Writer’s Effect and Language Analysis Revision Notes

A Guide Made By 13-15/15 scorers

To attain top bands for the language analysis question, follow the PIE steps.
P ICK PRECISELY I DENTIFY a language device E FFECT on the reader/developed

Language Devices
LANGUAGE SOUNDS/WORDS IRONY

Simile Hyperbole Alliteration Verbal

Metaphor Oxymoron Repetition Situational

Personification Dramatic

ATMOSPHERE OTHER DEVICES

Diction/Patterns Idioms Puns Assonance Rhetorics Polysyndetons

Tone
Anaphora Internal Rhyme Allusion Eth/Path/Log
Mood

Look at Syntax and Sentence Structure too.

A model writers effect questions will follow:

Language Device Identified → Line from Text → Analysis → Effect Created → Contribution to Themes in Text

Text from a Song: Text Sample (ivy, evermore, 2020; Taylor Swift)

“And the old widow goes to the stone everyday, but not me, I just sit here and wait, grieving for
the living”

In the lyrics from "ivy" in Taylor Swift's album "evermore," the employment of vivid imagery stands out
as the singer contrasts the actions of an "old widow" who visits a gravestone daily with the speaker's
passive waiting. This contrast is encapsulated in the lines, "And the old widow goes to the stone everyday,
but not me, I just sit here and wait, grieving for the living." Through this imagery, Swift effectively
conveys the enduring nature of grief through the widow's routine, while emphasising the speaker's
inertia in the face of their emotions. This creates a thought-provoking effect on the reader, highlighting
the speaker's internal conflict and prompting contemplation of their response to loss. Moreover, this
imagery contributes to the overarching themes of emotional paralysis and the intricate facets of grief
within the song, adding depth to its exploration of human emotions and experiences.

This guide contains 10 printed pages.

IGCSE English 0500 Guide © Writer’s Effect & Language Analysis ABh

What makes the above response score well?

Text from a Novel:

Text Sample (The Great Gatsby; 1925; F S Fitzgerald)

“His dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it. He did not know
that it was already behind him, somewhere back in that vast obscurity beyond the city, where
the dark fields of the republic rolled on under the night."

Fitzgerald employs the metaphor of Gatsby's dream being close to convey the illusion of attainability.
The juxtaposition of "close" and "behind him" emphasises the futility of Gatsby's pursuit and adds a sense
of irony. The use of the word "obscurity" coupled with "dark fields" creates a bleak and desolate
atmosphere, reflecting the disillusionment Gatsby experiences. This metaphor and juxtaposition
collectively serve to highlight the ephemeral nature of the American Dream, a central theme in the novel,
and underscore the broader critique of the materialistic society of the 1920s.

What makes the above response score well?

Text from a Contemporary Source (Journal/Magazines/etc.)

Text Sample (The Diary of Anne Frank; 1941-43; Anne Frank)

“Now our Secret Annex has truly become secret. Because so many houses are being searched
for hidden bicycles, Mryou Kugler thought it would be better to have a bookcase built in front of
the entrance to our hiding place. It swings out on its hinges and opens like a door. Mr Voskuijl
did the carpentry work. (Mr Voskuijl has been told that the seven of us are in hiding, and he’s
been most helpful.) Now whenever we want to go downstairs we have to duck and then jump.
After the first three days, we were all walking around with bumps on our foreheads from
banging our heads against the low doorway. Then Peter cushioned it by nailing a towel stuffed
with wood shavings to the door frame. Let’s see if it helps!”

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The writer uses the language device of irony to depict the situation in Anne Frank's diary entry. The line,
"Now our Secret Annex has truly become secret," is ironic as it juxtaposes the common expectation of a
"secret annex" being a hidden and private space. This serves to highlight the heightened tension and
vulnerability the inhabitants feel due to the ongoing searches for hidden bicycles. The use of the term
"Secret Annex" becomes almost sarcastic, emphasising the irony of a supposedly secret place requiring
further concealment. This irony creates an effect of dark humour, adding a layer of complexity to their
circumstances. This passage contributes to the theme of confinement and the claustrophobic reality of
life in hiding, offering a glimpse into the mundane yet extraordinary details of their concealed existence
during WW2.

What makes the above response score well?

Identifying Language Features Practice

Try to match the language features from the box to the sentences in which they are present.
There may be more than one for each sentence and language features can be repeated.

Simile Metaphor Polysyndeton Personification Allusion

Imagery Anaphora Juxtaposition Rhymes Hyperbole

Idiom Paradox Oxymoron Assonance Alliteration

"Her ethereal presence cast an ineffable aura, like a moonbeam's delicate touch on a
starless night."
______________________________________________________________________________

"Amidst the cacophony of life, her laughter was a mellifluous symphony that echoed
through the depths of my soul."

______________________________________________________________________________

"The labyrinth of her thoughts, intricate as a spider's web, revealed a tapestry of

emotions intertwined."

