Analysing Non-Fiction (EdExcel)

Understanding Non-Fiction Texts

Non-fiction texts are based on factual information and aim to inform, persuade, advise, or entertain. They are diverse and can include:

• Articles: News reports, features, opinion pieces, reviews.

• Speeches: Political addresses, persuasive talks, lectures.

• Autobiographies and Biographies: Personal accounts, life stories.

• Travel Writing: Accounts of journeys, explorations.

• Essays: Formal or informal discussions of a topic.

• Letters: Formal or informal correspondence.

• Websites and Online Content: Blogs, informational pages, online articles.

• Instructional Texts: Guides, manuals, recipes.

Key Areas for Analysis:

1. Purpose and Audience

• Purpose (Why was it written?):

  • Inform: To convey facts, explain ideas, educate the reader. Look for clear factual language, statistics, examples, and explanations.

  • Persuade: To convince the reader to adopt a particular viewpoint or take action. Identify persuasive techniques (rhetorical questions, emotive language, appeals to authority, repetition).

  • Advise: To guide the reader, offer recommendations, or provide instructions. Note the tone (authoritative, encouraging, cautionary), and the use of direct address (e.g., "you").

  • Entertain: To engage the reader's interest, evoke emotions, and provide enjoyment. Look for humour, anecdotes, vivid descriptions, and engaging narrative techniques.

  • Describe: To create a vivid picture in the reader's mind, focusing on sensory details and imagery.

  • Reflect: To share personal thoughts, feelings, and experiences, often with a contemplative tone.

• Audience (Who is it for?):

  • Consider: Age, background knowledge, interests, values, and expectations of the intended readers.

  • Evidence: Look for clues in the language, tone, content, and form of the text. Is it formal or informal? Does it assume specialist knowledge or explain things simply? Does it appeal to specific interests or values?

  • Impact: How does the text tailor its approach to engage and affect its intended audience? Does it succeed in reaching and influencing them?

Analytical Questions:

• What is the main aim of this text? Is it primarily to inform, persuade, advise, entertain, describe, or reflect? Can you identify evidence to support this?

• Who is the intended audience for this text? How do you know?

• How does the writer tailor the text to suit this audience and achieve their purpose?

• Is the purpose clear and effectively achieved?

2. Form, Structure, and Genre

• Form (What type of text is it?):

  • Genre Recognition: Identify the genre (article, speech, blog post, etc.). Genre conventions influence reader expectations and writer's choices.

  • Hybrid Forms: Recognise if the text blends genres (e.g., a travel article with persuasive elements).

• Structure (How is it organised?):

  • Overall Structure: Is it chronological, thematic, argumentative, narrative, descriptive? How does the structure contribute to the text's purpose?

  • Paragraphing: How are paragraphs used to develop ideas? Are they topic-based, linked logically, and effectively structured?

  • Headings, Subheadings, and Visual Features: How do these elements guide the reader and organise information? Do images, captions, or diagrams enhance understanding?

  • Openings and Closings: How does the text begin to engage the reader? How does it conclude and leave a lasting impression? Is there a clear introduction and conclusion?

  • Pacing and Rhythm: How does the text control the speed and flow of information? Are there shifts in pace?

Analytical Questions:

• What type of non-fiction text is this? How does its genre influence its features?

• How is the text structured? Is it effective?

• How do structural features (headings, paragraphs, etc.) contribute to the overall meaning and purpose?

• Is the structure logical and easy to follow for the intended audience?

• How does the opening engage the reader? How does the closing leave a final impression?

3. Language

• Lexis (Word Choice):

  • Connotations: What are the implied meanings and associations of words? Are words chosen for their emotional impact?

  • Formality/Informality: Is the language formal, informal, or colloquial? How does this contribute to tone and audience appeal?

  • Technical/Specialist Language: Is there jargon or specific vocabulary? Who is this language aimed at?

  • Figurative Language: Identify and analyse metaphors, similes, personification, hyperbole, etc. What effects do they create? Do they clarify, emphasise, or add interest?

• Syntax (Sentence Structure):

  • Sentence Length and Variety: Are sentences short and impactful, long and complex, or a mix? How does sentence structure affect pace and emphasis?

  • Sentence Types: Are there declarative statements, questions, exclamations, commands? What is the effect of sentence type variation?

  • Grammatical Features: Consider use of active/passive voice, sentence beginnings, and punctuation. How do these contribute to the text's impact?

• Tone (Writer's Attitude):

  • Identify the Tone: Is it serious, humorous, sarcastic, critical, enthusiastic, objective, biased, etc.? Tone is conveyed through word choice, sentence structure, and other language features.

  • Effect of Tone: How does the tone influence the reader's response? Does it build trust, create distance, evoke emotions, or persuade?

• Persuasive Techniques (If applicable):

  • Rhetorical Questions: Engage the reader and prompt thought.

  • Emotive Language: Appeals to emotions (fear, anger, sympathy, hope).

  • Appeals to Authority/Expert Opinion: Lends credibility to arguments.

  • Statistics and Facts: Provides evidence and logical appeal (logos).

  • Anecdotes and Personal Stories: Creates connection and emotional appeal (pathos).

