How do I do close linguistic analysis effectively?

Because the texts that you can be offered in the exam can be quite varied, the golden rule of doing effective linguistic analysis is to start with the words and to not be distracted by any accompanying visuals, such as images and typeface. First, consider the lexical, word-level choices that the text-producer has made. What are kind of lexical field do the words fall into? Do any specific lexical choices in the text jump out at you? Why do these choices jump out at you and why do you think the text producer made that choice? Are persuasive devices like simile or metaphor used? Next, consider the grammar of the text. How are the sentences (if there are any sentences in the text) constructed? Does the text use active or passive constructions? What tense and voice does the text use? Are any grammatical rules flouted? If so, what effect does this have on the reader?Then, consider any pragmatic aspects or implications of the text. Reading the text's provenance is key to doing this effectively! What is the purpose of the text? Who is the intended audience of the text? In what situation is the audience going to be interacting with the text? Why would they be reading the text? Subsequently, do the lexical and grammatical choices in the text render it appropriate or inappropriate for the context in which it will be read? Are any extra-textual allusions made? What effect does this have?Finally, if you've so far managed to avoid the enticing trap of focusing on the visual aspects of the text, you can now focus on these, but remembering to bear in mind all of the previously asked questions. The most important thing when talking about images and typeface in a text is to use points made about visuals is to use them to supplement points made about the language. If you picked out specific lexis or grammar in the text, how do the images supplement this? Can you identify how the images and typeface support the language in rendering the text context appropriate/inappropriate? Does the visual layout of the text make it more accessible or inaccessible? By asking yourself a combination of some or all of these questions about any given text, you will be able to write about what and who the text is for, and use world-level analysis to help argue how the text attempts to achieve its purpose.