IGCSE English 0500

Analysing and evaluating language

(writer’s effect)

Analysing and Evaluating Writers’ Effects

Jodie Louise Fisher

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

1. understand the differences between analysing and

evaluating
2. analyse how a text it achieves its purpose (using evidence)
3. evaluate how a text creates an atmosphere
(This links to your IGCSE Assessment Objective for READING -R4- and you will
be assessed on this in Paper 1 question 2d next year!)
 Who? What? Where? Why? How?
Do you think he will be successful?
 to examine something in
detail and attempt to explain
it

to make judgements
about something
based on our analysis
of it
What are we trying to achieve when we
analyse?

What part of our activity involved analysis?

What are we trying to achieve when we

evaluate?

When did we start evaluating in our activity?

What comes first, the analysis or the

evaluation?
The Forgotten
The sunlight struggled through the thick canopy of leaves and fought its way
down to the forest floor where no creature stirred. Flashes of sunlight
momentarily penetrated the abandoned darkness with illuminated pockets
of greens, yellows and browns. There were no shrills or calls from birds, and
no chirping of insects. All that could be heard were the cold, damp gasps of
wind aching through the solemn congregation of ancient trees. Long,
twisting creepers spun round the thick bodies of the towering trunks; tying
branches to branches and falling down the great bark bodies like melted
candle wax. Within the intricate lacing of the maze of giant roots that clung
to the centuries old, untouched earth, darkness engulfed deep pools that
concealed small predators stalking small, slippery prey.
Lonely and forgotten….
Write down four pieces of evidence that show that the setting is lonely
and forgotten.

1.
......…………………………………………………………………………
……

2.…………………………........................................................................
...........

3.……………………………………………………………………………
………………………………
The Forgotten
The sunlight struggled through the thick canopy of leaves and fought its
way down to the forest floor where no creature stirred. Flashes of sunlight
momentarily penetrated the abandoned darkness with illuminated pockets
of greens, yellows and browns. There were no shrills or calls from birds, and
no chirping of insects. All that could be heard were the cold, damp gasps of
wind aching through the solemn congregation of ancient trees. Long,
twisting creepers spun round the thick bodies of the towering trunks; tying
branches to branches and falling down the great bark bodies like melted
candle wax. Within the intricate lacing of the maze of giant roots that clung
to the centuries old, untouched earth, darkness engulfed deep pools that
concealed small predators stalking small, slippery prey.
Think about your word/phrase:
Now, choose one of your WOW words….
What does it mean?
What type of word is it
(adjective/metaphor/simile/verb,etc)?
What does it sound like?
Does if have +/- connotation?
What does it make you think of?
Sentence starters to analyse….
The phrase ‘………….’ suggests……… This shows........because/as/since....
because......... This emphasises... ....because/as/since....
This highlights that... ....because/as/since....

The word/phrase ‘……………………………….’ This helps the reader to understand that...

....because/as/since....
(implies that…..../ makes the reader
This reinforces the ideas that...
feel... / gives the idea that.../ creates a ....because/as/since....
sense
The fact that... ....because/as/since....
of)................................................................
The use of the
...because/as/since.................. simile/metaphor/personification/alliteration
conveys a… …idea/feeling as...
EVALUATE
Was the writer successful?
Are the writer’s chosen
words/phrases effective?
Does the word/phrase you have
chosen make you feel like the
place is really lonely and
forgotten?
Think about how the writer has
created this effect on you.
Sentence starters to
evaluate…
This is effective because…
This is a successful image because…
The author is trying to show that… ….this is effective because…
The language is effective because it shows/creates/portrays…
Peer and Self Assessment
Show your chosen word/phrase, analysis and evaluation
to a friend. Did you choose the same word/phrase?
Is your partner’s analysis and evaluation clear?
Check your progress:
Do you understand the differences between analysing and evaluating?
Can you choose powerful words from a text?
Can you analyse the word/phrase and explain it?
Can you evaluate how that word/phrase creates an atmosphere
and whether it is successful?
 The absence of any creature stirring on the forest
floor, with no shrills or calls from birds, and no
chirping of insects, indicates a sense of desolation and
loneliness
Deep pools concealing predators stalking
prey The cold, damp gasps of wind aching through the
ancient trees create a solemn and eerie atmosphere,
Cold, damp wind aching through ancient emphasizing the forgotten nature of the setting
trees
The description of long, twisting creepers tying
Twisting creepers tying branches and falling branches to branches and falling down the tree trunks
like melted wax like melted candle wax portrays a sense of decay and
neglect, contributing to the feeling of abandonment
Absence of creatures stirring on the forest
floor. The deep pools within the intricate lacing of giant
roots, concealing predators stalking prey, suggest a
haunting and isolated environment, reinforcing the
idea of loneliness and being forgotten
Read the passage below. Copy down any words or phrases that
create a vivid image or emotion.
The waves crashed against the rocks with a fierce,
unrelenting force, sending up a mist of salty spray that hung
in the air like ghostly veils. The sky was a deep, bruised
purple, heavy with the weight of an approaching storm, while
the wind howled through the cliffs like a wounded animal.
Every gust seemed to carry a hint of danger, a raw energy
that whipped around the narrow cove, stirring the jagged
trees that clung precariously to the rocky ledges.
Identify Language Features

1. Identify the technique of your chosen words/phrases:

● Similes
● Metaphors
● Adjectives or verbs that create a specific mood
● others?

2. Make notes with the following questions in mind:

● What image or emotion does this word or phrase create?

● How does this contribute to the overall atmosphere of the scene?
Answering the Writer's Effect Question
Prompt: How does the writer use language to create an atmosphere of
tension and danger?
Instructions:
● Begin by identifying the overall mood of the passage.
● Select words/phrases from the passage and explain how each one
contributes to this mood.
● Describe the impact of specific words within each phrase.
Example Answer Structure:

1. POINT: What is your main idea? (E.g. “The writer

creates a tense atmosphere…”
2. Phrase Identification: Select a phrase and describe
it (e.g., "the waves crashed against the rocks").
3. Language Analysis: Explain how specific words
(like "crashed" or "unrelenting force") create an image
or evoke an emotion.
4. Effect on the Reader: Describe the effect this has on
the reader (e.g., a sense of looming danger, the power of
nature).

OR you can use the PETAL technique we have learnt in

World Literature.
Sample Answer to the Prompt:

The writer creates an intense and threatening atmosphere in the passage through vivid descriptions
of the natural setting. For instance, the phrase “waves crashed against the rocks with a fierce,
unrelenting force” uses the words “crashed” and “unrelenting” to convey the powerful, dangerous
energy of the sea. The verb “crashed” suggests violence and impact, making the waves seem almost
alive in their aggression. Additionally, “unrelenting force” implies that this is continuous and
unstoppable, enhancing the sense of danger.

Similarly, the writer describes the sky as “a deep, bruised purple, heavy with the weight of an
approaching storm.” The word “bruised” personifies the sky, as if it’s been physically struck,
creating an ominous and tense mood. This description, along with “heavy,” suggests that something
dark and unavoidable is coming, setting the scene for a storm that mirrors the dangerous mood.

Finally, the simile “the wind howled through the cliffs like a wounded animal” amplifies the tension
by likening the sound of the wind to a creature in pain, which creates a feeling of unease. This makes
the setting feel more hostile and unsettling for the reader.