GCSE English Revision for Reading

7/29/2019 GCSE English Revision for Reading

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These notes relate to English Papers 1 and 2

(Section A will assess Reading Skills)

and

English Literature (Poetry and Novel

questions both assess your reading)


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ENGLISH PAPER1

Section A deals with your reading of Mediaand non-fiction texts


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Five skills are tested:

Following an argument

Identifying and Commenting on Facts andOpinions

Evaluating the impact/effect of Language,

Presentation, Organisation Comparing texts similarities and differences

Making appropriate references/using quotations


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Although READING is the focus you must

explain and presentyour answers clearly


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A STRUCTURED RESPONSE is required for A* Cgrades

- Use P.E.C.

- Use Clear Paragraphs

- Use short but relevant quotations (except where

youre told to explain in your own words)


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Watch out for the Follow an Argument question

- Highlight Key Points- Look at all of the text

- Put points into your own words

- Imagine you are writing a brief summary of

the text


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Do not copy directly

Do not use quotations on this one

Remember, each Paragraph of a text may wellcontain a new point

There is no need to waste time/words with phraseslike: In the text one of the main points is. Just re-phrase the main points.


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FACTS and OPINIONS

Facts- are often simply numbers/proper nouns

- always think HOW are the facts being used to give information? To lend weight to anargument? Is the number or statistic big orsmall what does this imply?


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A structured response = identify a fact (quote it andsay its a fact) then explain its use. This would make a

good clear, short paragraph.

Do the same with Opinions.


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Opinions

- are simply a point of view they cant beproved are not always true

Remember to spot those false facts opinions whichseem to read as facts. Think how these give a sense of

authority to an opinion.


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Most common mistakes:

forgetting to quote

forgetting to link the examples you have given, withthe words fact or opinion

forgetting to explain the use/impact/effect


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When showing your understanding of a text

WRITE A LOT ABOUT A LITTLE!(This applies particularly to the other Cultures Poetry)

10 points made with no/little comment: E Grade

3 or 4 points made with detailed/developedcomments: A*-C grade


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BE TIGHT ON TIMERemember your time management

Paper 1 (A) 27 marks in 60 minutes so roughlydouble the marks = minutes

Make sure you tackle EVERY QUESTIONin Section A

Leave 45 minutes for the Section BWriting Task


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Paper 1 Section A

Media/Non-Fiction Reading

1. Think about how the page LOOKS even withoutreading the words

2. Think how the way it looks might influence a

reader3. Think how the way its written might influence a

reader

4. Think about the differences between the items

/texts (genre, audience, purpose, layout)


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Following these 4 Points allows you to comment on:

PRESENTATIONAL DEVICES ORGANISATIONAL DEVICES

LINGUISTIC DEVICES

Now make sure you understand the followingdefinitions of these devices (or features)


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PRESENTATIONAL DEVICES(how the page looks)

Headlines Sub-Heads Illustrations

Fonts* Italics Underline

Bullets Word Art Columns

Colour Image Graphics

*(How words are written, in terms of font, is called Typography)


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LINGUISTIC DEVICES(The language features How it reads)

Be prepared to identify and comment on:

Tone Formal? Informal? Chatty? Serious?

Word Choice Easy? Sophisticated? Colloquial?


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1st Person I, we, our, us, me

2nd Person You, your

3

rd

Person He, she, they, using names

Any Rhetorical Devices

- rule of 3

- rhetorical question

- threatening dire consequences

- rubbishing the counter-argument etc


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Any Literacy Devices

- imagery (simile, metaphor, personification)

- repetition

- alliteration

- rhyme/rhythm- adjective/adverbs


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Plus any other patterns of language, like words which

link meanings throughout a text

Sentence types

Humour, sarcasm, exaggeration (hyperbole)

YOU DONT HAVE TO SPOT EVERYTHING BUTWHEN YOU MAKE A POINT EXPLAIN IT FULLY!


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Paper 2 Section A

Different Cultures

POETRY

45 minutes

15% of total grade ONE TASK ONLY

COMPARE TWO POEMS


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The examiner is looking to reward you for:

1. Reading with insight and developing yourinterpretation of a text(s)

Be original a personal response is better thantrying to give the expected answer

Develop 3 points in depth and detail, to show howyou have thought for yourself


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2. Selecting material and cross-referencing

You must quote

Select relevant/good examples

Quote from both poems

Compare the poems directly, e.g. compare particularfeatures of the poems, such as how they both uselayout/words/imagery


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3. Showing understanding and being able toevaluate use of language, layout and structure

If you do 1 and 2 above youve done this one!


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ENGLISH LITERATURE EXAM

45 minutes NOVEL one task60 minutes POETRY one task

70% of Total Grade


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You are being assessed on your READING in 3main areas:

1. Respond critically, sensitively, in detail, usingquotations

(This is the same as in English Paper 2 Poetry:

thinking feeling explaining quoting)


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2. Explore how language, structure, form Contributeto meaning, considering alternative interpretations

(Again, much like the English Papers:

Language/layout How its written What it means

to me. There is no expected right answer onlysensibly supported points)


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3. Explore relationships and make comparisons

(This means in the poetry questions.

Remember to structure your answer so that you dealwith all parts of the question Use 4 poems useany bullet points quote compare use P.E.C. tokeep in paragraphs)


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FINALLY

Revise sensibly over time- Re-read all the Poetry and the novel

- Learn those dodgy spellings

- Try to read widely, including magazines,

newspapers

- Develop your writing style (handwriting plus thewords you use)


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In the exam Stay calm, dont panic

Work quickly but efficiently dont rush

Answer the Question (highlight key words)

Use bullet points (if given) to structure your answers Do remember to PROOF-READ

Structure your responses paragraphing

Never simply copy directly from a text (if you do thisyouve gone badly wrong!)

Show quotations properly

Think before you write take time to plan

Manage your time and pace yourself


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Good Luck

Documents

GCSE English Revision for Reading