Useful language material

I) How to write an introductory sentence of a summary

- This passage/extract from ... deals with .../is concerned with ...
- The problem of ... forms the central theme/ is the dominant topic.
- The writer is prinipally concerned with/ interested in the presentation of ...

II) How to write the analysis

Character
- X appears to be a stubborn/condescending/timid/talkative/inert ... character.
- Y seems to be an open-minded/tolerant/passive/solitary ... character.
- X stands in contrast to Y/forms a contrast to Y.
- X appears in a new light when ...
- X is characterized by his dry humor/narrow-minded attitude ...
- X comes across as a conceited/... character.
- He/she shows a quick intelligence when...

Point of view
- The passage is presented from an omniscient/a limited point of view.
- The story is told as witnessed by the main character/minor participant in the action.
- The events are portrayed from the point of view of a third-person/first-person narrator.
- The events are portrayed from the point of view of a single character.
- The narrator tells the story from a remote standpoint/knows the meaning of the events/gives a distorted view of the events.
- The author uses X as a focus/as a centre of consciousness.

Mode of presentation
- The narrator uses the mode of telling/showing at this point and employs a dramatic method here.
- He presents this passage as a combination of telling and showing.
- He makes use of of several narrative methods.
- He shifts the focus from telling to showing when ...
- The writer employs telling to establish a comprehensive view...
- He inserts showing for intense moments...

Theme
- The passage is a study of ... In this way it mirrors the conflict/theme of the whole novel.
- The aspect illustrated here is ...
- The problem of ... forms the central theme/ist he the dominant topic.
- The conflict seems insoluble at this point.

Language
- The author uses/makes use of employs ... as a metaphor/symbol to show/demonstrate/illustrate ...
- The author reports her view in a mixture of longer and shorter sentences.
- He/she changes to short sentences to arouse a dramatic effect.
- An instance of accumulation/enumeration can be traced in ll. ...
- The author has enumerated a string of negative/positive impressions of ... This underlines/emphasizes ...
- The text provides examples of hyperbole./ The use of hyperbole helps the writer in this section to draw attention to the point he is making.
- Irony is employed here to make fun of .../to ridicule ...
- He/she makes ironic comments on ...
- The passage is written in a humorous tone.