I keep gettig good marks for interpretation on my papers, but not analysis. What's the difference between them?

You can think of interpretation as what a text is saying, and analysis as how the text is saying what it's saying. If you're getting good marks for interpretation you're probably seeing what the texts is saying in terms of themes or implicit arguments. By focusing on close reading and the use of literary devices such as metaphor, metonym and imagery, how the text is saying what it's saying, and linking this to your interpretation you can achieve better marks on your papers. If an author is employing a literary device, they are usually doing so for a reason. Analysis involves looking at literary devices, mood and diction to determine how the author is communicating with the reader.
Begine your paragraphs with a thesis statement, this should be your interpetation. Start out by stating what the meaning of the text is and follow this up with evidence from the text. The evidence should be based on close reading and the context of the text. This is your analysis. End your paragraph with a sentence which links the evidence you've presented to the meaning of the text.

AW
Answered by Alexander W. English Literature tutor

2467 Views

See similar English Literature IB tutors

Related English Literature IB answers

All answers ▸

How does the role of the narrator influence a text's contents? Analyse the role of the narrator and his/her influence on the given work's interior meaning and subject matter.


How do I answer a question about the presentation of something, like the Ghost in 'Hamlet'?


How does Samuel Beckett portray the meaninglessness of life through the use of repetition in Waiting For Godot?


How do I analyse an unseen piece of drama or prose?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning