Analysing conceptually

[JoyMaalouf]

I was speaking to an English teacher and she says that when marking exams students rarely analyse their texts conceptually.

So I was wondering, how do you analyse a text conceptually without getting distracted by the literal things? And how would I incorporate this into an essay?

Thanks!

[Lumenoria]

Well, you centralise your analysis as evidence to support your conceptual ideas instead of the other way around. Usually, you'd bring forth a general statement that is applicable to life in general, then use quotes/techniques from the text to reinforce that idea within that specific context to back up your generalised argument. Only use quotes if they have a significant connection with your generalised concept. Personally, I would include a quote, explain what it portrays about the persona within the text, THEN link the idea expressed within the portrayal of the persona to the generalised concept. I've found that people usually ace the part about clarifying what the quote conveys about the persona within the context, but they fail to explain how that links to the generalised concept - which is actually the most important part. Hope this helps.

[JoyMaalouf]

Well, you centralise your analysis as evidence to support your conceptual ideas instead of the other way around. Usually, you'd bring forth a general statement that is applicable to life in general, then use quotes/techniques from the text to reinforce that idea within that specific context to back up your generalised argument. Only use quotes if they have a significant connection with your generalised concept. Personally, I would include a quote, explain what it portrays about the persona within the text, THEN link the idea expressed within the portrayal of the persona to the generalised concept. I've found that people usually ace the part about clarifying what the quote conveys about the persona within the context, but they fail to explain how that links to the generalised concept - which is actually the most important part. Hope this helps.

I've just seen this reply THANK YOU SO MUCH this helps a tonne

[Wales]

I've just seen this reply THANK YOU SO MUCH this helps a tonne

You should start off by recognising and understanding the concepts supported by your text.

For example, in Richard III I may have a paragraph dedicated to conscience, another to power and the last to divinity. Then go select evidence for the concepts. Drawing up a table would definitely help!

What texts are you studying? Perhaps we can help you with understanding certain concepts!

[bowiemily]

You should start off by recognising and understanding the concepts supported by your text.

For example, in Richard III I may have a paragraph dedicated to conscience, another to power and the last to divinity. Then go select evidence for the concepts. Drawing up a table would definitely help!

What texts are you studying? Perhaps we can help you with understanding certain concepts!

Totally agree! My paragraphs would always have a conceptual theme as a focus (ie. authority), and then I would prove that my text contributes to our understanding of this theme. For example (to steal Wales' example, ily), Richard III is important as it teaches us that authority does not connote integrity. We should be skeptical of it, and how we distort authority in our own lives, for our own selfish benefit.

[JoyMaalouf]

You should start off by recognising and understanding the concepts supported by your text.

For example, in Richard III I may have a paragraph dedicated to conscience, another to power and the last to divinity. Then go select evidence for the concepts. Drawing up a table would definitely help!

What texts are you studying? Perhaps we can help you with understanding certain concepts!

Hey thanks for the help! The texts I am studying and struggling with are The T.S Eliot poems (prufrock, rhapsody, hollow men, magi, and preludes)

I'm also struggling with writing about The art of travel, however we haven't really covered this text much in class yet

For T.S Eliot I've created a document with the key themes (despair, isolation, alienation, decay) and added quotes to support these however when I write an exam my teachers alway tell me my writing isn't conceptual enough so I think my analysis of the quotes aren't as they should be! I posted this a few weeks ago and I've worked on my analysis for the quotes and since then done my trials so I'm just waiting for my mark and comments back

I think I should create a proper table as you've suggested and try again!

[Wales]

Hey thanks for the help! The texts I am studying and struggling with are The T.S Eliot poems (prufrock, rhapsody, hollow men, magi, and preludes)

I'm also struggling with writing about The art of travel, however we haven't really covered this text much in class yet

For T.S Eliot I've created a document with the key themes (despair, isolation, alienation, decay) and added quotes to support these however when I write an exam my teachers alway tell me my writing isn't conceptual enough so I think my analysis of the quotes aren't as they should be! I posted this a few weeks ago and I've worked on my analysis for the quotes and since then done my trials so I'm just waiting for my mark and comments back

I think I should create a proper table as you've suggested and try again!

Ah sorry I'm unable to help with T.S Eliot ( Thought I wish our school studied them ) Perhaps the notes section may have some handy notes or one who's studied it can offer some concepts!

I would definitely suggest creating a table and planning from there. It's a fantastic starting point and would definitely allow you to group your concepts and pick out anything you don't see fit.

Feel free to post any paragraphs in the essay marking forum and either me or the essay marking staff would be glad to mark it! Also feel free to message me if you require any assistance and I'll do what I can to help!

Goodluck~

Regards, Wales