.g., readers of a specialist magazine) or general (e.g., general public)?
Is the audience likely to agree or disagree with the writer's viewpoint?
Questions to ask about Audience:
Who is the intended reader? How do you know? (Look for clues in language, content, publication venue)
How does the writer tailor the text to this audience? (Consider vocabulary, sentence structure, examples, tone)
What assumptions does the writer make about the audience?
How might different audiences react to this text?
2. Form, Structure, and Genre
Form: The overall type of text. Common non-fiction forms include:
Article: (Newspaper, magazine, online) - Often informative, persuasive, or argumentative.
Speech: (Transcript or written version) - Usually persuasive, often employing rhetorical devices.
Letter: (Formal or informal) - Can be persuasive, informative, personal, etc.
Blog Post: (Online, often informal) - Can be personal, informative, opinion-based.
Review: (Book, film, product, service) - Evaluative and argumentative.
Travel Writing: (Article, book extract) - Descriptive, often reflective, can be informative.
Autobiography/Biography/Memoir: (Book extract) - Narrative, reflective, descriptive.
Leaflet/Brochure: (Informative, persuasive - e.g., for campaigns, products)
Structure: How is the text organised? Structure is not random; it's carefully chosen to guide the reader and enhance the writer's purpose.
Consider:
Headings and Subheadings: How do they break down the information? What do they signal to the reader?
Paragraphing: How are ideas grouped? Are paragraphs short and punchy or long and detailed?
Opening and Closing: How does the text begin and end? What effect do these have?
Sequencing of Ideas: Is there a logical flow? Is it chronological, thematic, or argumentative?
Use of Bullet Points, Lists, Images, Diagrams: How do these visual elements contribute to the text's purpose?
Questions to ask about Structure:
How is the text structured? Is it linear, cyclical, episodic?
Why has the writer chosen this particular structure? What effect does it have?
How does the structure contribute to the text's overall message or purpose?
Are there any shifts in structure or focus within the text? Why?
Genre Conventions: Each genre has typical features and expectations. Understanding genre helps you analyse how the text conforms to or subverts these conventions.
Example Genre Conventions:
News Report: Objective tone, factual language, structured reporting of events, often uses quotes from sources.
Travel Writing: Descriptive language, sensory details, personal anecdotes, reflective tone.
Persuasive Speech: Rhetorical questions, repetition, emotive language, appeals to values and beliefs.
Questions to ask about Genre:
What genre is this text? How do you know?
Does the text follow genre conventions, or does it break them? Why?
How does the genre influence the writer's choices of language and structure?
What are the typical expectations of this genre, and how does the text meet or challenge them?
3. Language
Language is the writer's primary tool. Analysing language involves examining word choices, sentence structure, and literary devices to understand their effects.
Word Choice (Vocabulary/Diction): Specific words chosen for their connotations and impact.
Consider:
Formal vs. Informal Language: Does the language sound academic, conversational, slangy, etc.? Why?
Figurative Language: Metaphors, similes, personification, hyperbole, etc. What do they add?
Emotive Language: Words that evoke feelings (e.g., anger, sadness, joy). How is emotion created?
Technical Jargon: Specialised vocabulary related to a specific field. Who is included/excluded by its use?
Concrete vs. Abstract Language: Is the language grounded in specific details or more conceptual?
Positive/Negative Connotations: Do words carry positive or negative associations?
Questions to ask about Word Choice:
What kind of vocabulary does the writer use? Is it simple, complex, technical, emotive?
Are there any recurring words or phrases? What is their effect?
How does word choice contribute to the tone and purpose of the text?
Are there any striking or unusual word choices? Why are they effective?
Sentence Structure (Syntax): The way sentences are constructed.
Consider:
Sentence Length: Are sentences short and impactful, or long and complex? Why?
Sentence Types: Simple, compound, complex, declarative, interrogative, exclamatory, imperative. What variety is used and for what effect?
Sentence Openings: How do sentences begin? Are there patterns in sentence beginnings?
Punctuation: How is punctuation used to create rhythm, emphasis, or pauses? (e.g., commas, dashes, semicolons, colons, ellipses)
Parallelism: Repetition of grammatical structures for emphasis or rhythm.
Questions to ask about Sentence Structure:
What is the typical sentence length? How does this affect the pace and flow of the text?
Is there variety in sentence structure? Why might the writer use different sentence types?
How does sentence structure contribute to the overall tone and impact of the text?
Are there any noticeable patterns or deviations in sentence structure?
Literary/Rhetorical Devices: Techniques writers use to create specific effects. Common devices include:
Imagery: Descriptive language that appeals to the senses.
Anecdote: Short, personal story used to illustrate a point.
Rhetorical Questions: Questions asked for effect, not requiring an answer.
