These notes relate to English Papers 1 and 2 (Section A will assess Reading Skills)

and

English Literature (Poetry and Novel questions both assess your reading)

ENGLISH PAPER 1
Section A deals with your reading of Media and non-fiction texts

Five skills are tested:

Following an argument
Identifying and Commenting on Facts and

Opinions Evaluating the impact/effect of Language, Presentation, Organisation Comparing texts similarities and differences Making appropriate references/using quotations

Although READING is the focus you must explain and present your answers clearly

A STRUCTURED RESPONSE is required for A* C grades - Use P.E.C. - Use Clear Paragraphs - Use short but relevant quotations (except where youre told to explain in your own words)

Watch out for the Follow an Argument question

- Highlight Key Points - Look at all of the text - Put points into your own words - Imagine you are writing a brief summary of the text

Do not copy directly

Do not use quotations on this one

Remember, each Paragraph of a text may well contain a new point There is no need to waste time/words with phrases like: In the text one of the main points is. Just rephrase the main points.

FACTS and OPINIONS Facts - are often simply numbers/proper nouns

- always think HOW are the facts being used to give information? To lend weight to an argument? Is the number or statistic big or small what does this imply?

A structured response = identify a fact (quote it and say its a fact) then explain its use. This would make a good clear, short paragraph.
Do the same with Opinions.

Opinions - are simply a point of view they cant be

proved are not always true Remember to spot those false facts opinions which seem to read as facts. Think how these give a sense of authority to an opinion.

Most common mistakes:

forgetting to quote forgetting to link the examples you have given, with

the words fact or opinion forgetting to explain the use/impact/effect

When showing your understanding of a text

WRITE A LOT ABOUT A LITTLE!

(This applies particularly to the other Cultures Poetry)

10 points made with no/little comment: E Grade 3 or 4 points made with detailed/developed comments: A*-C grade

BE TIGHT ON TIME
Remember your time management Paper 1 (A) 27 marks in 60 minutes so roughly double the marks = minutes Make sure you tackle EVERY QUESTION in Section A Leave 45 minutes for the Section B Writing Task

Paper 1 Section A Media/Non-Fiction Reading

Think about how the page LOOKS even without reading the words 2. Think how the way it looks might influence a reader 3. Think how the way its written might influence a reader 4. Think about the differences between the items /texts (genre, audience, purpose, layout)
1.

Following these 4 Points allows you to comment on:

PRESENTATIONAL DEVICES

ORGANISATIONAL DEVICES
LINGUISTIC DEVICES

Now make sure you understand the following definitions of these devices (or features)

PRESENTATIONAL DEVICES
(how the page looks)

Headlines Fonts* Bullets Colour

Sub-Heads Italics Word Art Image

Illustrations Underline Columns Graphics

*(How words are written, in terms of font, is called Typography)

LINGUISTIC DEVICES
(The language features How it reads)

Be prepared to identify and comment on:

Tone Formal? Informal? Chatty? Serious? Word Choice Easy? Sophisticated? Colloquial?

1st Person 2nd Person 3rd Person

I, we, our, us, me You, your He, she, they, using names

Any Rhetorical Devices - rule of 3 - rhetorical question - threatening dire consequences - rubbishing the counter-argument etc

Any Literacy Devices - imagery (simile, metaphor, personification) - repetition - alliteration - rhyme/rhythm - adjective/adverbs

 Plus any other patterns of language, like words which

link meanings throughout a text

Sentence types Humour, sarcasm, exaggeration (hyperbole)

YOU DONT HAVE TO SPOT EVERYTHING BUT WHEN YOU MAKE A POINT EXPLAIN IT FULLY!

Paper 2 Section A Different Cultures POETRY

45 minutes

15% of total grade

ONE TASK ONLY COMPARE TWO POEMS

The examiner is looking to reward you for:

1.

Reading with insight and developing your interpretation of a text(s)

Be original a personal response is better than trying to give the expected answer Develop 3 points in depth and detail, to show how you have thought for yourself

2. Selecting material and cross-referencing

You must quote Select relevant/good examples Quote from both poems Compare the poems directly, e.g. compare particular features of the poems, such as how they both use layout/words/imagery

3. Showing understanding and being able to evaluate use of language, layout and structure
If you do 1 and 2 above youve done this one!

ENGLISH LITERATURE EXAM

45 minutes NOVEL one task 60 minutes POETRY one task
70% of Total Grade

You are being assessed on your READING in 3 main areas:

1.

Respond critically, sensitively, in detail, using quotations

(This is the same as in English Paper 2 Poetry: thinking feeling explaining quoting)

2. Explore how language, structure, form Contribute to meaning, considering alternative interpretations
(Again, much like the English Papers: Language/layout How its written What it means to me. There is no expected right answer only sensibly supported points)

3. Explore relationships and make comparisons

(This means in the poetry questions. Remember to structure your answer so that you deal with all parts of the question Use 4 poems use any bullet points quote compare use P.E.C. to keep in paragraphs)

FINALLY
Revise sensibly over time - Re-read all the Poetry and the novel - Learn those dodgy spellings - Try to read widely, including magazines, newspapers - Develop your writing style (handwriting plus the words you use)

In the exam

Stay calm, dont panic Work quickly but efficiently dont rush Answer the Question (highlight key words) Use bullet points (if given) to structure your answers Do remember to PROOF-READ Structure your responses paragraphing Never simply copy directly from a text (if you do this youve gone badly wrong!) Show quotations properly Think before you write take time to plan Manage your time and pace yourself

Good Luck