Transcript
Paper 2
Wednesday 18th May
This examination is two hours long and consists of the following:
Section A: Assessing READING. 50 minutes. 40 marks.
• You will read two examples of non-literary texts on a common theme and answer questions on them.
Section B: Assessing WRITING. 70 minutes. 40 marks (20 for each piece of writing)
• You need to produce two pieces of transactional writing – writing that pays special attention to audience, purpose and format.
The reading section
Section A: Assessing READING. 50 minutes. 40 marks.
• You will read two examples of non-literary texts on a common theme. These could be an advert, a newspaper or magazine article, a page from the Internet or an essay (e.g. travel writing). You then answer questions on these texts. One question (usually the last one) will ask you to compare the texts.
Reading paper
The questions you will be asked fall into seven basic types:
• Locating and retrieving information• Impressions and images• Viewpoint and attitude• Intended audience• Analysis of persuasive techniques• Comparison of texts• Evaluation of texts
Reading paperHow the questions might be worded:• Compare and contrast these texts.• What are the writer’s thoughts and feelings
about…?• What evidence does the writer give that…?• Which of these texts do you find the most
effective?• Who would the language in this text appeal to?• What impression do we get of…?• How does this text try to persuade the reader
that…?
Remember PAS
Purpose – Why has the text been written? What does the writer want to achieve?
Audience – Who is the text intended to be read by?
Style – How do the language and presentational devices of a text suit the PURPOSE and AUDIENCE?
So, put simply, the S is used to match the P and A!
Glossary of useful terms
• Facts
• Opinions
• Statistics
• Positive/negative adjectives
• First/second/third person
• Questions (interrogatives)
• Commands (imperatives)
Glossary 2
• Emotive language
• List of 3
• Parallel syntax
• Contrast
• Jargon
• Anecdote
• Humour
Glossary 3
• Pun (play on words)
• Coining
• Statements from people
• Modal verbs to indicate the ‘mood’ of the text (can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, must)
Persuasive language uses the following tactics:
• scare tactics (playing on your fears or insecurities)
• shock tactics (often sensational or creating outrage)
• an appeal to your hopes, dreams or ambitions
• an appeal to your vanity or snobbery• an appeal to your better nature or idealism• an appeal to your self-image
Structure
• Structure = how a text is organised or put together. You may well be asked to discuss how an argument is structured in the exam. You need to think carefully about WHY the writer chose to put particular details/information in the place/order they did.
Tone• Tone = the way something is said or written
which shows the mood or feelings of the writer.
Here are some useful words you could use to describe a writer’s tone.
calm aggressive measuredranting serious ironic/sarcasticreasonable emotional factual opinionated
formal informal earnestelevated flippant/lightheartedconversational/colloquial
Headlines and titles
The advice given in the WJEC textbook is that “All headlines and titles try to ‘catch the eye’ or ‘grab the attention’, so you will get little or no credit if that is all you say in an exam answer”.
You need to say something more specific about the headline. Why has the writer chosen those particular words?
Use evidence
DON’T FORGET TO USE QUOTES FOR YOUR EVIDENCE
Section B: Assessing WRITING. 70 minutes. 40 marks (20 for each piece of
writing)
• You need to produce two pieces of transactional writing – writing that pays special attention to audience, purpose and format.
• You will be asked to write two of the following: a letter, a report, an article, a leaflet, a speech or a review.
The two tasks
One will test your ability to argue, persuade or advise; and the other to analyse, review or comment.
Tips• Read the instructions carefully – they are there to
help you.
• Divide your time equally – about 35 minutes per question – and make sure your answers are about the length suggested.
• Think carefully before you write – plan what you will say in your introduction, in each paragraph and in the conclusion.
• When you have finished writing, read through and check for errors – don’t be afraid to make changes if they will improve your work.
Before you begin
When tackling a piece of writing of this sort, always bear in mind these things.
Purpose: Why am I writing this piece?
Audience: Who is it written for?
Format: How should my work be set out?
AUDIENCE
• What you write and the way you write it will depend on who the reader is. For a friend, your tone will be friendly, chatty and informal. For an employer, on the other hand, you will adapt a more serious and formal tone.
Purpose
• Purpose means the reason behind the piece of writing – for example, to argue, persuade, comment or review.
Make sure you are clear about the purpose of your writing.
Format
Format means how you set something out. For example, a report contains headings and sub headings so that different topics are dealt with separately and the report is easier for the reader to follow.
These are important!
• Paragraphing
• Spelling
• Grammar
• Punctuation.
Formal letter
Remember that if you write a formal letter then use:
‘Yours sincerely’ if you know their name.
‘Yours faithfully’ if you don’t know their name.
Formal letter layout
Use the correct layout for a formal letter (unless it says otherwise).
Your Address
Date
Their address
Dear…
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