Int. 1 Close Reading Revision Different Question Types

1. Int. 1 Close Reading Revision Different Question Types

2. Question Types: ·Showing Understanding ·Punctuation ·Formal and informal language ·Effective word choice ·Context questions ·Opening paragraphs ·Summary ·Structuring an argument ·Link questions ·Sentence structure ·Tone ·Anecdotes and illustrations ·Emotive language ·Using your own words ·Imagery ·Evaluation - Evaluating the whole passage - Evaluating the conclusion

3. Showing Understanding These questions simply test that you know what a writer means. Sometimes they will test your knowledge of single words or expressions. Other understanding questions will test your understanding by asking for 'evidence' (providing information from the passage which shows that you understand what the writer means). You should try and express this in your own words as far as possible. Check carefully how many marks are on offer or how many pieces of evidence you have been asked to provide.

4. Punctuation These questions deal with types of punctuation and their functions (reasons for use). For example: "Explain the function of the dash in line 11." You should know the following types and punctuation and their functions: commas , semi-colons ; colons : hyphens and dashes - inverted commas " " brackets () and other forms of parenthesis (commas and dashes)

5. Formal and Informal Language The spoken English used in everyday conversation can be described as informal language. We use: ·abbreviations (don't / haven't / we'd etc.) ·Slang expressions ('that's cool!') ·Personal pronouns (like 'I' and 'you' and 'we') Written language tends to be more formal: ·abbreviations are written in full (do not / cannot / we would etc.) ·word choice tends to be more precise, corrected and complicated ·tone will not be chatty or informal ·there is more emphasis on ideas or information than on feelings You should be able to identify whether a piece of writing is formal or informal and identify which features of the writing help you to decide.

6. Effective Word Choice These questions will ask you to comment on why a particular choice of word or phrase is effective. For example: "What is the effective of 'walking away with' rather than, say, 'winning' in line 11?" To answer this type of question you should consider the following things: ·why the writer has chosen that word instead of another with similar meaning ·what the connotations of the chosen words are

7. Context Questions These questions ask you to explain how a word's use helps you to explain its meaning. Even if you already know the meaning of the word, you will need to explain how its context makes the meaning clear. "Writing lets me peer over into that dark abyss of fear while knowing I can pull back any time." Explain what the writer means by 'abyss' and explain how the context helps you arrive at this meaning (2 marks).

8. Opening Paragraphs Newspaper and magazine articles (such as those used in Close Reading papers) need an opening that will arouse the reader's interest. Here are some methods used to achieve this: ·humorous comment ·anecdote ·personal experience ·surprising facts or statistics ·question to make the reader think ·summary of what will be discussed in rest of passage You may be asked to discuss the effectiveness of an opening paragraph, so will need to refer to any of the above methods if they are relevant.

9. Summary A summary question will ask you to provide a summary of information from part of the passage (often using a list). Points to remember: ·use own words as far as possible ·be as brief as possible ·use bullet points to show you have given the required number of ideas ·notes will do - full sentences not needed For example: "In your own words, list three drawbacks which the writer mentions concerning the system of payment in the multi-storey car-parks."

10. Structuring an argument Articles are structured - the writer links various points together. Here are some methods used to do this: ·Use of questions, followed by answers ·Use of topic sentences (general statements elaborated in the rest of the paragraph) ·Linking words and phrases You may be asked to explain how a writer has given their argument a structure.

11. Link Questions You might be asked how a sentence or a word provides a linking function in a passage. Good writers use linking sentences to make their writing flow - referring to the idea they have just been discussing, and also to the next idea to be dealt with. There are 4 stages to answering link questions: 1) Quote the word or words which refer to the previous topic 2) Explain, in your own words, what that topic was 3) Quote the word (or words) referring to the new topic 4) Explain in your own words what that new topic is

12. Sentence Structure Sentence structure refers to the way a sentence is made up and how its various elements are arranged (how it has been 'built'). You need to be able to identify features of sentence structure and explain their effects. STOP and think! Simple or complex sentences Type of sentence (statement / command / question / exclamation) Order of words Patterns / Punctuation (Parenthesis) lists I came, I saw, I conquered climax repetition

13. Tone The tone of something refers to the way in which it is said - how the writer's feelings or attitude to a topic are put across. The subject matter and tone are often linked. admiring sarcastic respectful ironic (saying the opposite of what you really mean) emotive (emotional & arousing emotion) angry affectionate reflective humorous / joking serious thoughtful disrespectful chatty tongue-in-cheek (pretending to take something seriously while slyly making fun of it) mocking

14. Anecdotes and Illustrations In close reading, an illustration has nothing to do with pictures! It is an example that helps make something clear. An anecdote is small story which acts as an illustration. Writers will often use an anecdote to begin or end an article, since such stories are interesting and entertaining to the reader as well as having the function of making a point in the argument clear. You might be asked to explain how an illustration / anecdote helps make a point clear.

15. Emotive Language Emotive language is language that aims to arouse emotions in the reader. It expresses extremes of feeling. you may be asked to describe and analyse this technique. word choice / metaphors / hyperbole are all techniques to look out for Here are some examples of emotionally neutral expressions with their emotive alternatives: very bad weather / appalling weather taking a risk / courting death commited / fanatical devotion

16. Using your own words It is important that you try to use your own words as far as possible in ALL the questions EXCEPT for those that ask you to quote from the passage. Copying your answers directly from the passage is called 'lifting' and you are likely to get no marks if you do this. You don't have to find an alternative for every single word. However there are simple rules to follow: ·don't lift phrases of three or more words (you can re-use single words) ·never repeat a simile or metaphor - always express it simply ·never use slang or informal language from the passage - make your expression formal ·avoid emotive language - try and use neutral expressions

17. Imagery The term image is used to refer to a descriptive word or phrase that involves some kind of comparison. It is likely to involve the use of one of three things: simile, metaphor or personification To explain why an image is a good one, you need to explain how it sheds light on the subject being discussed. Think about what is being compared and why; as well as any connotations.

18. Evaluating the passage You may be asked to show an appreciation of how effective the writer has been in achieving his or her purpose, whatever it may be (for instance: to provoke thought / to persuade / to be humorous) . Some questions might ask you to focus on a particular part of the passage, such as the conclusion or the introduction, while others will require you to look at the passage as a whole. (Look out for puns!) Whichever part of the passage you are evaluating, you will nearly always need to relate it to the rest of the passage. HANDY HINT! Examiners will have chosen your close reading text because they believe it IS effective - therefore you should always respond positively!