How do I improve my essay marks when analysing a text?

Firstly, it is important to remember the key terms of the question. It may be helpful to highlight or underline them when reading the question for the first time. You should make sure to focus on all the key terms, as sometimes the question will ask for a couple of aspects to be addressed such as in this questions: 'Analyze the literary methods used by Shelley to explore the theme of identity.' Firstly you should remember to identify the methods and then how they present the theme of identity. Once you identify the key terms you need to develop each point you make. Identify a method, state it, give an example of this method from the text (usually a quotation) and then be sure to develop this point by unpacking the effect of this method. What does it bring to the text? Why this particular method? How does it engage the reader/audience? Make sure at this point that you deal with the key terms. In relation to the Shelley question, for example, after naming the methods and giving an example, it is necessary to explain how each particular method presents the theme of identity specifically. It helps to use the key terms to explicitly address the question within your answer, to focus your essay.