If you read this Power Point, you will get LOADS of tips on how to write to a fantastic standard. I originally made this blog for my students who were aiming to get A grades. However, you are strong writers and you will really benefit from reading this.
Power Point - How to achieve an A
NW
Monday, 16 June 2014
How to answer Q. 5&6 - How to write
Your main aim is to write TWO really interesting texts that are full of well used LANGUAGE FEATURES. This is how you show that you are a good writer.
So, in the same way that you used SWIPES to analyse texts in Question 3, you can use SWIPES again to tell you what to include in your own writing.
S - Sentences (Does the author use a mixture of sentence lengths? Long for adding information, short to grab people's attention)
W - Words (Does the author use and long or interesting words? What do these words make you think? Does the author REPEAT any important words?)
I - Imagery (Does the author use any similes/metaphors/personifications/alliteration/onomatopoeia to have an effect on the reader?)
P - Personal Pronouns (Does the author use you/your, or rhetorical questions to make you feel like the text is talking directly to you?)
E - Emotive Language (Does any part of the text make you feel angry, happy, excited, sad?)
S - Statistics (Does the author use facts and figures, surveys or quotes to back up what they are saying?)
Try to include AS MANY OF THESE AS POSSIBLE in your own writing.
NW
So, in the same way that you used SWIPES to analyse texts in Question 3, you can use SWIPES again to tell you what to include in your own writing.
S - Sentences (Does the author use a mixture of sentence lengths? Long for adding information, short to grab people's attention)
W - Words (Does the author use and long or interesting words? What do these words make you think? Does the author REPEAT any important words?)
I - Imagery (Does the author use any similes/metaphors/personifications/alliteration/onomatopoeia to have an effect on the reader?)
P - Personal Pronouns (Does the author use you/your, or rhetorical questions to make you feel like the text is talking directly to you?)
E - Emotive Language (Does any part of the text make you feel angry, happy, excited, sad?)
S - Statistics (Does the author use facts and figures, surveys or quotes to back up what they are saying?)
Try to include AS MANY OF THESE AS POSSIBLE in your own writing.
NW
How to answer Q. 5&6
Questions 5&6 - Writing.
For the last two questions, you will be asked to complete two writing tasks: one shorter and one longer. You can tell which is which by looking at how many marks they are worth:
The shorter one is worth 16 marks and you should spend about 25 minutes on it.
The longer one is worth 24 marks and you should spend about 35 minutes on it.
For the last two questions, you will be asked to complete two writing tasks: one shorter and one longer. You can tell which is which by looking at how many marks they are worth:
The shorter one is worth 16 marks and you should spend about 25 minutes on it.
The longer one is worth 24 marks and you should spend about 35 minutes on it.
In a lot of ways, the writing task should be the easiest part of the exams this summer. A lot of people say that ‘Anyone Can Write’. I agree with this to a certain extent, but there are definitely things we can do to make our planning and preparation better.
You will not know what the writing questions are until you get into the exam, so we have to be prepared for a few different outcomes.
The first thing we have to do is to be prepared for the TYPE of writing we are being asked to do.
Type:
You will be asked to write a particular TYPE of writing, and you must show that you understand what you have been asked to do by including certain things. For example:
NEWSPAPER/ MAGAZINE ARTICLE – Headline, date, subheadings, picture boxes, author name, speaking to audience, paragraphs, columns?, bullet points?
LETTER – Name and address at the top, Dear Sir/Madam, Yours Sincerely/Faithfully, paragraphs.
WEBSITE/WEB ARTICLE – URL bar, links, tabs etc?
You also have to think about you AUDIENCE. Who are you writing for and how do you appeal to them?
Audience:
TEENAGERS – Maybe use A BIT of slang, maybe A BIT of text speak, talk about things which young people are interested in. Be funny.
OLD PEOPLE – Be formal, be polite, don’t use slang, try to talk about things which old people are interested in. Make them feel safe and included.
SOMEONE IMPORTANT – Be very polite, very formal, set out your writing in a sensible and orderly way, always back up your points with lots of reasons. Try to flatter them.
etc.