Repetition: Repeating words, phrases, or structures for emphasis.
Contrast/Juxtaposition: Placing opposite ideas or images side-by-side to highlight differences.
Irony: Saying one thing but meaning the opposite.
Humour: Use of wit, sarcasm, irony, or jokes.
Hyperbole/Understatement: Exaggeration or deliberate downplaying for effect.
Direct Address: Speaking directly to the reader ("you," "we").
Tripling/Rule of Three: Listing three related items for emphasis and memorability.
Questions to ask about Literary/Rhetorical Devices:
What devices does the writer use? Identify specific examples.
What effect do these devices have on the reader? How do they contribute to the purpose?
Are the devices used subtly or overtly? Why?
Are the devices effective in achieving the writer's purpose?
4. Tone and Style
Tone: The writer's attitude towards the subject matter and the audience. Tone is conveyed through word choice, sentence structure, and other language features.
Common Tones: Formal, informal, serious, humorous, sarcastic, ironic, angry, passionate, objective, subjective, critical, celebratory, reflective, urgent, calm, etc.
Questions to ask about Tone:
What is the overall tone of the text? Identify specific tone words.
How is the tone created? (Look at word choice, sentence structure, devices)
Is the tone consistent throughout the text, or does it shift? Why?
How does the tone affect the reader's response to the text?
Is the tone appropriate for the purpose and audience?
Style: The writer's distinctive way of writing. Style is a broader concept encompassing tone, language choices, sentence structure, and overall approach.
Consider:
Pace: Fast-paced and energetic, or slow and reflective?
Formality: Formal and academic, or informal and conversational?
Complexity: Dense and complex, or clear and straightforward?
Imagery: Highly visual and descriptive, or more focused on facts and ideas?
Personality: Does the writer's personality come through? Is it personal and subjective, or detached and objective?
Questions to ask about Style:
What is the writer's overall style like? Describe it in a few key words.
What are the defining characteristics of the writer's style?
How does the style contribute to the text's effectiveness?
Is the style appropriate for the purpose, audience, and form?
5. Context and Perspective
Context: The circumstances surrounding the text's creation and reception.
Consider:
Historical Context: When was it written? What were the key events, social attitudes, or cultural norms of the time?
Social Context: What social issues or debates are relevant to the text?
Political Context: What political events or ideologies are relevant?
Cultural Context: What cultural values, beliefs, or traditions are reflected in the text?
Biographical Context: What do you know about the writer's life, background, and experiences? How might this influence the text?
Questions to ask about Context:
When and where was this text written? What was happening at that time?
What social, political, or cultural context is important for understanding the text?
How might the context influence the writer's views and choices?
How might the context have affected how the text was originally received?
Perspective/Viewpoint: The writer's point of view, opinions, and biases. All non-fiction texts are written from a particular perspective, even if they aim to be objective.
Consider:
First-person, Second-person, Third-person: How does the choice of perspective affect the reader's experience?
Bias: Does the writer have a particular bias or agenda? How is this revealed?
Omissions: What is left out of the text? Whose voices or perspectives are missing?
Assumptions: What assumptions does the writer make about the world and the reader?
Questions to ask about Perspective:
From what perspective is the text written? (Personal, objective, biased, etc.)
What is the writer's viewpoint on the topic? Is it clear or subtle?
Are there any biases evident in the text? How are they conveyed?
Whose voices are included or excluded? What perspectives are privileged or marginalized?
How does the writer's perspective shape the reader's understanding of the topic?
Approaches to Analysis
Close Reading: Detailed examination of specific words, phrases, sentences, and paragraphs. Focus on how language works in specific moments.
Contextual Analysis: Considering the historical, social, political, and cultural contexts surrounding the text. Understanding how context shapes meaning.
Comparative Analysis (if applicable): Comparing two or more texts, looking for similarities and differences in purpose, audience, form, language, tone, and perspective.
Effective Analysis:
Focus on the 'How' and 'Why': Don't just describe what is in the text; analyse how it is done and why the writer makes those choices.
Use Textual Evidence: Support your points with specific quotations and examples from the text. Explain how these examples demonstrate your analysis.
Use Analytical Terminology: Employ terms like "metaphor," "tone," "structure," "purpose," "audience," "rhetorical question," "anecdote," etc., to show your understanding of analytical concepts.
Structure Your Response: Organise your analysis logically, often by focusing on different aspects (language, structure, tone, purpose) in separate paragraphs.
Address the Question Directly: Make sure your analysis directly answers the specific question asked in the exam. Stay focused and relevant.
Consider the Effect on the Reader: Always think about how the writer's choices are intended to affect the reader. Use phrases like "This makes the reader feel...", "This creates a sense of...", "The effect on the audience is...".
