How to Write a Textual Analysis Essay
in a Few Simple Steps.
THINGS TO KNOW...
THE QUESTION IS ALWAYS SPLIT INTO TWO PARTS;
1. KNOWLEDGE OF TEXT
2. APPLYING ACTING/DIRECTING/DESIGN
CONCEPTS.
EACH SECTION IS WORTH TEN MARKS
EACH SECTION MUST BE EXPLICITY RELATED TO
EACH OTHER – OTHERWISE, NO MARKS
'TEXTUAL REFERENCES' means QUOTE or
DETAILED MOMENT.
“As an actor, describe five strengths
and/or weaknesses of a character
in your selected text.
Explain in detail five acting concepts
you would use to show these in performance.”
“As an actor, describe five strengths and/or weaknesses of a character in your selected text.
Explain in detail five acting concepts you would use to show these in performance.”
INTRO
STEP 1:
ANSWER THE QUESTION
A character who demonstrates strengths/weaknesses in ‘The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart’ is…
STEP 2:
EXPLAIN WHAT “STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES” MEANS
A strength is a good or beneficial quality or attribute of a person/A weakness is a negative attribute, such as a disadvantage or
fault.
STEP 3:
BREAK THAT DOWN INTO 5 DIFFERENT SUB ELEMENTS TO GIVE YOU THE
PARAGRAPH TOPICS.
Strengths identified in ? are … OR weaknesses identified in ? are… OR a mix of both.
STEP 4:
TIE IT ALL BACK TO THE ACTING/DIRECTING PART OF THE QUESTION
All areas which are interesting to explore as an actor
EXAMPLE INTRO
A character who demonstrates strengths/weaknesses
in ‘The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart’ is
Prudencia, the title character.
A strength is a good or beneficial quality or attribute
of a person/a weakness is a disadvantage or fault.
We see strength in Pru’s character in traits such as...
However, Pru is also … which could be described as
negative traits or weaknesses.
Such character traits would be interesting to explore
as an actor.
PART ONE; KNOWLEDGE OF TEXT
REMEMBER THIS IS WORTH TEN MARKS
1 MARK PER RELEVANT POINT – YOU MUST
MAKE FIVE POINTS, AS ASKED IN THE
QUESTION
YOU CAN DOUBLE THE MARK IF YOUR
POINT IS SUPER JAZZY IE. DETAILED AND
INSIGHTFUL
Paragraph one
where
Quote/detailed
moment
Explain how
One
mark
Opening sentence
explains the
paragraph topic.
Firstly, Pru shows strength in (choose
one from opening paragraph)
…
EXTRA DETAILED DEVELOPMENT
SQA MARKING GUIDELINES SAY YOU MAY COMMENT ON ANY OF THE FOLLOWING;
Character motivation
(What do they want/strive for? How does this show strength/weakness?)
Character development
(How does the character progress throughout the play? When do we see strength/weakness?)
Character relationships
(How do their relationships with other characters demonstrate strength/weakness?)
Character interaction
(How does the way in which they behave with other characters demonstrate
strength/weakness?)
Plot
Themes and issues
(Are they connected to any vital themes? How does this represent strength/weakness?)
Any other relevant features
PART TWO; APPLYING ACTING/DIRECTING/DESIGN
CONCEPTS
AGAIN, THIS IS WORTH TEN MARKS - 1 MARK PER RELEVANT POINT,
DOUBLE MARKS IF YOUR POINT IS SUPER JAZZY
REMEMBER THE MAGIC FORMULA;
I WOULD USE... (VOCAB WORD) WHEN... (MOMENT) TO SHOW
THAT... (JUSTIFICATION)
THESE POINTS MUST BE RELATED TO THE POINTS YOU MADE IN
PART ONE SO IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO LINK THEM LIKE THIS...
Paragraph one – developed to incorporate
answer to part two
where
quote
Explain how
One
mark
Opening sentence
explains the
paragraph topic.
One
mark
Firstly, Pru shows strength in (choose
one from opening paragraph)
……
How you would
act a la Nat 5
(magic formula)
As an actor I
would use ….. To
show that….
IF SUPER AWESOME - WITH SNAZZY VOCAB, CLEAR DESCRIPTION AND VALID
JUSTIFICATION, WITH QUOTES - THIS ONE PARAGRAPH CAN POTENTIALLY EARN YOU 4
MARKS.