  • Repetition: Emphasises key ideas and creates rhythm.

  • Direct Address: Engages the reader personally ("you," "we").

  • Tripling/Rule of Three: Creates emphasis and memorability.

Analytical Questions:

• What kind of language is used? Is it formal, informal, technical, emotive? Why?

• How does the writer use word choice (lexis) to create specific effects? Give examples.

• How does sentence structure (syntax) contribute to the text's meaning and impact?

• What is the overall tone of the text? How is it created? What effect does it have on the reader?

• If the text is persuasive, what techniques are used and how effective are they?

4. Representation and Perspective

• Perspective/Point of View:

  • First Person ("I," "we"): Personal and subjective, can create intimacy or bias.

  • Third Person ("he," "she," "it," "they"): Can create objectivity or distance.

  • Consider: Whose voice is dominant? Whose perspective is prioritised? Are there other viewpoints presented or excluded?

• Bias and Objectivity:

  • Identify Bias: Does the writer present a particular viewpoint strongly? Is there evidence of prejudice or unfairness?

  • Assess Objectivity: Does the text aim for neutrality and factual reporting? How successfully is objectivity achieved?

  • Purpose of Bias/Objectivity: Why might the writer choose to be biased or objective? How does this serve their purpose and audience?

• Stereotypes and Assumptions:

  • Identify Stereotypes: Are any groups or individuals portrayed in a stereotypical way? What are the implications of these stereotypes?

  • Unstated Assumptions: What does the writer assume about the reader's knowledge, beliefs, or values? Are these assumptions valid?

• Selection and Omission:

  • What is Included/Excluded: What information, details, or perspectives are included in the text? What is left out?

  • Purpose of Selection/Omission: Why might the writer choose to include certain things and omit others? How does this shape the reader's understanding?

Analytical Questions:

• From what perspective is the text written? How does this shape the content and tone?

• Is the text objective or biased? How can you tell? What is the effect of this?

• Are there any stereotypes or assumptions present in the text? What are their implications?

• What information or perspectives might be missing from the text? Why might this be?

• How does the representation of people, places, or events influence the reader's understanding?

5. Context

• Social Context:

  • Social Issues: What social issues or concerns are relevant to the text? (e.g., poverty, inequality, social change, cultural norms).

  • Social Attitudes: What were the prevailing social attitudes and beliefs at the time of writing? How might these have influenced the text and its reception?

  • Social Groups: How does the text relate to different social groups (e.g., class, gender, ethnicity)?

• Historical Context:

  • Time Period: When was the text written? What historical events or trends are relevant?

  • Historical Events/Figures: Does the text refer to specific historical events or figures? How does historical context shape the text's meaning?

  • Changes Over Time: How might the text be understood differently by readers in different historical periods?

• Cultural Context:

  • Cultural Values and Beliefs: What cultural values, norms, or beliefs are reflected in the text?

  • Cultural Background of Writer/Audience: How might the cultural background of the writer and intended audience influence the text and its interpretation?

  • Cross-Cultural Understanding: How might the text be received or understood in different cultures? Are there potential cultural misunderstandings?

Analytical Questions:

• What is the social, historical, and cultural context of this text? Why is this context important?

• How might the text have been received by readers at the time it was written?

• How does understanding the context enhance your interpretation of the text?

• Are there any aspects of the context that are particularly relevant to the text's purpose or message?

6. Effect on the Reader

• Intended Effect: What does the writer want the reader to think, feel, or do as a result of reading this text?

• Emotional Response: What emotions might the text evoke in the reader (e.g., sympathy, anger, fear, amusement, inspiration)? How are these emotions created?

• Intellectual Response: What ideas or perspectives does the text encourage the reader to consider? Does it challenge or reinforce existing beliefs?

• Call to Action (If applicable): Does the text explicitly or implicitly encourage the reader to take any action? What kind of action?

• Overall Impact and Effectiveness: How successful is the text in achieving its intended effect on the reader? Is it engaging, persuasive, informative, or thought-provoking? Why or why not?

Analytical Questions:

• What effect is the writer trying to have on the reader?

• What emotions or ideas does the text aim to evoke? How does it achieve this?

• How effectively does the text engage and influence the reader?

• What is your personal response to the text? How has your understanding been shaped by your analysis?

Analytical Techniques 

• PEE/PEAL/PETAL Paragraphs: Structure your analysis using these paragraph frameworks:

  • Point: State your analytical point about a specific feature.

  • Evidence: Provide a quotation or specific example from the text to support your point.

  • Explanation/Analysis: Explain how the evidence supports your point. Analyse the effects of language, structure, form, etc.

  • (Link): (Optional) Link back to the question, the text's purpose, or another point.

• Focus on "How" and "Why": Don't just identify features; explain how they work and why the writer has used them to achieve their purpose and affect the audience.

• Use Terminology: Employ appropriate analytical terminology (e.g., metaphor, syntax, tone, rhetorical question, connotations).

• Contextualise: Show awareness of the text's context and how it influences meaning.

• Develop your own "Voice": Present your analysis clearly and confidently, showing your own understanding and interpretation.