Learn the 3-Step Method
1Zoom in on the chosen word.
‘Crept’ — what kind of movement is creeping? Slow, quiet, secretive.
2Compare with a plain swap.
‘Fog went through the streets’ loses the menace — the choice DID something.
3Name the effect on the reader.
It makes the fog feel alive and threatening; the reader feels uneasy.
Worked Example
‘The waves smashed against the tiny boat.’ Why did the writer choose ‘smashed’?
Watch Out! Common Mistakes
Not a dictionary! ‘Smashed means hit hard’ only defines. Say what it suggests and how the reader feels.
Too vague! Every word ‘makes it interesting’. Name the specific feeling: menace, speed, fragility, unease.
Words hunt in packs! ‘Smashed’ works with ‘tiny’ — power against fragility. Spot the pairing for the best answers.
⬇ Cheat Sheet
- Zoom in: what does the chosen word literally do?
- Compare with a plain alternative.
- Chain it: word → suggests → reader feels.
- Look for team-mate words amplifying the effect.
📖 Continue Your Journey
Quick summary
- Analyse the chosen word against a plain alternative to see what it adds.
- Chain the answer: the word → what it suggests → how the reader feels.
- Avoid vague claims like 'it makes it interesting' — name the feeling.
- Spot team-mate words that amplify the effect.
Frequently asked questions
How do you answer 'why did the writer use this word?'
With the three-link chain: state what the word suggests and what it makes the reader feel — 'crept suggests slow, sneaky movement, making the fog feel like an intruder.'
What loses marks on effect questions?
Defining the word instead of analysing it, and vague effects like 'it's more interesting'. Specific feelings — menace, tension, pity — score.
Where does this skill appear?
KS2 SATs content-domain 2G, 11+ comprehension, and it's the foundation of GCSE English analysis later.
Continue your child's learning journey
with the MindBlaze app.
Fun daily learning missions for children. Clear progress insights for parents — helping every child start secondary school ready to learn.
