How do we analyse quotes instead of just explaining them? (Unpacking the IQTVE method)

One of the most common issues with essay writing is “storytelling” rather than “analysing” a quote properly. So how exactly do you combat this? The simplest way is to abide by the IQTVE structure so you aren’t tempted to simply translate or retell what the quote means. At school, you probably would have heard of the PEEL or PETAL or STEEL or IQTVE structures. They are all essentially the same concept ie you need a technique, quote and analysis/ explanation for each quote. Here, we will go through the IQTVE structure as it is the most detailed structure.

I- idea (state your idea in a few words)

Q- quote (insert your quote and potentially contextualise it too)

T- technique

V- verb (this is your analytical verb)

E- explanation/ evaluation (this is your analysis + your evaluation on the impact on the audience)

Aim to have all elements of IQTVE in one sentence each time. The maximum number of sentences you should use per example is 2 sentences.

It is important to “step outside of the text”. This means that rather than analysing just the text itself and what the character is saying, you must think about what the AUTHOR is doing. The author is the one constructing the characters. You also need to evaluate the effect on the audience eg “confronts the audience” or “inspires the audience” or “prompts the audiences to recognise” or “evokes the audience’s sympathy” etc.  

A sample sentence would be: Atwood highlights how religion is misappropriated to suppress women (IDEA), where their reproductive role in society is ironically (TECHNIQUE) compared to “white wings” of angels which “keep us from seeing, but also from being seen,” (QUOTE) using polyptoton (TECHNIQUE) to illustrate (VERB) the systemic nature of limiting their interactions with the world (EFFECT), confronting (VERB IN PRESENT CONTINUOUS) the audience (LINK TO AUDIENCE) with how manipulated ideologies normalise female suppression (EVALUATION).

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