Visual techniques are pretty easy - tone, perspective, shape, colour, etc...
Textual techniques are even easier - remember your basic literacy skills (repetition, alliteration, assonance, simile, metaphor).
The choice of words used is also important. If you see the word "me/my/I" (or any first person word) drag the shit out of that word. Its either a manifestation of the author's personal obsession, or a reflection of their anguish as a result of identifying them self with something else (chose based on the tone of the piece).
Similar, the use of the word "they" instead of actually naming the object/person is pretty interesting.
Colourful language = happy mood. If there is no language used to express an object, mention it...
I think english is mostly about bullshitting the marker into thinking you know something that everyone else thinks they know.