Paper 1 Question 3 Skills: Structure Analysis (AQA GCSE English Language): Revision Note
Exam code: 8700
Paper 1 Question 3 tests you on your ability to comment on and analyse the structural choices a writer has made. But what is structure? How is it different from language? And how do you analyse it on the exam paper?
The following guide contains everything you need to know about the skills you need to demonstrate when answering the structure question:
How do you analyse structure?
Structural techniques
Key questions for analysing structure
Analysing structure in the exam
How do you analyse structure?
To explain, comment on and analyse the effects of structure you must:
Show you understand the writer’s use of structure
Examine and analyse the effects of the writer’s structural choices
Select and use relevant quotations
Use appropriate subject terminology to discuss structural techniques
The most important part of the assessment is the analysis of the effects of a writer’s choice of structure. Analysis of effects should be precise and contextualised to a specific point in the text.
It’s also important that, if you do use subject terminology (terms that relate to a writer’s use of structure, like “linear” or “juxtaposition”), that it enhances the points made.
What counts as structure?
In Question 3, structure refers to the way in which a writer has deliberately organised their text for a specific reason. That reason might be to create a particular tone or mood, such as tension, or anticipation.
Structural features can be at:
Structural techniques
Analysing structure for Question 3 can seem very demanding, but it simply involves examining the structural choices made by the writer and their impact on the text.
When looking over your extract, try to focus on the following:
Structural feature | Questions to ask |
|---|---|
The narrative perspective of the text |
|
The organisation and use of time |
|
The location and setting |
|
Characters and how they are introduced |
|
Pacing |
|
Repetition and motifs |
|
Once you’ve answered a few of the above questions, you have to explore reasons why the writer might have made these choices. What are they trying to achieve by choosing to structure their text in this particular way?
Examiner Tips and Tricks
While the examiner will expect you to use relevant subject terminology to support your views, this does not mean that you will secure more marks for demonstrating a wide knowledge of structural terms.
It is much more important that you clearly articulate the intended effects of a writer’s choices, rather than just listing any devices that they have used.
The table below provides some other key structural terms, and how you might use them in an exam:
Structural technique | What to look for in the exam |
|---|---|
Openings |
|
Endings |
|
| |
| |
Linear narrative |
|
Non-linear narrative |
|
Cyclical structure |
|
Key questions for analysing structure
As you read through a text, consider these key questions. These questions will help you to move from the what, to how and on to why.
Analysing structure in the exam
For the very best marks for Question 3, it’s important to analyse a writer’s structural choices across the whole of the passage you are given in the exam.
As a result, we will now explore the beginning, middle and end of an extract, in a similar way that you might do in the exam.
The passage below is from the opening of Chapter 3 from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. It is about a wealthy man named Gatsby and the narrative is told from the perspective of his neighbour, Nick.
Annotating the extract
It’s important — before you start reading or annotating the extract — that you read the question carefully to know exactly what to look for. Then, highlight relevant parts of the text and annotate the effects of these structural features in the margins:
Turning your annotations into an answer
We will now use your annotations to write full sentences about the middle and end of the text, while also comparing and contrasting it to the opening. This shows that you are aware of Fitzgerald making conscious choices to create shifts and contrasts in his narrative.
Structural technique(s) | Quote from the text | Intended effect on the reader |
|---|---|---|
Shift in narrative perspective | “He smiled understandingly – much more than understandingly.” | While the opening lines of Chapter 3 focus on the external spectacle and grandeur of Gatsby's world, this passage in the middle of the text shifts the focus to the personal interaction between Nick and Gatsby. The narrative perspective changes from an all-encompassing view of the parties to a more intimate portrayal of Nick's individual feelings which the writer uses to create a more personal tone. |
Dialogue | “I’m Gatsby,” he said suddenly. “What!” I exclaimed. “Oh, I beg your pardon.” | The use of direct speech at this point in the narrative brings a more intimate dimension and reveals the growing connection between Nick and Gatsby. It also provides insight into Gatsby's charm and his efforts to build a relationship with Nick. Similarly, the dialogue brings an immediacy to the scene and draws the reader into a closer connection with the characters. |
Tone | “I thought you knew, old sport. I’m afraid I’m not a very good host.” | The opening lines of the narrative set a tone of extravagance, vibrancy and opulence, reflecting the lavishness of Gatsby's parties. In contrast, the middle section of the passage conveys a more personal and introspective tone, which focuses on Nick's feelings of shame at not having known who Gatsby was and Gatsby's reassuring response. The writer’s shift in tone reflects the transition from the external spectacle of the party to a more emotional and introspective moment between both characters. |
While the model paragraphs above do a good job in using accurate subject terminology (“narrative perspective”; “direct speech”; “tone”), they are always focused on the effects of these structural choices. This is what makes these answers reflective of a Grade 9 student.
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Remember, mastering the analysis of structure requires practice and familiarity with different techniques.
Try to pay attention to different structural techniques as you read and practise analysing passages. The more you do this, the better your skills in identifying and interpreting structural features will become.
Learn more and test yourself
For more great tips and tricks, check out our dedicated revision notes on how to answer Paper 1 Question 3 and our fully annotated Paper 1 Question 3 model answer.
You can also test yourself on Paper 1 Question 3 with expert-created Save My Exams quiz and exam questions. Try our Paper 1 Question 3 multiple choice questions, and answer full questions and get them marked by Smart Mark, our AI model created by English Language experts.
You've read 0 of your 5 free revision notes this week
Unlock more, it's free!
Did this page help you?