The last thing you need to think about is the PURPOSE of what you are being asked to do.
You will either be asked to PERSUADE, EXPLAIN, DESCRIBE, REVIEW or INSTRUCT (Or something similar) and you should make sure that you approach this directly!
How to answer Q. 4
Question 4 - Presentational Features
Here is an example of some paragraphs for this sort of question...
The first way that we can compare these texts is by the COLOURS that have been used. Text 1 uses a colour photograph of Johnny Depp dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow. This appeals to the target audience, who are children, because it makes them look at the picture where they will recognise the character and be excited about the idea of the character turning up at a school. Text 2 is an advert for a festival, aimed at 18-30 year olds. This advert has used bright blues and greens to remind the reader of summer. This will appeal to the target audience because they will then hope for a bright summer to enjoy the festival. I think that text 2 is better here because the author has made more effort to appeal to the target audience.
The second way that we can compare the two texts is through the LAYOUT. The Layout in text 1 is very neat and tidy. Tis is because it is an article from a newspaper. This is what we would expect from a newspaper, but it will not really interest the target audience who are children, because children normally want a bit more colour and variety in their layout to keep them interested as they are used to fun and graphic interactive activities like Ipads. The layout on text 2 is much more interesting with the information not all in straight lines, and different sized bubbles highlighting the main acts. This will appeal to the target audience more than the first text because the target audience of 18-30 year olds will want to go to this festival to have fun, and the layout makes it looks fun.
The next way we can compare the two texts is the by the IMAGES that have been used...
Do you see now how to use CLIFF H?
NW
Question 4 always asks you to look at the PRESENTATIONAL FEATURES of a text.
You also have to COMPARE one text to another.
Because of this, you might think that this is the most difficult question to answer. It is, in fact, the easiest.
To answer this question, just remember CLIFF H
Look at both texts, and think of something to say about each of the following:
C - Colours (Which colours have been used and why? What effect will they have on the reader?)
L - Layout (What can you say about the layout? How will it make the reader feel?)
I - Images (What are the pictures and diagrams like? What do they tell us? How do they make the reader feel?
F - Font (What sort of fonts have been used? How does this affect the reader?)
F - Formality (Does the text look formal or informal? Will this appeal to the Target Audience?)
H - Headings (Do they stand out? Will they appeal to the target audience?)
Work your way through each of these things, comparing each text and saying which one you think is best.
And that is it.
You also have to COMPARE one text to another.
Because of this, you might think that this is the most difficult question to answer. It is, in fact, the easiest.
To answer this question, just remember CLIFF H
Look at both texts, and think of something to say about each of the following:
C - Colours (Which colours have been used and why? What effect will they have on the reader?)
L - Layout (What can you say about the layout? How will it make the reader feel?)
I - Images (What are the pictures and diagrams like? What do they tell us? How do they make the reader feel?
F - Font (What sort of fonts have been used? How does this affect the reader?)
F - Formality (Does the text look formal or informal? Will this appeal to the Target Audience?)
H - Headings (Do they stand out? Will they appeal to the target audience?)
Work your way through each of these things, comparing each text and saying which one you think is best.
And that is it.
Here is what your paragraphs should look like:
Make a point about Text 1. Give an example. Is this effective for the target audience?
Make a similar point about Text 2. Give an example. Is this effective for the target audience?
Which is better, and why?
Here is an example of some paragraphs for this sort of question...
The first way that we can compare these texts is by the COLOURS that have been used. Text 1 uses a colour photograph of Johnny Depp dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow. This appeals to the target audience, who are children, because it makes them look at the picture where they will recognise the character and be excited about the idea of the character turning up at a school. Text 2 is an advert for a festival, aimed at 18-30 year olds. This advert has used bright blues and greens to remind the reader of summer. This will appeal to the target audience because they will then hope for a bright summer to enjoy the festival. I think that text 2 is better here because the author has made more effort to appeal to the target audience.
