Close ReadingClose Reading

Some AdviceSome Advice

Firstly…Firstly…

You will be presented with two passages, You will be presented with two passages, one longer than the otherone longer than the other

Both passages will be non-fiction and their Both passages will be non-fiction and their subject matter will be related.subject matter will be related.

This is a test of your This is a test of your readingreading. You must . You must read both passages – ALL THE WAY read both passages – ALL THE WAY THROUGH. THROUGH.

The whole test is out of 50.The whole test is out of 50.

Some adviceSome advice

Read passage one, then answer the Read passage one, then answer the questions. Do the same with passage two.questions. Do the same with passage two.

Learn, practise and use speed reading Learn, practise and use speed reading techniques.techniques.

Look carefully at the number of marks per Look carefully at the number of marks per question. You have no idea how many question. You have no idea how many people lose out by not writing enough, or people lose out by not writing enough, or sometimes by writing too much.sometimes by writing too much.

U/A/E?????U/A/E?????

U/A/E stands for understanding, analysis U/A/E stands for understanding, analysis and evaluation – the big three of Higher and evaluation – the big three of Higher EnglishEnglish

Understanding= What has the writer said?Understanding= What has the writer said?

Analysis= What effect was the writer Analysis= What effect was the writer looking for?looking for?

Evaluation= What do you think of the Evaluation= What do you think of the writer’s technique?writer’s technique?

UnderstandingUnderstanding

These questions often make up the bulk of the These questions often make up the bulk of the paper.paper.

You should use your own words at this level.You should use your own words at this level.

You are asked to summarise, define and convey You are asked to summarise, define and convey your understanding of the writer’s words.your understanding of the writer’s words.

DO NOT try to translate (unless you are asked DO NOT try to translate (unless you are asked to). It is better to read and then give the gist of to). It is better to read and then give the gist of what you have read rather than translate every what you have read rather than translate every word!word!

Context QuestionsContext Questions

In context questions, you are asked to say In context questions, you are asked to say what a word means by using the what a word means by using the information around it.information around it.You should firstly define the word by You should firstly define the word by stating “Quote the word” means stating “Quote the word” means provide a provide a definitiondefinitionThen provide examples from around the Then provide examples from around the word that have roughly the same meaning word that have roughly the same meaning and/or connotations.and/or connotations.

The Link QuestionThe Link Question

Sooooo easy!Sooooo easy!

Identify the section of the sentence that refers Identify the section of the sentence that refers back to the previous section – quote it.back to the previous section – quote it.

After that, state what the topic of the previous After that, state what the topic of the previous section was.section was.

Identify the section of the sentence that Identify the section of the sentence that introduces the next section – quote it.introduces the next section – quote it.

After that, state what the topic of the next section After that, state what the topic of the next section was.was.

Link Question TemplateLink Question Template

““Quote the part of the sentence that refers Quote the part of the sentence that refers back to the previous section”back to the previous section”

Refers back to the previous section, which Refers back to the previous section, which was about_________________________was about_________________________

““Quote the part of the sentence that Quote the part of the sentence that introduces the next section”introduces the next section”

Introduces the next section, which was Introduces the next section, which was about_________________________about_________________________

AnalysisAnalysis

These can be broadly categorised into These can be broadly categorised into questions on imagery, tone, word choice questions on imagery, tone, word choice and sentence structure: questions on and sentence structure: questions on technique.technique.In other words, questions that relate to the In other words, questions that relate to the writer’s use of language.writer’s use of language.Whenever a question begins “How does Whenever a question begins “How does the writer’s language…” then these are the the writer’s language…” then these are the areas you are asked to look at.areas you are asked to look at.

Imagery Imagery

These are easier to answer than you would These are easier to answer than you would think. Here you are asked to comment on simile, think. Here you are asked to comment on simile, metaphor and personification.metaphor and personification.Key words here are “literal origin”Key words here are “literal origin”You should always state the literal root of the You should always state the literal root of the phrase.phrase.Then you should go on to look at how it operates Then you should go on to look at how it operates metaphorically.metaphorically.When you are asked about the writer’s When you are asked about the writer’s language, then imagery is an easy way to score language, then imagery is an easy way to score points.points.

Word ChoiceWord Choice

The key word here is “connotation”.The key word here is “connotation”.

You should quote the phrase and state the You should quote the phrase and state the associations people may have with that associations people may have with that idea.idea.

Again, you should relate it back to the Again, you should relate it back to the question – what effect does it have?question – what effect does it have?

Sentence StructureSentence Structure

People find this hard. Again, you have to do People find this hard. Again, you have to do more than simply identify the technique. more than simply identify the technique. Saying that a lot of commas create a list is the Saying that a lot of commas create a list is the same as identifying a group of words as a simile.same as identifying a group of words as a simile.You have to identify what the purpose of the list You have to identify what the purpose of the list is. Do this in relation to what the subject matter is. Do this in relation to what the subject matter of the section is as well as answering the of the section is as well as answering the question – obviously!!question – obviously!!Ensure you have knowledge of different Ensure you have knowledge of different sentence types and their effects.sentence types and their effects.

ToneTone

Don’t you hate it?!Don’t you hate it?!Have in your head a list of different names of tones Have in your head a list of different names of tones (there are a number of them in the green book).(there are a number of them in the green book).There are two approaches to take:There are two approaches to take:Firstly, “listen” to the text. Imagine what kind of voice you Firstly, “listen” to the text. Imagine what kind of voice you would put on if you were to read it out loud.would put on if you were to read it out loud.Secondly, ask yourself what attitude the writer has here. Secondly, ask yourself what attitude the writer has here. Often this will lead you to the toneOften this will lead you to the toneThen, look at what language the writer uses to achieve Then, look at what language the writer uses to achieve this tone. For example, use of childish words is very this tone. For example, use of childish words is very condescending and may suggest that the writer is condescending and may suggest that the writer is mocking in his or her tone.mocking in his or her tone.A good tip is to approach this last bit as if it were a word A good tip is to approach this last bit as if it were a word choice question.choice question.

EvaluationEvaluation

To paraphrase Blackadder: you must have an To paraphrase Blackadder: you must have an opinion. Having an opinion is very important!!opinion. Having an opinion is very important!!

Evaluation is all about your opinion.Evaluation is all about your opinion.

Be thinking, as you read, what your stance is.Be thinking, as you read, what your stance is.

The article could be about a current, The article could be about a current, controversial topic eg. Global warming, controversial topic eg. Global warming, terrorism, racism. Start to form opinions on these terrorism, racism. Start to form opinions on these topics and they may help you to evaluate the topics and they may help you to evaluate the passage.passage.

More general adviceMore general advice

Be precise – don’t waffle.Be precise – don’t waffle.

Use bullet points where you can (not in the last Use bullet points where you can (not in the last question)question)

Read newspapers (not The Sun or other such Read newspapers (not The Sun or other such entertaining trash) so that you are used to the entertaining trash) so that you are used to the style of writing.style of writing.

Practise, practise, practise.Practise, practise, practise.

THINK!!!! Always identify what the question type THINK!!!! Always identify what the question type is and put your skills into action.is and put your skills into action.