Analysing language and structure
Clear notes with worked examples, then 4 practice questions with answers. Written by Beyond Tutors tutors for the KS3 National Curriculum.
Language: zoom in on words
Ask: what does this word make me picture or feel? Why THIS word?
"the river had swallowed the lower field" → personification: the river seems hungry and powerful.
Techniques to spot
- Pathetic fallacy: weather matches mood (storm = chaos, sunshine = hope)
- Oxymoron: opposites together (deafening silence)
- Semantic field: a group of related words (blood, wound, battle → a field of war)
- Sibilance: repeated 's' sounds (slithering, silent snake)
Structure: zoom out
- How does it open and end? Short sentences = impact.
- Does the focus shift (wide view → one detail)?
- Is there a turning point?
Writing about it (p.e.e.)
Point: The writer shows the storm's power.
Evidence: the fence lay "like matchsticks".
Explain: matchsticks are tiny and fragile, so the reader sees how easily the storm destroyed it.
Practice questions
Try each one, then tap to see the answer and why.
- Question 1 · Language techniques
What is pathetic fallacy?
- AA sad character
- BA weak argument
- CWeather or setting reflecting a character's mood
- DA type of rhyme
Show the answer
C: Weather or setting reflecting a character's mood
e.g. rain and grey skies when a character is sad.
- Question 2 · Language techniques
Which is an oxymoron?
- AVery loud
- BDeafening silence
- CSilent night
- DLoud noise
Show the answer
B: Deafening silence
An oxymoron puts opposite ideas together: deafening + silence.
- Question 3 · Vocabulary
What does "reluctant" mean?
- AEager
- BAngry
- CUnwilling
- DLate
Show the answer
C: Unwilling
Reluctant means not wanting to do something.
- Question 4 · Vocabulary
Which word is an antonym (opposite) of "generous"?
- AKind
- BGiving
- CSelfish
- DFriendly
Show the answer
C: Selfish
Selfish is the opposite of generous.