The second way that we can compare the two texts is through the LAYOUT. The Layout in text 1 is very neat and tidy. Tis is because it is an article from a newspaper. This is what we would expect from a newspaper, but it will not really interest the target audience who are children, because children normally want a bit more colour and variety in their layout to keep them interested as they are used to fun and graphic interactive activities like Ipads. The layout on text 2 is much more interesting with the information not all in straight lines, and different sized bubbles highlighting the main acts. This will appeal to the target audience more than the first text because the target audience of 18-30 year olds will want to go to this festival to have fun, and the layout makes it looks fun.
The next way we can compare the two texts is the by the IMAGES that have been used...
Do you see now how to use CLIFF H?
NW
How to answer Q. 3
Question 3 - Language Features
Question 3 always asks you about the LANGUAGE FEATURES that an author has used in one of the texts.
In order to do this well, I taught you a little trick to help you remember what to look out for.
Whatever the text is that you've been told to read, remember to use SWIPES. If you remember SWIPES, then you will know exactly what to highlight with your highlighter.
So, read the text, and look out for any of the following:
S - Sentences (Does the author use a mixture of sentence lengths? Long for adding information, short to grab people's attention)
W - Words (Does the author use and long or interesting words? What do these words make you think? Does the author REPEAT any important words?)
I - Imagery (Does the author use any similes/metaphors/personifications/alliteration/onomatopoeia to have an effect on the reader?)
P - Personal Pronouns (Does the author use you/your, or rhetorical questions to make you feel like the text is talking directly to you?)
E - Emotive Language (Does any part of the text make you feel angry, happy, excited, sad?)
S - Statistics (Does the author use facts and figures, surveys or quotes to back up what they are saying?)
Once you have remembered this, then answering the question is easy.
Highlight at least 5 of these things in the text, then turn them into PEE paragraphs.
So, imagine you have found interesting WORDS, STATISTICS, EMOTIVE LANGUAGE, SIMILES and SHORT SENTENCES in your text...
Paragraph 1 would look like this...
The first language feature that the author uses is INTERESTING WORDS. We see this where it says, 'Johnny Depp was ecstatic to make the visit.' This is a big word which draws our attention to this part of the article, and shows us how happy the actor was to be there.
Paragraph 2 might say...
The second thing the author does is to use STATISTICS. The text says that '60% of people on the island do not speak any English.' Using statistics makes the article sound more believable. It is also a very shocking statistic that so many people can not speak English.
If you write about 5-6 paragraphs like this, your answer will be GREAT!
NW
In order to do this well, I taught you a little trick to help you remember what to look out for.
Whatever the text is that you've been told to read, remember to use SWIPES. If you remember SWIPES, then you will know exactly what to highlight with your highlighter.
So, read the text, and look out for any of the following:
S - Sentences (Does the author use a mixture of sentence lengths? Long for adding information, short to grab people's attention)
W - Words (Does the author use and long or interesting words? What do these words make you think? Does the author REPEAT any important words?)
I - Imagery (Does the author use any similes/metaphors/personifications/alliteration/onomatopoeia to have an effect on the reader?)
P - Personal Pronouns (Does the author use you/your, or rhetorical questions to make you feel like the text is talking directly to you?)
E - Emotive Language (Does any part of the text make you feel angry, happy, excited, sad?)
S - Statistics (Does the author use facts and figures, surveys or quotes to back up what they are saying?)
Once you have remembered this, then answering the question is easy.
Highlight at least 5 of these things in the text, then turn them into PEE paragraphs.
So, imagine you have found interesting WORDS, STATISTICS, EMOTIVE LANGUAGE, SIMILES and SHORT SENTENCES in your text...
Paragraph 1 would look like this...
The first language feature that the author uses is INTERESTING WORDS. We see this where it says, 'Johnny Depp was ecstatic to make the visit.' This is a big word which draws our attention to this part of the article, and shows us how happy the actor was to be there.
Paragraph 2 might say...
The second thing the author does is to use STATISTICS. The text says that '60% of people on the island do not speak any English.' Using statistics makes the article sound more believable. It is also a very shocking statistic that so many people can not speak English.
If you write about 5-6 paragraphs like this, your answer will be GREAT!
