Analysis of writer’s style – ‘HOW’ questions

Analysis of writer’s style – ‘HOW’ questions Outcomes: To know and practice the skills needed for the exams.

The next section of the reading skills that you need for the exam paper are associated with LANGUAGE and PRESENTATIONAL DEVICES. • You need to: • learn the techniques used to analyse the ways in which writers try to influence readers • learn the various forms of persuasion • practice answering this type of question. Analysis of Writer’s Style- How Questions Outcomes: learn and analyse the techniques used to analyse the ways in which writers try to influence readers

These questions in the exam will require you to analyse the methods used by the writer who is trying to convey a certain point of view or attitude. • Typical questions: • How does the writer/article/leaflet encourage/persuade…? • How does the writer convey a certain attitude/idea/image? • The key word in this question is ‘HOW’ – this means that you must employ the PEE technique. ‘How’ Questions

P • E • E POINT EVIDENCE EXPLAIN

Persuasive writers can use a variety of techniques. • The exam questions will almost certainly require analysis of how a particular text is attempting to influence its audience. It could be selling a product or promoting an idea or a point of view, but writing is never really neutral, particularly this kind of writing. • As you read each text, try to establish a sense not only of its topic (what it is about) but also of the writer's viewpoint (what the writer really thinks about the topic). Outcomes: learn and analyse the techniques used to analyse the ways in which writers try to influence readers

Consider:- • What is written? • How it is written? • Whoit is written for? • What is the intended effect of the words/image/headline? Approach Outcomes: learn and analyse the techniques used to analyse the ways in which writers try to influence readers

This is intended to be an analysis of how a writer tries to persuade. It is not asking whether you agree or not. You must look at what the writer is doing and resist the temptation to give your own views on the issue. The question is not: 'How does the writer make you want to read on?' So don't answer that question instead of the actual one. Outcomes: learn and analyse the techniques used to analyse the ways in which writers try to influence readers

Analysis of language When asked ‘How’ does an article or writer do something the examiners are looking for you to analyse the content of the text. The simple method: Identify what is stated in the article/leaflet/text that you think is particularly useful to the question. Back this up with evidence in the form of a quotation Analyse your quotation by explaining what effect the writer is trying to achieve and identify one word or phrase and explore the connotations that word/phrase has for the reader. Outcomes: learn and analyse the techniques used to analyse the ways in which writers try to influence readers

Persuasive Techniques Now complete the worksheet. Fill in the grid with a definition and explanation as to why it is effective to use the specified technique. Outcomes: learn and analyse the techniques used to analyse the ways in which writers try to influence readers

Language Devices you must be familiar with. • It is NOT enough to simply locate and identify key language features. You must develop your responses further and COMMENT / ANALYSE the features present.

‘How’ questions are a mixture of the following two elements: • What the writer has chosen to include - THE CONTENT • The techniques (persuasive) used THE STYLE

Look at the internet article by Lucy Jones ("The Land Where Killers Are Free To Go Hunting") 1) According to this article, why are there no closed prisons in Greenland? [10]

2. How does Lucy Jones try to make her internet article interesting for her readers? [10] Think about: • what she says; • how she says it; • the use of headlines and pictures; • the use of internet features

Analysis of writer’s style – ‘HOW’ questions