FOR PART TWO, SQA MARKING GUIDELINES SAY YOU MAY COMMENT ON ANY OF THE
FOLLOWING;
•
•
•
•
•
Characterisation
Acting techniques
Acting style
Stage proxemics
Interaction between
characters
• Use of voice and movement
• The relationship between the
spoken text and physical
movement or gesture
• Actor/ audience relationship
• Any other relevant features
SO YOU COULD TALK ABOUT…
How the actor would use voice or movement to show strength/weakness
How the actor would interact with other characters to show strength/weakness
How the actor would interact with the audience to show strength/weakness
How the actor would use the space to show strength/weakness
How the actor would use their costume to show strength/weakness
How the actor would use props to show strength/weakness
How the actor would use make-up to show strength/weakness
VOCAB IS KEY!!!
NAT 5 VOCAB
STILL APPLIES!
VOICE
Articulation
Fluency
Intonation
Register
Clarity
Pause
Pitch
Accent
Pace
Timing
Tone
Volume
Emphasis
MOVEMENT
Stance
Balance
Body Language
Gesture
Facial Expression
Mime
Posture
Pace
Timing
Slow Motion
Blocking
Masking
CONVENTIONS
alternative ways of presenting all or parts of a presentation
Slow motion
Tableau (C) / Frozen Picture (F)
Freeze Frame –action frozen in time
Soliloquy
Flashback/flash forward
Narration
Voice Over( recorded speech played during a drama)/
Voice in Head (recall words said by others about a character or
situation)
Mime
Monologue
soliloquy
OTHER ACTING TECHNIQUES
Aside- to audience only
Stage whisper
Masks
stereotype
CHARACTERISATION
- the process of developing a character fully
Character
Role Play
-exploring attitudes and beliefs
Thought Tracking
- when prompted the character says their thoughts out loud
Voice in the Head
Writing in Role
Hot Seating
Thought Tunnel
-character walks past other characters.
Those other characters speak their thoughts outloud
usually about the character walking past.
Lighting
Follow Spot
Profile Spot
Fresnel
Flood Light
(gauze)
Barn Doors
Gobo
Gel
Pyrotechnics
Focusing (the lights)
Black out
Slow fade
Cross fade
Snap-to
Sound
Sound cue
Cross fade
Recorded voice over
Set
Back cloth
Cyclorama
Gauze
Flies
Door Flats
Window Flats
Flats
Scenery
Trapdoor
Rostra
Treads
Truck
Wings
Backstage
Staging
Venue
Thrust
Theatre in the round
End on
Proscenium Arch
Avenue
Auditorium
Revolving Stage
Ground plan
Key
Rake
Enter/exit
Audience
Sight lines
Stage Directions
Stalls, balcony, dress circle
Props
objects used by actors
Personal Prop
Set prop
Costume
Period Costume
Write in super detail for full
marks
Make Up
liners
Wax/nose putty
Crepe hair
Fake blood
Latex
Spirit gum
Makeup pallets
Stipple sponge
Scarring
Skull cap
Tooth varnish
HIGHER WORDS TO USE TO SOUND COOLER THAN YOU REALLY ARE
C
A
Central Character
Complex Character
Important Character
Minor Character
Main Character
Pivotal Character
Characterisation
Character Behaviour
Character Motivation
Character Development
Character Interaction
Relationships between Character
Acting Style
Actor/Audience
Relationship
G
Given Circumstances
Ground Plans
K
Key Scene
Key Moment
M
Message
Mood
S
Set
Setting
Site Specific Theatre
Special Effects
Textual Evidence
Traditional Theatre
Special Effects
Stage Imagery
Status
Stimulus
Subtext
Symbols and Imagery
U
Use of
levels
REPEAT THIS WHOLE PROCESS FOR
EACH STRENGTH/WEAKNESS
IDENITIFED IN YOUR OPENING
PARAGRAPH.
YOU SHOULD THEREFORE ALWAYS
HAVE FIVE PARAGRAPHS IN ANSWER
TO THE QUESTION.
Paragraph two, three, four and five – repeat the process
where
quote
Explain how
One
mark
Opening sentence
explains the
paragraph topic.
Pru also shows strength through….
One
mark
How you would
act a la
standard grade.
As an actor I
would ….. To
show….
CONCLUDE WITH CLOSING PARAGRAPH
STEP ONE:
RELIST YOUR DEFINITION
A strength is a good or beneficial quality or attribute of a person/A weakness is a negative
attribute, such as a disadvantage or fault.
STEP TWO:
RELIST YOUR PARAGRAPH TOPICS
STEP THREE:
RELIST YOUR FIRST STATEMENT
Therefore, as I have shown through the text and my choices for my portrayal of this
character, Prudencia is a character who shows strength/weakness.
A strength is a good or beneficial
quality or attribute of a person/a
weakness is a disadvantage or fault.
Through out the play we see Prudencia
demonstrate strengths through … and
weakness through ...
Therefore, as I have shown through the
text and my choices for my portrayal of
this character, Prudencia is a character
of both strength and weakness.