For language analysis, my teacher told us to focus our topic sentences on the intended effect on the audience, rather than an argument, as it'd help centre our piece towards the effect on the audience rather than recounting the article. Would you recommend using this formula, even though I don't think I have much of a problem with retelling the article? Would high scoring students use this formula?
As Lear suggested, it is much more intuitive to frame your paragraph around a central argument. While the main purpose of argument analysis is to analyse the intended effect on the audience, students must first be aware of the argument (and language choices used to articulate this argument) that seeks to kindle a reaction in audiences. A nice method to follow is this:
Topic Sentence- What is the main argument? (You may decide to couple this with an accompanying technique, which bolsters the argument)
Next Sentence- Evidence (how this language is working to achieve an intended audience effect)
Sentences to follow- Repeat
Linking Sentence- What is the relevance of this argument in relation to the contention?
So ultimately, the audience effect is your 'homing point.' Try and always link your analysis to this, but frame your paragraph around the development of the argument itself.