When Your Analysis Starts to Sound the Same
A lot of GCSE English answers look confident on the surface but quietly lose impact as you read on. The ideas are there, the quotes are there - yet something feels flat, repetitive, or overly mechanical. This is one of those issues students rarely notice themselves, but examiners pick up on instantly.
It’s not about working harder or learning more content. It’s about how your thinking comes across on the page.
The short video below breaks down a common habit that makes analysis sound formulaic and shows how a small shift in approach can instantly make your writing feel sharper, more natural, and more exam-ready. It’s a very quick watch and one that can change how every paragraph you write is received.
Skip the "This Shows" Habit: Analyse the Choice, Not the Obvious
One of the most common patterns examiners notice in weaker GCSE English answers is the repeated use of the phrase "this shows".
When every sentence follows the same formula, your analysis can start to sound robotic. Instead of engaging with the language itself, the writing drifts towards stating the obvious.
The mistake: relying on "this shows" rather than analysing the writer's language choices and their effect.
Example: "The writer uses a metaphor. This shows that the character is sad."
The idea may be correct, but the explanation stops too early. It does not explore the metaphor itself, the imagery it creates, or why that particular comparison was chosen.
Stronger answers move beyond formulaic phrases and focus on the detail of the language. They zoom in on specific words, tone, or images and explain how these shape meaning and influence the reader.
This small shift instantly makes your writing sound more thoughtful and controlled, without needing extra quotes or longer paragraphs.
Why This Loses Marks
Overusing "this shows" flattens your analysis and limits how sophisticated it sounds. GCSE examiners are looking for insight into the writer's choices, not repeated sentence starters.
Marks are awarded when you explain why language has been used and how it creates meaning. Moving past obvious conclusions is what separates Grade 6 & 7 answers from Grade 9 ones.
Quick Recap
- Repeating "this shows" makes analysis sound mechanical.
- Focus on the writer's language choices and their effect.
- Detailed language analysis lifts answers into Grade 9 levels.
