The B.A.S.I.C.

S of Investigating texts and text extracts

Responding to written texts (Prose or poetry) is a challenging task. This is because the form of your response will differ, from formal analytical essay s to passage analyses or even more creative expository or persuasive discussions which aim to explore a particular idea that is explored in the text. With this in mind you need to ensure that you have an excellent understanding of the things that you read. To effectively process all of the necessary material this you must develop your reading skills, a system for annotating or recording information from the text and the different requirements of the writing styles mentioned above. Put simply, you need to start with the B.A.S.I.C.S This, and other acronyms like it, provide a useful tool for summarizing the key elements of a text in readiness for writing about it. So, what are the B.A.S.I.C.S

(B) ackground
Who wrote the text? Is it similar or different to their other works? Does it pick up similar ideas to these other works? Is the text part of a sequence or series? Who was the text written for? What is the text about? When was the text written? Does it pick up any historical events or ideas of the time? Where was the text written/released? Why was it written? What are the underlying themes or messages?

(A) ction
What happens in the story? Who is the narrator? What narrative voice do they employ? (1st person, 3rd person) Is the action narrated in present tense or past tense? What has happened before the events of the story, What happens later?

(S) etting
SBK 2011

Where is the story set? How does the setting effect or change the action in any way? Is the setting significant for some other reason? Is the setting symbolic in any way?

(I) deas
What issues ideas does the text pick up or promote? Does the text have a message or purpose? Does the text include any symbols or metaphors?

(C) haracters
Does a character narrate the action? Are they part of the story (1st person) or removed from it (3rd person or Omniscient which means all seeing or knowing) Who are the central characters/protagonists? Who else appears in the story and what are their roles in relation to the central characters? (Secondary characters/ antagonists) Are the characters flat/ static (Unrealistic, unchanging) or round/ dynamic (Realistic, developed) For each of the main characters What personal issues or crises do they face? Are these resolved? Positively or Negatively?

(S) tyle
What do you notice about the words that the writer has chosen to narrate the story? Is this diction simple or complex? Are technical or scientific or archaic words used? Are there words, or types of word, that reoccur? Is there a particular tone or overall mood to the writing? Is the tone/ style/ mood consistent or does it change? How long are the sentences? Does this change? What is the effect of sentence length? (Short sentences raise pace and tension) Are there patterns or repeated images? For example, are there words that suggest darkness or light?

SBK 2011