The most important point is always to deal with the heart of the extract. Unless your answer is centred around an analysis of the gobbet itself, anything else you say will remain irrelevant
Following these steps:
1) Read through item carefully and repeatedly
2) Place in its historical context. What is its general nature and purpose? Is it official or unofficial? Who was the author and by whom was it intended to be read or heard? What circumstances caused it to be written or spoken? What effects did it have?
3) Expound the main points of the gobbet, making its meaning absolutely clear. Classify your exposition, if necessary. Explain any technical, obsolete or unusual words or expressions.
4) Comment on the significance of the extract. Does it mark the beginning or end of some constitutional process? Does it resemble or differ from other sources on the subject?
5) How effective are the arguments expounded in the gobbet? What is the author trying to achieve, by what means, and with what success? Is the intention to bring about or prevent change? Might any of the arguments have had more force at the time of writing or speaking than they would have today? If so, why?
6) Indicate, no matter how briefly, whatever social, cultural, economic, political or constitutional implications are contained in the extract, and the consequences of the action or policy.