NW
How to answer Q. 1&2
Questions 1 and 2
1b and 2 - Both of these questions require skills of INFERENCE. That means that you have to read the text and WORK OUT stuff based on what you've been told.
Examples:
The first thing we learn from the text is to do with the monster. The text says, ' The monster smashed through the building with ease.' From this we can infer that the monster is big and strong, because the text says 'With ease'.
or
The first thing we learn about Johnny Depp's visit to the school is that it was totally unexpected. The text says, 'everyone gasped when he walked in'. this shows us people weren't expecting him, because you only gasp when you are shocked.
or
The first thing we learn from the text is that the match was very one sided. The text says, 'Manchester United struggled to get the ball.' This proves that the match was one-sided because it sounds like Manchester United couldn't even touch the ball because the other team were so good.
or
The first thing we learn from the text is that Barnford is a rough city. The text says, 'people didn't usually walk home alone in this city.' This implies people are scared about getting mugged.
You need to write about 3 paragraphs for 1b, and 5 paragraphs for 2.
I will keep these posts simple so that they don't confuse you.
Remember:
1a - Simply asks you to find 4 pieces of information from the text and copy them into your answer booklet. Don't do anything other than highlight the four pieces of information it asks for and copy them in word for word. It is THAT simple!
Remember:
1a - Simply asks you to find 4 pieces of information from the text and copy them into your answer booklet. Don't do anything other than highlight the four pieces of information it asks for and copy them in word for word. It is THAT simple!
Everyone should be getting 4 marks on this - no exceptions. Don't put things into your own words, or guess at things. Just COPY THEM DOWN.
Now on to the more complicated questions...
1b and 2 - Both of these questions require skills of INFERENCE. That means that you have to read the text and WORK OUT stuff based on what you've been told.
Examples:
The first thing we learn from the text is to do with the monster. The text says, ' The monster smashed through the building with ease.' From this we can infer that the monster is big and strong, because the text says 'With ease'.
or
The first thing we learn about Johnny Depp's visit to the school is that it was totally unexpected. The text says, 'everyone gasped when he walked in'. this shows us people weren't expecting him, because you only gasp when you are shocked.
or
The first thing we learn from the text is that the match was very one sided. The text says, 'Manchester United struggled to get the ball.' This proves that the match was one-sided because it sounds like Manchester United couldn't even touch the ball because the other team were so good.
or
The first thing we learn from the text is that Barnford is a rough city. The text says, 'people didn't usually walk home alone in this city.' This implies people are scared about getting mugged.
You need to write about 3 paragraphs for 1b, and 5 paragraphs for 2.
BASIC RULES AND GUIDELINES FOR THE EXAM
FIRST - GENERAL RULES
If you obey all of these basic rules, you should be OK.
1. Stick to timings! I Have told you many times how long you should be spending on each question. Do NOT go over you time.
Section A
Reading Time - 15 mins
Question 1 - 12 mins
Question 2 - 12 mins
Question 3 - 18 mins
Question 4 - 18 mins
Section B
Question 5 - 24 mins
Question 6 - 36 mins
2. Take a highlighter (preferably more than one colour) and highlight anything interesting in any of the texts that you see. So, if you see any similes, metaphors, etc ...or even just big words, you have got them marked out on your sheet for later.
3. Always write in PEE for the SECTION A (Except for the first question - 1a) PEE paragraphs are what get you top marks. You MUST include EVIDENCE from the text in each paragraph. If you don't you're wasting your time.
1. Stick to timings! I Have told you many times how long you should be spending on each question. Do NOT go over you time.
Section A
Reading Time - 15 mins
Question 1 - 12 mins
Question 2 - 12 mins
Question 3 - 18 mins
Question 4 - 18 mins
Section B
Question 5 - 24 mins
Question 6 - 36 mins
2. Take a highlighter (preferably more than one colour) and highlight anything interesting in any of the texts that you see. So, if you see any similes, metaphors, etc ...or even just big words, you have got them marked out on your sheet for later.
3. Always write in PEE for the SECTION A (Except for the first question - 1a) PEE paragraphs are what get you top marks. You MUST include EVIDENCE from the text in each paragraph. If you don't you're wasting your time.
NW
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