______________________________________________________________________________

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"Beneath the veneer of confidence, her vulnerability was a chink in the armor of
invincibility.”

______________________________________________________________________________

Compare and Contrast

More often than not, the IGCSE writer’s effect question will ask you to respond to two
paragraphs that introduce two completely different ideas (locations, atmospheres, tensions,
etc.)

IGCSE immediately gives you marks when you make a comment about different
language devices and how they can be used to compare the two different ideas

Paragraph 3 Paragraph 6?

Amidst the dense foliage of the enchanted …As Elena found herself amid the
forest, Elena found herself intimidated by a towering skyscrapers of the urban jungle,
sense of mystique that pervaded the air. The a different kind of energy pulsed through
trees stand tall, their ancient trunks adorned the streets. The cityscape was a labyrinth
with tangled vines and moss. Sunlight filtered
of concrete and glass, illuminated by the
through the leaves in dappled patterns,
neon lights of bustling shops and
casting an ethereal glow upon the forest
floor. The gentle rustling of leaves was restaurants. Honking horns and the
accompanied by the distant whisper of a constant hum of activity filled the air,
babbling brook, creating an atmosphere of creating a symphony of urban life.
serenity and magic. People from all walks of life rushed by,
their footsteps echoed on the pavement.

Comparing the two paragraphs using language features

Paragraph 3 Analysis

In Paragraph 3, the author crafts an atmosphere of awe and trepidation as Elena navigates
the enchanted forest. The use of the word "intimidated" indicates that the mystique of the
forest casts an almost overwhelming sense of wonder, as if it holds secrets beyond human
comprehension. The "ethereal glow" and "gentle rustling" conjure a serene and almost
magical ambiance. By describing the forest as "adorned with tangled vines and moss," the
author invites readers to envision a lush, untouched wilderness that harbours age-old
mysteries. The "distant whisper" of the babbling brook hints at a harmonious relationship
between nature and magic. Overall, the language here reflects Elena's sense of being
humbled and captivated by the forest's enchantment.

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Paragraph 6 Analysis

On the contrary, Paragraph 6 thrusts Elena into the heart of urban hustle and bustle. The
phrase "towering skyscrapers" implies a sense of being dwarfed by the city's imposing
architecture. The term "energy pulsed" denotes a vibrant and dynamic urban life that moves
at a relentless pace. The juxtaposition of "neon lights" against the concrete and glass
scenery emphasises the artificial yet alluring nature of the cityscape. The use of "bustling
shops and restaurants," "honking horns," and "constant hum of activity" portrays an
environment in perpetual motion. The diversity suggested by "people from all walks of life"
highlights the city's cosmopolitan nature. In contrast to the enchanted forest, the language
evokes a feeling of being swept up in a whirlwind of human activity, with the echoes of
footsteps signifying the fast and unrelenting tempo of urban life.

Compare and Contrast P3 and P6

While the language in Paragraph 3 evokes a serene and mysterious connection to nature,
the language in Paragraph 6 crafts an urban landscape characterised by its frenetic energy
and diversity.

These contrasting linguistic choices mirror the opposing settings and contribute to the
reader's immersion in two vastly different worlds.

Comparison of Contrasting Ideas Practice

Now, you have a go!

Text Sample (Sarah Fisher in the City; Original; 2023)

1 In the depths of the ancient library, Sarah's fingers delicately traced the weathered spines of
antique books, each containing a world of knowledge waiting to be unearthed. The air hung
heavy with the scent of aged parchment, a comforting aroma that hinted at the wisdom held
within these hallowed walls. Sunbeams filtered through stained glass windows, casting a
kaleidoscope of colours onto the well-worn wooden tables, where scholars bent over their
studies in silent reverence. The gentle turning of pages sounded like a chorus of whispers, a
symphony of centuries-old voices that had stood the test of time. As Sarah read, she felt
herself being drawn into the vast tapestry of human understanding that this library contained.

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3 On the other side of town, the raucous melody of laughter and clinking glasses filled the air
as people gathered at the bustling street fair. Vibrant tents adorned with colourful banners
showcased local artisans' wares, inviting passersby to explore the tapestry of creativity that
adorned each booth. The scent of sizzling street food wafted through the crowd, mingling with
the sweet notes of live music performed on a makeshift stage. Children's excited chatter
harmonised with the joyful strains of a carousel's melody, while families shared cotton candy
and spun in delight. Among the throngs of people, Sarah found herself swept up in the
vivacious energy of the fair, a temporary escape from the confines of the library's hushed
serenity.

QN: Using two examples from each paragraph: analyse how the writer creates effect and
how the ideas established contribute to contrasting tones within the text.

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IGCSE English 0500 Guide © Writer’s Effect & Language Analysis ABh

Mock IGCSE Question Practice

Now that you have all the tips you need to know to score above 12/15, let’s see how you cope
with an actual full question-response. Good luck!

