These notes written by Patricia Duncker are aimed at teachers of English, primarily taught as a second language, but at an advanced level, and are designed to provide a structure for classwork.

I have arranged the notes as follows:

General introduction: This brief paragraph provides a short critical introduction to the piece of writing under discussion and a general context. I may consider the significance of the theme or content of the piece in relation to other works by the same writer or other writers.

Questions to consider: These can be used as discussion points in the class or as questions for writing projects aimed at more advanced students interested in critical analysis. The questions address issues of language, form, genre, register, method and technique.

Writing exercises: These can either be set as homework or used as class writing exercises. Some address the piece directly and others use the extract or finished piece under consideration as a point of departure for further creative writing. Thus the notes can provide a framework for literary analysis or original composition.