⚠️ Three Habits That Keep You at Level 3

⚠️ Three Habits That Keep You at Level 3

Habit 1: Saving evaluation for the end

“The writer uses dark imagery. The word ‘shadow’ creates menace. This is very effective.” The evaluation word appears, but as a conclusion to a description paragraph rather than woven into it. AQA rewards evaluation that is embedded in the analysis of each technique, not stapled on afterwards. Fix: evaluate as you analyse each move — “the writer skilfully selects ‘shadow’ because [reason]”, not “shadow creates menace. This is effective.”

Habit 2: Stacking praise words

“This is a very powerful, highly effective, incredibly impactful piece of writing.” Stacking adjectives is not evaluation — it is enthusiasm without argument. An evaluation verb earns its place only when it is followed by the specific craft decision that made the technique work. One well-reasoned “skilfully” beats five orphaned “very powerful”s every time.

Habit 3: Mistaking the general for the specific

“The writer successfully creates comedy throughout the passage.” The evaluation verb is present. The claim is general. Level 4 requires you to evaluate a specific technique in a specific moment: why did that particular word choice, structural decision, or image succeed at that point? The examiner needs to see that you understand the craft mechanism, not just that you liked the result.