English Exam Paper 1

1
English Exam Paper 1

• There are two sections
• Section A Reading Media and Non-Fiction Texts
  (1 Hour)
• Section B Writing to Argue/Persuade (45 Minutes)

2
Section A Reading Media/Non-fiction Texts

• You will be asked questions on the texts to show
  your understanding of the following
• Following an argument
• Fact and opinion
• Comparing texts
• Writers use of language to target an audience
  and to achieve a particular purpose
• Writers use of layout and presentation to target
  an audience and to achieve a particular purpose

3
Media and Non-fiction Text Types

• You could be asked to read any of the following
  text types
• Tabloid newspaper
• Broadsheet newspaper
• Pamphlet
• Advertisement
• Magazine article
• Webpage
• Newspaper article
• Diary
• Biography

4
How to tackle the questions

• To start, skim read the questions and then,
  quickly, read the texts, making notes on the
  texts as you read. Spend 5-8 minutes on this.
• Answer all the questions
• Before answering each question, underline the key
  words in the question and note how many marks are
  available.
• Timing is important spend the right amount of
  time on each question
• As a rough guide, double the number of marks
  available and spend just under this number of
  minutes on the question.
• Make enough points to match the number of marks
  available

5
Following An Argument

• Make sure that you make enough different points
  in your answer
• Make sure that your points actually answer the
  question
• Dont spend too long on this question
• Make sure that you use quotes in your answer
• Try to use embedded quotes (quotes inside your
  own sentences)

6
Fact and Opinion

• You will need to give examples( quotes ) to show
  that you can tell the difference between fact and
  opinion
• Make sure that you give enough examples of each
• You will be asked to explain how facts and
  opinions are used to influence the reader and to
  achieve the writers purpose
• Make sure that you are actually answering the
  question asked

7
Comparing Texts

• It is likely that you will be asked to compare
  two texts, with a particular focus
• Make sure that you are clear what the focus of
  the question is
• Write about the texts equally
• Use connectives/sign posts to make links
• Similarly, In the same way, Likewise
• In contrast, On the other hand, However,

8
Language

• You wil be asked to explain how writers use
  language to either appeal to the target audience
  or to achieve their intended purpose, or both of
  these things
• For every point that you make, you must give an
  example(quote) and then explain how your quote
  influences the target audience and/or helps to
  achieve the writers purpose
• Make sure that you make enough different points

9
Language

• You might comment on the following features of
  language
• formal/informal
• emotive
• simple/complex
• balanced/biased
• figurative (similies, metaphors, alliteration,
  etc.)
• Personal pronouns- you/we/us
• Irony, sarcasm or other humour
• Choice of detail
• Exaggeration
• Command
• Repetition
• Pun/word play
• Sentence constructions
• Punctuation

10
Presentation and Layout

• You will be asked to explain how writers use
  layout and presentation to infuence the target
  audience and/or achieve their intended purpose
• Layout means where the words have been placed on
  the page where the words are on the page are in
  relation to pictures the shape of the writing
  the use of paragraphs, whitespace, bullets,
  boxes, pugs, headlines, straplines, subheadings,
  etc.
• Presentation means the use of images, font size,
  bold and type, colour, graphics, etc.
• Always support your points with examples and
  explain how the technique influences the target
  audience by highlighting a point or by suggesting
  meaning

11
Presentation and Layout

• It is important that you use media terminology
  for the higher grades, like target audience,
  copy(writing), subject(person in an image),
  object(thing in an image),splash(main story on
  the front page of a newspaper), pug, strapline,
  endorsement by a famous person or scientific
  theory, caption, etc.
• You need to go into detail when explaining how
  the image(s) are used to influence the reader
  pick out details, describe them, explain what
  they mean and how the reader will react, and how
  this helps the writers to achieve their intended
  purpose

12
Key Points

• Answer all the questions
• Double the number of marks available and spend
  just under this time, in minutes, on the question
• Key word every question and keep focused on it in
  your answer
• Make enough points for the marks available
• Give quotes to support your points
• Explain how quotes influence the target audience
  and achieve the writers purpose
• Write in enough detail on the image(s)
• Use media terminology
• Dont spend more than 1 hour on this section

