Analysing a Fiction Extract

A language analysis exercise of 4 pages based around a short fiction extract. The questions are embedded within the body of the story and encourage students to discover how to understand the deeper meanings within a writer’s use of language and structure.
A bonus question at the end is in the style adopted by AQA for their Question 4 in GCSE English Language Paper One
Further extension work is provided in the form of a suggested creative writing exercise. In addition, teachers might want to set specific questions in the AQA style (e.g.: ‘How does the writer use language in the first section to create a sense of menace and threat?’
Typical questions include:
• Highlight the words and phrases in the paragraph above that create an atmosphere of menace and threat
• Which word would best fill the gap? – hiding, resting, lurking, sleeping.
Explain why you think this word the best
• What is the predominant language technique in the paragraph above?
Suggested answers are supplied at the end.