Overview
For Cambridge Cambridge command words, answering an 'analyse' question requires you to do more than just describe a topic; you must break it down into its essential parts and examine them in detail to reveal something new. The goal is to show the examiner you understand the complex relationships between these parts, such as their causes, effects, or underlying assumptions. Many students lose marks by simply stating facts or offering a running commentary, failing to provide the deeper deconstruction that the command word analyse demands.
Unpack the Question's Focus
For Cambridge Cambridge command words, before you begin to formulate your answer, your first job is to become a detective. Read the question several times and identify its precise scope. Underline not only the command word 'analyse' but also the specific subject of the analysis—is it a theory, a data set, a literary character's motivation, or a historical event? If you are given a source, your analysis must be grounded in that specific material. Misinterpreting the focus is a common and costly error; you cannot earn marks for a brilliant analysis of the wrong thing.
Deconstruct, Don't Just Describe
For Cambridge Cambridge command words, description states what something is; analysis explains how and why it is that way by breaking it down into its components and showing how they work together. Imagine you have a bicycle. A descriptive answer would say, "The bicycle has wheels, a frame, pedals, and handlebars." An analytical answer would say, "The pedals are connected to a chain, which turns the rear wheel; this mechanism converts the rider's circular motion into forward momentum, while the handlebars provide directional control by turning the front wheel." This process of deconstruction is central to many [Cambridge command words explained](/blog/cambridge-command-words-explained), but it is the absolute heart of analysis.
Use Evidence as a Tool for Analysis
For Cambridge Cambridge command words, evidence—whether it's a quote, a statistic, or an observation—is the raw material for your analysis, not the finished product. A weak answer simply presents evidence and expects it to speak for itself. A strong analytical answer uses evidence as a springboard. After presenting a piece of evidence, you must explicitly explain what it shows, why it's significant, and how it supports your breakdown of the topic. Ask yourself: "What does this piece of data *imply*? What does this quote *reveal* about the underlying theme?"
Structure Your Analysis Logically
For Cambridge Cambridge command words, a strong analytical answer follows a clear, logical path that is easy for the examiner to follow. For each point you make, aim for a 'Point -> Breakdown -> Consequence' structure. Start by stating your analytical point clearly (e.g., "A key factor contributing to the system's instability is..."). Then, break that factor down into its components or provide evidence. Finally, explain the consequence or link it to the wider question ("This instability leads to... which ultimately affects..."). For longer questions, your paragraphs should be self-contained analytical units that build on one another to form a cohesive argument.
Connect Your Points with Analytical Language
For Cambridge Cambridge command words, your job is to act as a guide, showing the examiner the hidden links between different pieces of information. Use your own language to make these connections explicit and unavoidable. Employ transitional phrases that signal analytical thought: "This is significant because...", "A direct consequence of this is...", "This factor reveals an underlying tension between X and Y...", or "The primary cause can be traced back to...". These phrases are the scaffolding of your argument, making your reasoning visible and robust.
Match Your Points to the Marks
For Cambridge Cambridge command words, the mark tariff is a crucial clue about the expected depth and breadth of your answer. A 6-mark 'analyse' question expects more than a single, brief point; it likely requires two or three well-developed analytical strands. A 'developed point' is not just a new sentence; it is a complete chain of reasoning (Point -> Breakdown -> Consequence). As a rule of thumb, plan for one such distinct, developed point for every 2-3 marks available. After writing, it's good practice to [mark your answer](/mark) and ask: "Have I provided enough distinct chains of analysis to justify the full marks?"
Frequently asked questions
This section covers Frequently asked questions — ranked by what Cambridge examiners return to most often in past papers.
How is 'analyse' different from 'explain'?
'Explain' requires you to make a topic clear by giving reasons and details, answering 'why' or 'how'. 'Analyse' is a higher-order skill; it demands you first deconstruct the topic into its constituent parts and then examine the relationships between those parts, exploring causes, effects, and underlying structures.
Do I need a conclusion for an 'analyse' question?
For most short-answer 'analyse' questions (e.g., up to 6-8 marks), a formal conclusion is not necessary and can waste valuable time. Your focus should be on developing distinct analytical points. For longer, essay-style questions, a brief concluding sentence that synthesises the main relationships you have uncovered can be a powerful way to finish.
Can I use a P.E.E. (Point, Evidence, Explain) structure?
Yes, P.E.E. is an excellent foundation, but for analysis, you must elevate the 'Explain' component. A better model is P.E.E.L. (Point, Evidence, Explain, Link). The 'Link' is the crucial analytical step where you connect your point back to the question, showing its significance or its relationship to other factors.