Text: The Clement Street Soup and Sourdough Restaurant

Lois has moved away from the place where she grew up to work for a company called General
Dexterity (GD) founded by a young businessman called Andrei. The company designs
industry-leading robot arms for factories and needs talented computer-programmers to find
ways to improve what their robots can do.

Day one, Andrei gave a guided tour of the company’s underground base – a cavernous
construction, formerly a car park. Towering rows of robot arms sweeping, grasping and lifting
lined the cement floor. Their plastic cladding was coloured sky-blue, their contours friendly and
capable with just the faintest suggestion of biceps – gentle swells sporting GD’s logo, a
lightning bolt.

These were repetitive gestures, Andrei explained, currently executed by human muscles and
minds. Repetition stifled human creativity, he said. Repetition belonged to robots.

I learned about the software I’d be working on and saw the founder’s original prototype robot
arm, a three-jointed limb taller than me. You could call, ‘Arm, change task. Say hello!’ and it
would wave a wide, eager greeting – unlike my new workmates. Orientation week ended on
Friday night. Then my job began. Not the following Monday. The next morning. Saturday. I had
the feeling of being sucked – floop – into a pneumatic tube.

Programmers at GD were almost exclusively young, distant, cold-eyed wraiths, in identical

denim. They started early in the morning, working past midnight, in a hurry to be done, and
rich. Each week the section manager, Peter, reminded us: We’re on a mission to replace human
labour – work harder.

Programmers often slept at the office. Some nights I’d lie there, staring blankly at the ceiling
and the braids of fibre ferrying data around the office. My parents were far away, locked in the
frame of a video-chat window. I had no friends nearby. There was a knot in my stomach that
wouldn’t loosen. I existed in a state of stupor, brain flaccid, cells gasping. I couldn’t get my
turbine spinning.

It was Peter who’d recommended switching to the meal-replacement, Slurry. ‘It’s what we all
eat,’ he said. At meal times, I sat in a corner of the empty cafeteria and slurped the grey gel.

It would have been Slurry for ‘dinner’ as always, if I hadn’t discovered, stuck to my apartment’s
door, a handwritten menu advertising a local delivery service. I’d just arrived home from work.

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IGCSE English 0500 Guide © Writer’s Effect & Language Analysis ABh

My face felt brittle from stress – this wasn’t unusual. I was already flagging after a single
summer at my new job. I was supposed to be one of the bright new additions, the fresh-faced
ones. My face wasn’t fresh. My hair had gone flat and thin. My stomach hurt.

I wouldn’t normally have been interested, but this menu, written in a dark confident script,
intrigued me. At the top, in exuberant letters, was the restaurant’s name and telephone number.
The menu was compact: Spicy Soup, a Spicy Sandwich or a Combo (double spicy), all of
which, the menu explained in its curling connectors, were vegetarian. The menu charmed me –
as a result, my night, and my life, bent off on a different track.

I called the number. A friendly voice answered, ‘Hello! What can I make for you?’

I ordered the Combo.

Sometime later, my order arrived, delivered by a cheery young man with a heavy, hard-to-place
accent: ‘Good evening, my friend!’ I dug in my pocket for cash, then thought to ask, ‘What kind
of food is this?’

His face beamed. ‘Real food, traditionally made. If you like it, I’ll give you the recipe.’

Sitting on my kitchen countertop – utterly bare in those days, free from any sign of food
preparation – I consumed the first Combo (double spicy) of my life. The healing powers,
physical and psychic, of the spicy soup made traditional noodle soup seem like dishwater. It
was an elixir. The sandwich was spicier still, thin-sliced vegetables slathered with a fluorescent
red sauce, the burn buffered by thick slabs of bread artfully toasted. First my stomach
unclenched, then my brain. I let loose a long sigh that transformed into a rippling burp. I
laughed out loud.

That night, instead of fitfully reviewing the day’s errors, I fell asleep soothed by spicy broth and
dreams of baking that fragrant, fluffy sourdough bread.

Question: Re-read paragraphs 10 and 16.

● Paragraph 10 begins ‘I wouldn’t normally have been interested ...’ and is about Lois’
reaction to the menu.
● Paragraph 16 begins ‘Sitting on my kitchen countertop ’ and gives Lois’ reactions to her
first Combo.
Explain how the writer uses language to convey meaning and to create effect in these
paragraphs. Choose three examples of words or phrases from each paragraph to
support your answer. Your choices should include the use of imagery.
Write about 200 to 300 words.

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💡 Remember to compare and contrast- IGCSE does not explicitly mention it but awards
marks generously if you do so! You can do it between the end of P10 and start of P16.

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END OF HANDOUT

IGCSE/0500/WRITERSEFFECT/WS01

Sources

IGCSE 0500 Past Paper 13/M/J/20 ivy, evermore, Taylor Swift

The Great Gatsby, FS Fitzgerald Rhetoric Guide, University of California Berkeley

The Diary of Anne Frank, Anne Frank Elena in the City, GWa ABh and IYT

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