English Language Exam

Always a web article

Ask yourself:

• What do you learn/understand?
• What is the item saying?
• How is it shown?

What to do:

• Retrieve info from Item 1
• Inferences (interpret what's written)
• Evidence (embedded quotes)
• Be as obvious as possible 
• Look for key themes and ideas

NO ANALYSIS OF LANGUAGE OR PEE STRUCTURE

Examine effects of presentational features and how they link.

Study relationships between:

• headline and text
• image and text (comment on caption if there is one)
• headline, image and text

Ways to explore relationships between features:

• identifying key themes expressed in each feature e.g. theme of travel throughout the article
• type of lexis e.g. military lexis displayed throughout the article in headline + text
• language features e.g. hyperboles, alliteration, repitition, onomatepoeia.etc

How to study the image:

• use of colour, size, angle of image - any dramatic features?
• message/purpose?

Have a strong topic sentence to open your answer with!

How to go about an answer:

• Highlight thoughts and feelings expressed in the piece (thoughts are opinions and feelings are linked to emotions)
• Identify 4 key emotions chronologically as you read through the piece (the examiner looks for an answer that understands the change in emotions as the piece develops)
• Use these 4 emotions as points to illustrate the thought or feeling that has been written
• Each point has to be supported with evidence from the text
• Can write answer in 4 paragraphs, so that you have a point per paragraph with development to create a structure
• Pick evidence that can be analysed for features such as metaphors, similies, repitition, alliteration, sarcasm, irony.etc. 
• If possible state language effect e.g. the use of "demon" highlights how Lomax portrays his torturer as an evil, demonic creature further displaying his resentment towards his past experiences. 
• Analyse the language a little, but no PEE structure
• No conclusion

• Using Item 3 and either Item 1 or 2, with 24 mins to wite and plan
• Analysis of language, so can use the PEARL structure

P OINT  E VIDENCE  A NALYSE  R EADER RESPONSE  L INK (TO NEXT POINT)

• For high marks COMPARE similarities and differences between items

 What to compare:

• Themes - whether they are the same, and how they are presented
• Language features - whether they use same language features or not, effects.etc
• Will get no marks for reffering to type of article, or describing sentence types

Other tips:

• Don't generalise your audience response, say the effect on the reader and what type of reader they are e.g. younger adults 
• Link by themes in your topic sentences (should have a strong topic sentence for each point)
• Back up points with linguistic devices
• Use comparative words e.g. similarly, comparatively, whereas, however, constrastingly.etc

Shorter Writing Task (inform, explain, describe)

• 16 marks + marked for SPAG
• Formal style
• Usually on something personal such as an experience, decision or lifestyle choice
• Decide on a suitable type of audience and write to inform them appropriately
• A point per paragraph with a strong topic sentence informing your audience the theme of the paragraph - Give clear reasons and explanations 
• Use facts and figures (can make them up)
• Use specialist lexis where possible
• Use conenctives
• Use linguistic devices for higher marks e.g. rhetorical questionning, alliteration, short sentences for effect.etc
• For Band 4, use the acronym SAD ELF

S tructured  A udience aware  D eveloped points  E xtensive vocab  L inguistic devices  F ormal

Longer Writing Task (argue and persuade)

• 5 - 10 mins to plan and 25 - 30 mins to write 
• 24 marks + SPAG 
• Formal piece
• Usually a for or against piece on a contoversial topic, past papers have included: extreme sports, global warming.etc
• Choose either for or against, and decide on strongest points
• Divide points into paragraphs to create a clear, logical plan that creates an organised piece - have a structure with linked paragraphing for top marks
• Strong topic sentences needed for each point to introduce theme
• Needs a strong introduction, with either a good topic sentence or linguistic feature such as a rhetorical question
• Aim to incoporate 2-3 language devices in each paragraph for top marks
• Needs to be opinonated, and focused solely on that opinion
• Clear argument with valid reasons
• Use specialist and extensive vocabulary where possible and lots of connectives
• Needs to be 'convincing, compelling and engaging'