Exam skills

A Christmas carol : You don’t have to use the examples shown, they are just their for generalisation.

A Christmas Carol structure (fits for every type of question)

4 PRTEZEL paragraphs


Paragraph 1 : PRTEZEL


P - Point : xyz

R - Reference : ‘Solitary as an oyster’

T - Technique : Simile 

E - Effect : xyz

Z - Zoom in : Adjective ‘solitary’

E : Effect : xyz

L - Link : xyz 


Paragraph 2 : PRTEZEL 


P - Point : xyz

R - Reference : “Another idol has displaced me.”

T - Technique : Juxtaposition / metaphor

E - Effect : xyz

Z - Zoom in : symbolism

E : Effect : xyz

L - Link : xyz 



P - Point : xyz

R - Reference : “smooth white snow upon the roof … dirtier snow upon the ground.”

T - Technique : Pathetic fallacy  

E - Effect :xyz

Z - Zoom in : Foreshadowing

E : Effect : xyz

L - Link : xyz 



P - Point : xyz

R - Reference : Boy is ignorance and girl is want 

T - Technique : Imperative 

E - Effect :  xyz

Z - Zoom in : form : gothic genre 

E : Effect : xyz

L - Link : xyz 

ANALYSIS HELP

1. Introduce the quote + technique

2. Direct Effect — what is happening?

3. Zoom into a key word

4. Emotional/Psychological Impact

5. Message or Intent

🔁 Bonus Tip: Use These Analysis Starters

Here are some smart, high-grade phrases to weave in:

  • “This symbolises…”

  • “This evokes a sense of…”

  • “This could imply that…”

  • “The poet may be warning the reader about…”

  • “The imagery suggests an ongoing cycle of…”

  • “It paints a picture of…”

🧠 Mini Planning Grid (use this for every quote):

Step

What to write for planning

Quote

Copy the quote (or pick the part you’ll zoom in on)

Technique

What technique is used? (e.g. metaphor, adjective, sibilance)

Surface meaning

What is the quote literally about?

Hidden meaning

What does it suggest beneath the surface?

Effect on reader

What does it make us think/feel? Why?

Zoom word

One key word in the quote — what does it imply/convey?

Writer’s message

Why might the writer include this? What are they showing?