Grade 9 Phrases to Instantly Upgrade Your Essays

Want your English essays to stand out? The difference between a Grade 7 and Grade 9 often comes down to precise, sophisticated language. At JP Tutors Hub, we've analysed hundreds of top-scoring responses to bring you the 15 most powerful phrases that'll transform your analysis from basic to brilliant.

 

Why Word Choice Matters

Examiners read thousands of essays. Using vivid, precise language shows you're thinking critically and engaging deeply with the text. These phrases will help you:
✔ Sound more authoritative
✔ Analyse with precision
✔ Demonstrate higher-level thinking

 

The Upgrade Your Writing Needs

1. Instead of "[Character] says..."

"Shakespeare unleashes Mercutio's wit when he taunts, 'A plague o' both your houses!'"
"Priestley deploys Mrs. Birling to assert her superiority: 'Girls of that class—'"

Why it works: Stronger verbs reveal how characters speak and the writer's intent.

 

2. Instead of "[Writer] suggests..."

"Dickens masterfully parallels Scrooge's transformation with..."
"Priestley strategically juxtaposes Birling's capitalism with..."

Why it works: Shows you understand craftsmanship behind the text.

 

3. Instead of "This shows..."

"The recurring motif of blood epitomises Macbeth's irreversible guilt."
"The Inspector's final speech encapsulates Priestley's socialist vision."

Why it works: Demonstrates deeper analysis of writer's techniques.

 

Pro Tip: Pair Phrases with Analysis

Don't just swap words—use them to deepen your argument:

"Shakespeare orchestrates Lady Macbeth's 'unsex me here' as a blasphemous inversion of Jacobean gender norms, conjuring horror in audiences while foreshadowing her psychological unraveling."

 

Putting It Into Practice

Try upgrading this basic analysis:

"Romeo says he's in love with Juliet. This shows he's impulsive."

"Shakespeare paints Romeo as volatile when he professes, 'Did my heart love till now?'—underscoring his reckless idealism through hyperbolic devotion that foreshadows their tragedy."

 

Want More Grade 9 Examples?

This is just a sneak peek! Our Ultimate Essay Writing Bundle includes:
✅ Model paragraphs for all major texts
✅ Technique banks with high-level vocabulary
✅ Examiner tips to avoid common mistakes

Download yours today and start writing like a top-grade student!

 

P.S. Struggling with analysis or quotes? Our text-specific cheat sheets break down An Inspector Calls, A Christmas Carol, and more into Grade 9-ready notes.

Why JP Tutors Hub?

Founded by a straight-A student, our resources are:
✨ Exam-board aligned
✨ Used by thousands of GCSE students
✨ Designed to save you time and boost marks

Follow us for more free tips—or visit our shop to upgrade your revision! 🚀