When you're writing an essay, the analysis is often the least planned and most rushed part of each paragraph. I know I used to fall into this trap. Every time I got to my evidence, I'd think the same thing:
“It's just a quote and a technique, no big deal.”
With that attitude, I kept getting the same feedback over and over. My evidence didn't flow, my arguments weren't strong enough, and most importantly, it wasn't clear that I was answering the question.
A strong introduction and clear arguments help with this too, but well planned analysis is what really holds a paragraph together. Your evidence is how you prove to the marker that your argument is right, by pointing to exactly where and how it happens in the text. Without it, your essay turns into a ramble that isn't grounded in the text you're studying. Here's a step by step guide to writing strong analysis in the evidence section of your PEEL paragraphs.
Before you analyse anything, introduce the point you're trying to prove. Too many students dive straight into a quote and technique without explaining what they're actually trying to say. Approach your analysis as logically as you can, and the most logical place to start is the idea you want to talk about.
For example, say you're answering this question:
“Ambition is the driving force of Macbeth's destruction.” To what extent is this true?
Your argument (point) for the paragraph is that ambition destroys Macbeth because of the guilt his actions bring. One idea that supports this is that his guilt is revealed after he murders King Duncan, the act that begins his downfall. Your idea sentence needs to follow on from your point sentence, which answers the question by introducing your argument. So your idea sentence could look like this:
Macbeth's guilt as a product of his ultimately destructive ambition is demonstrated by Shakespeare through the aftermath of him murdering King Duncan.
This works as an idea sentence because it links back to your argument, uses key words from the question so the marker can see you're engaging with it, and sets you up to bring in a quote.
With your idea set up, the next step is the easiest one: linking it to a relevant quote. Phrases like “Shakespeare illustrates this idea through…” or “This is revealed through…” connect your idea and your quote.
With that link in place, your quote sentence could look like this:
Shakespeare illustrates this idea through “Methought I heard a voice cry ‘Sleep no more!’”
Next, you need to do two things:
In the quote from Step 2, Shakespeare uses auditory imagery, which simply means the way he describes sound. As for why, the auditory imagery reveals how deep Macbeth's guilt goes. It's no longer something he only feels. It's something he hears.
Put the technique and its meaning together and you get a sentence like this:
Unsettling auditory imagery is utilised by Shakespeare to reveal the depth of Macbeth's guilt, as it has become something which he both feels and hears, revealing how guilt has completely encapsulated him.
This is the most important step. You've given an idea, a quote, and a technique with its meaning. Now you need to tell the marker why this evidence matters. An essay is an argument, so everything you write needs to support it. Don't assume the marker will work out why your quote supports your argument. Spell out why it does and how it answers the question.
Remember, the most important thing in any essay is answering the question. Your explain sentence could look like this:
Thus, through using intense imagery to portray the depth of Macbeth's guilt, Shakespeare posits that the guilt Macbeth experiences is a direct result of his unchecked ambition, revealing the way in which Macbeth's ambition is a destructive quality.
By coming back to the question in the middle of your paragraph, you show the marker that your argument carries all the way through. That's something every Band 6 response does.
An easy way to remember this step: Explain = cause + effect. If you can connect what Shakespeare is doing to the bigger meaning, you're on the right track.
Combine all four steps and you get this:
Macbeth's guilt as a product of his ultimately destructive ambition is demonstrated by Shakespeare through the aftermath of him murdering King Duncan. Shakespeare illustrates this idea through “Methought I heard a voice cry ‘Sleep no more!’” Unsettling auditory imagery is utilised by Shakespeare to reveal the depth of Macbeth's guilt, as it has become something which he both feels and hears, revealing how guilt has completely encapsulated him. Thus, through using intense imagery to portray the depth of Macbeth's guilt, Shakespeare posits that the guilt Macbeth experiences is a direct result of his unchecked ambition, revealing the way in which Macbeth's ambition is a destructive quality.
You can remember this process with the acronym IQTE: Idea, Quote, Technique, Explain. Each body paragraph should then be structured like this:
We’ve got an incredible team of English tutors at Pinnacle Learners!
If you need some help writing stronger analysis, we’ll help you strengthen your essay writing and build the confidence to ace your next assessment.
Our one-on-one lessons are available online or in person at our office in Rozelle, giving students across Sydney’s Inner West (Balmain, Leichhardt and beyond) the support they need to excel.
Over the years, our students have boosted their results by 20% or more through expert guidance, proven strategies, and mentoring that goes beyond the textbook.
