How to answer Q. 4

Question 4 - Presentational Features

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.

 

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