How should I tackle an essay question based on an extract to achieve top marks?

When considering extracts from literature, it is essential to focus on the overall concept that the author wants to convey. This may be identified as the main theme of the text which will guide our interpretation. Once this has been identified it must be assessed through the extract's use of imagery and figures of speech. These are extremely common and shape the ideas conveyed to the reader through the passage. It is essential to understand what effect these have and why the author choice to rely on them. Furthermore, our analysis must focus also on an assessment of secondary themes in order to comprehend over significant messages. These usually extend from the main theme and may rely on different figures of speech or imagery to devise a different interpretation. This is a challenging process but nonetheless an interesting one which can lead to a deeper appreciation of the extract we consider.