Non Fiction and Media Texts English Paper 1 Revision Tips

1
Non Fiction and Media Texts English Paper 1
Revision Tips The Exam You will have 1 hour 45
minutes to answer the exam paper. There are 2
reading tasks and a writing task to do. You
should spend 35 minutes on each question.
REMEMBER
Make sure you read all the material. Some people
have lost marks in the past because they didnt
turn over the page! Any page that is not supposed
to have material on it will say BLANK PAGE. If
you have a page with no writing on that doesnt
say that, ask the invigilator.
2
Question 1 This question asks you to find
information in a text and show that you clearly
understand what you have read. You will be asked
to look for some specific information in a text
and then explain what you have found in your own
words.
They ask you to use your own words to stop people
from copying out big chunks of the source
material. Dont think you have to translate
every word, just avoid copying phrases and
sentences and claiming them as your own.
The main focus of this question is being able to
SELECT appropriate material to answer it. It also
tests your ability to know the difference between
fact and opinion.
3
Question 2 This question asks you to look at the
writers craft and comment on the way they make
their point. You will need to write about the
impression the text gives the writers choice of
vocabulary the way the text has been put
together and the effect of any literary devices
used.
So REMEMBER comment on layout (including
pictures, graphics, colours, fonts)
-- comment on the content (what they
choose to tell you) --
comment on language (the words and phrases they
choose to use)
YOU MUST USE QUOTATIONS TO SUPPORT YOUR IDEAS.
4
Question3 This is the writing task. You will be
asked to write to Inform, Explain, Describe. You
will be marked on your ability to write in the
appropriate style on your use of sentence
structure and paragraphing and your choice of
language together with spelling and punctuation.
Make sure You write to fulfil the PURPOSE to
describe, inform, explain You write in a way
appropriate for your AUDIENCE is it for people
your age? The headteacher? You use the right
STRUCTURE is it a letter? A speech/talk? You
use the right TONE should it be formal or
informal?
Make sure it has a recognisable BEGINNING,
MIDDLE, END. Paragraphs help you to show this.
They are ESSENTIAL. Try to use at least four of
them.
5
Past Papers Click on the links below to work on a
past paper. They are in PDF format. You will
either need to save your own copy of the paper in
word or print a copy off so that you can work
with it
2007 Paper 1 Higher tier (Questions) 2007 Paper 1
Higher Tier (Reading booklet) 2007 Paper 1
Foundation Tier (Reading booklet and Questions)
Jan 2007 Foundation Tier (Reading and
Questions) Jan 2007 Higher Tier (Questions) Jan
2007 Higher Tier (Reading Booklet)
6
Working with Past Papers Choose the past paper
from the tier you have been entered for (usually
if you are in G band higher tier and P band
Foundation tier) Check with your teacher or on
your exam entry sheet if you are not sure. Read
the instructions on the front of the question
paper carefully Read question 1 carefully and
underline the key words in the question(s) Look
through the text and highlight important
information that will help you answer the
question. Have a go at writing your answer. Check
you answer to make sure you have included only
the information that you need to complete the
task and that you have made as many points as you
need to in your own words. Read question 2
carefully, again highlight the key words in the
question Remember this time you are looking at
use of language and you will need to use
quotations and refer to the text to support your
answer. Have a go at answering this
question. Question 3 read the question
carefully Plan your answer making sure you think
about how you will structure your answer for the
best effect. Write up your answer.
7
Other sources of revision guidance The Collins
revision Guide Active Revision GCSE English isbn
0-00-717542-6 pages 10-23 63-79 94,95,100-109
and 120-123 are useful The OCR examboard website
has further past papers together with mark
schemes that you can download http//www.ocr.org.
uk/qualifications/GCSE/English/documents.htmlPast
_papers_2007_-_June_series Have a look at other
revision websites that cover Non Fiction and
Media Texts eg http//www.englishbiz.co.uk/maingui
des/nonfiction.htm