Literary Techniques
What is the term for an indirect reference to another work of literature, history, or culture?
Allusion
How much time should you spend planning your Paper 1 response?
Between 10-25 minutes (10 is the minimum and 25 the maximum)
What’s the main goal of a Paper 2 essay?
To compare and contrast two literary works in response to a prompt.
What’s one simple but effective thing you can do during reading time to improve your Paper 1 response?
Annotate the text for key techniques and possible meanings to guide your analysis.
In Persepolis, what is the significance of the veil as a symbol?
It represents oppression, identity, and changing cultural expectations.
This literary device contrasts two opposing ideas or characters.
Juxtaposition
What two key things should you always address in your introduction?
Thesis + a brief mention of context.
What is a comparative thesis, and why is it important?
A thesis that explicitly connects both texts, establishing a clear line of comparison.
What does the acronym TAPLAC stand for, and how can it help in Paper 1 analysis?
Tone, Audience, Purpose, Language, Argument, Context – a tool to organize key areas of analysis.
How does Carol Ann Duffy challenge traditional gender roles in The World’s Wife?
She reinterprets historical and mythological stories from a feminist perspective, giving women a voice.
What is the term for a character’s inner thoughts being revealed to the audience?
Interior monologue or stream of consciousness
Name three aspects of language you should analyze in a Paper 1 commentary.
Tone, diction, imagery, syntax, structure, figurative language
Name two approaches to structuring a comparative Paper 2 response.
Point-by-point structure or whole-text structure
What is one way to show evidenve of good organization in BOTH Paper 1 and Paper 2 essays?
Use clear topic sentences and paragraphing that links back to your thesis throughout.
What role does trauma play in The Things They Carried?
It explores emotional and psychological burdens, memory, and the blurred line between truth and fiction.
What are the three types of irony?
verbal, situational, or dramatic irony
What is the purpose of the guiding questions in a Paper 1 exam?
They help you identify key themes, techniques, and areas of focus for analysis.
What should you include in each body paragraph to ensure a strong comparative analysis?
A clear topic sentence, evidence from both texts, analysis, and direct comparison.
What can you do during the last 5–10 minutes of your exam to improve your overall grade?
Edit for clarity, grammar, and coherence—especially checking thesis alignment and transitions.
In Death and the Maiden, how does the setting contribute to the play’s themes?
The isolated house creates an atmosphere of tension, confinement, and unresolved trauma.
Identify the literary device: “The trees whispered their secrets to the wind.”
Personification
What are some strategies for identifying Paper 1 areas of analysis?
TAPLAC or CAMPS-S
What’s a strategy for choosing the best Paper 2 prompt for your texts?
Pick one that allows for a deep and nuanced comparison based on themes, structure, and authorial choices.
What is a key difference in approach between Paper 1 and Paper 2 that students should be aware of?
Paper 1 is unseen and focused on close reading of a single text, while Paper 2 requires comparative analysis of known texts using thematic and structural connections.
Compare how power and oppression are depicted in Persepolis and Death and the Maiden.
Both works explore authoritarian regimes, personal resistance, and the psychological effects of oppression.