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You are given 5 minutes before the extract is read to carefully read and internalize the questions that have been presented to you. The extract will be read to you twice, it is advised to scribble down some pointers to help you remember key things about the extract and notes to help you with your answers while the extract is being read the first time. The second time it is read, you are carefully internalizing the passage itself. Listen for literary devices and figures of speech and make note of them. 20 minutes will be given to you to fully answer the four questions you have been given.
(b) If part (a) asked for identification of devices, you will be asked to give examples of them. 3. If previously asked about the devices, or figures of speech you will be asked to comment on the effectiveness of one or more of them on helping the speaker achieve their purpose or point. 4. The fourth question is variable and can range from identification of emotions in the extract to physical descriptions.
Verbal Irony (sarcasm is the tone of voice/writing) The contrast between what is said and what is actually meant. For example, He did an excellent job of making a mess. Irony of Situation This refers to a happening that is the opposite of what is expected or intended. For Example: The wedding of a son causes a marital breakdown for the parents. C. DEVICES OF COMPARISON METAPHOR Compares by stating the element is the item of comparison e.g. The lawyers claws were out and he would not stop until they drew blood, ANALOGY Extends a metaphor to compare a situation or particularly to explain a complex item by using a familiar item to structure the explanation. E.g. Exam preparation is like baking a cake all the ingredients must be used and preparations thorough before baking. Firstly the ingredients: study which is lightened with periods of recreation, physical health, managing stress. (The analogy would continue for several paragraphs even) SIMILE Compares two unlike objects using like, as, resembles, looked as though etc. e.g. His exam worries even after the event were as if a rat was gnawing at his brain. PERSONIFICATION Compares non-human, inanimate elements OR abstract concepts to using HUMAN qualities e.g. The building stared down at him daring him to enter OR Justice is never kindly but it is ruthlessly fair. If the qualities are not human then the comparison is a metaphor e.g. A beast of a car.
Identifying the figures of speech or literary devices should be easy as well if you wrote down enough pointers. Here are some devices/ language techniques (adapted from capecommstudies.blogspot.) that are commonly found within paper 1B. A. CONTRAST The two widely differing elements are contrasted using a common value to convey further information about one or both elements. The differences between them often intensify either their positive or negative qualities. They frequently will be opposites. For example the warmth of the Caribbean with the cold winter of the United States (comparison point temperature). Contrasts also can be metaphorical. B. IRONY Irony is the contrast between what is expected or what appears to be and what actually is. For example, A clumsy ballet dancer.
ALLUSION Makes reference to familiar classical, biblical, historical or other well known cultural events. For example: Writers often allude to Anansi-like cunning. D. DEVICES OF EMPHASIS
HYPERBOLE Exaggerates qualities of an element or an overstatement (sometimes for comedic effect). For Example: I am so hungry I could eat a cow.
Commenting of the effectiveness of the device would just be to state why you think the writer used that particular device to draw attention to the main point or purpose. E.g. In the extract about how people react during an earthquake, the literary device simile was identified. It was used to describe the reaction of the people to that of scampering ants in the presence of the earthquake to show the panic and fright caused. Again once you wrote down enough information or remember enough key points the other question will simply be application of knowledge. E.g. for the extract about Havana and its old buildings, the question State FOUR details of the physical setting presented in this extract was asked. The model answer for this was:
REPETITION Uses repetition of either words, phrases or even a whole sentence. It only counts as repetition if the phrase or sentence has been used more than twice. The same point can also be stated in various ways. For Example: What if I do not make it, what if I cannot pass, what if I fail?
-cracked concrete
-elegant single-storey houses -brand-new smoked-glass shopping centres -battered buildings.
DEVICES USING SOUND Alliteration The repetition of initial consonant sounds barely blowing by Assonance The repetition of similar vowel sounds- grows below grounds Onomatopoeia - the word sounds like the sound- the hooting of the owls, the drip of water.