How should I tackle an unseen piece of text in an exam?

-Read through three times.

-Identify the form of the text. Is it prose? Is it a poem? Is it an advert? Is it even a picture?

-From this point attack the text depending on what form it is in.

-If poem identify form (sonnet, free verse etc). Then identify poetic techniques from meter, to language.

-If prose identify key features such as narrative voice, language and metaphor.

-Use these literary techniques you have found to form meaning from the text. Once a meaning has been found use this as the basis of your essays argument and use the techniques as evidence.