13
Section B Writing To Argue/Persuade

• You will have 4 questions to choose from only
  answer 1 question
• Choose either argue or persuade
• You will have 45 minutes
• You will need to show that you can write
  appropiately for the text type, audience and
  purpose given in the question

14
Text Type

• The question will ask you to write in the style
  of a particular text type, probably one of the
  following
• a letter
• a pamphlet
• a webpage
• an advertisement(the copy)
• a magazine or newspaper article
• a report
• a speech
• a flyer

15
Text Type

• You will need to use the correct layout and style
  for the text type given in the question
• For example, a letter would begin, Dear....
  and, if formal, would end Yours sincerely,(if
  you name the person you are writing to) or Yours
  faithfully,(if you use Sir/Madam/Editor)
• An article for a magazine or newspaper would have
  a heading and strapline(although columns are not
  necessary)
• A newspaper report would have a headline,
  strapline,lead paragraph and subheadings
• A speech would open with Good morning and end
  Thank-you for listening
• Etc.

16
Audience

• You will need to consider who you are writing for
  your target audience
• Show that you are aware of your audience by
• mentioning your audience by name, at least
  three times at the start, in the middle and at
  the end
• using appropriate language for your given
  audience formal or informal (be careful not to
  use too many slang words if you are writing to
  your peers, just a few)
• write about the issues your audience are
  interested in and/or concerned about
• Remember, your audience could be made up of
  more than one group of people

17
Purpose

• Your purpose is either to argue or to persuade
• If you argue, you must use counter-argument
• If you persuade, assume that your audience holds
  the opposite view and that you will need to
  change their minds
• You must use a wide range of language techniques
  to argue/persuade

18
Language Techniques to Argue/Persuade

• Rhetorical question
• Personal pronouns you, we, us
• Imperative (command)
• Hyperbole (exaggeration)
• Counter argument
• Repetition
• Emotive language
• Personal experience
• Flattery
• Groups of three
• Irony or sarcasm
• Comparisons and contrasts
• Statistics
• Alliteration/rhyme for catchy headings and
  subheadings

19
Writing Skills

• Vocabulary use a wide range and complex words,
  choosing them for maximum impact on the reader
• Spelling check for mistakes with frequently
  used words
• Sentences use a wide range and complex
  sentences. Use short ones for dramatic effect

20
Writing Skills

• Punctuation
• Use commas in sentences
• Check for full stops, question marks, exclamation
  marks
• Check apostrophes have been used
• Try to use colons and semi-colons
• Organisation use paragraphs and try to link
  them
• Structure have a clear opening, development and
  ending

21
Sign Posts/Connectives

• Use these sorts of connectives to organise
  points Firstly, Secondly, Next, Finally,/In
  conclusion,/To conclude, etc.
• Use these sorts of connectives to present a
  different view point However, Although, On the
  other hand, Conversely, Whereas, etc.
• Use these sorts of connectives to emphasize a
  point Clearly, Moreover, Furthermore, etc.
• Use these to link similarities In the same way,
  Similary, Likewise
• Remember, use them at the start of paragraphs to
  link paragraphs and within paragraghs to organise
  and link points
• Dont forget to put a comma after the connective

22
How To Tackle The Question

• Key word your chosen question, underlining the
  key words
• Make a quick brainstorm/spider plan to think of
  lots of different points to make
• Make a paragraph plan to structure your points
  and organise them
• If youre stuck for different points, try lots of
  counter arguments and lots of comparisons
• Remember how important it is that you have a
  clear opening. A rhetorical question here helps
  to introduce your topic and involve your audience
• Your ending is also important signal it with a
  sign post like Finally, and refer back to your
  opening. An imperative(command) is an easy way to
  have a firm ending

23
Key Points

• Use the layout and style for the text type in the
  question
• Keep focused on the audience in the question
• Use lots of language techiques to persuade/argue
• Use connectives/sign posts
• Make lots of different points
• Have a clear opening and conclusion
• Spend up to 12 minutes planning 30 minutes
  writing 3 minutes checking
• Aim to write 2 sides