Enhancing Reading Comprehension and Analysis Skills

 
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National 5
 
Reading for UAE Skills
How we are going to achieve…
RUAE questions focus on three aspects...
 
1)
Understanding
2)
Analysis
3)
Evaluation
 
What the writer is saying (Understanding)
How the writer is saying it (Analysis)
How effectively he is saying it (Evaluation)
 
Revising RUAE at home:
Once you have the strategies you are able to practise
them at home.
You can complete past papers from the SQA website,
although I would hold off until later.
Best revision is reading Opinion, Comment or Voice
articles from news websites – aim for one a week.
Scotsman
The Herald
The Times
The Guardian
The Telegraph
Basic news articles do not express much opinion or
contain many rhetorical devices.
 
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1.
In your own words questions
2.
Summary question
3.
Linking questions
4.
Context questions
5.
Contrast questions
 
 
In your own words questions.
 
CONTENTS
CONTENTS
 
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There are two jobs to do for in 
your own words 
questions:
1)     Find the correct answer in the passage – LOCATE
2)     Turn it into your own words – TRANSLATE
 
 
Remember: LOCATE and TRANSLATE
 
In your own words
 
1.
The paddle steamer moved through the violent sea.
2.
Jane was ecstatic when the manager told her she was hired.
3.
I was furious when you let me down.
4.
They were exhausted after their sleepless night.
5.
 It was impossible to see through the shadows in the room.
6.
The mashed potatoes were delicious and lump-free.
7.
The film made us leap from our seats shrieking.
8.
The sand felt hot and powdery under our feet.
 
 
Own words Worked Example
 
Passage
No novel of the past century
 has had more influence than George
Orwell’s 
1984. 
The title, the adjectival form of the author’s last name, the
vocabulary of the all-powerful Party that rules the superstate Oceania with the
ideology of Ingsoc 
doublethink
memoryhole
, 
unperson
, 
thoughtcrime
, 
Newspeak
,
Thought Police
Room 101
Big Brother
—they’ve all entered the English language as
instantly recognizable signs of a nightmare future. It’s almost impossible to talk
about propaganda, surveillance, authoritarian politics, or perversions of truth
without dropping a reference to 
1984.
Question
Using your own words, identify the reasons the writer believes 
1984
 has had more
influence than any other book in the past century. 
(3)
 
Worked Example
 
Bad Answer
The title
the adjectival form of the author’s last name,
the vocabulary of the book
THIS IS A BAD ANSWER AS THEY HAVE QUOTED FROM THE PASSAGE
Good Answer
The reason the writer thinks the book is influential is because.:
The name of the book is very recognisable
The word ‘Orwellian’ is used as an adjective
The language used in the book is part of daily speech
 
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Many of the commentators I hear on television expressing their
opinions about football games leave me cold. I cannot be bothered
with their ill-informed, pompous and often irrelevant contributions. I
usually watch the games with the sound turned down.
Explain two reasons why the writer does not like football
commentators. (2)
 
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The most worrying thing about Big Brother is it has turned the
boredom of others into entertainment. It worries me that there seems
to be a demand for 24 hour coverage from “The House” and there is
constant footage of incredibly dull activities like housemates sleeping,
cooking or sitting on their own staring into space. What sort of nation
have we become when we are prepared to give up our own time to
watch others who are even more bored than we are?
Using your own words, explain why the writer finds Big Brother
worrying
”? (2)
 
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Scottish football went from a high – Aberdeen winning a European
trophy and the national team qualifying for five World Cup Finals in a
row – to a definite low. The reasons for the deterioration in the nation’s
standing in the footballing world? Chronic lack of investment in youth
football was one factor. The other is more profound – our unhealthy
diet and obsession with alcohol started to catch up with us as a nation,
particularly in terms of the athleticism (or lack of it) in our professional
footballers.
 
In your own words, describe the reasons for Scotland’s decline as a
footballing nation. (3)
 
Worked Example….
 
 
The topic of this text was ‘a notorious species of spider’, the tarantula,
and the narrator was the spider itself.
 
‘I’m nocturnal. I love the moonlight, the shadows, the dark places, the
dappled murk. I’m not being poetic. I’m simply being true to my
nature, my nocturnal nature. Like all tarantulas.’
 
Question:
 In your own words, in what way is the speaker ‘like all
tarantulas’ according to the first paragraph? (1 Mark)
 
There are two steps to answering a question of
this type.
 
Step One:
Look in the text for the information which will answer the question. In
this case, it is provided by the word ‘nocturnal’.
 
Step Two:
Express the information 
in your own words
 in a simple sentence
which fits the way the question is worded. In this example you had to
change from 1st person (‘I’) into 3rd person (‘the speaker’).
 
An acceptable answer to gain the mark would be:
 
‘The speaker is active by night.’
 
Remember, if you were simply to say ‘The speaker is nocturnal’ or ‘He
is nocturnal’ you would get no marks since you would have failed to
do step two, namely to 
use your own words.
Summary Question
 
CONTENTS
CONTENTS
 
 
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You must 
use your own words
.
 
You get no marks for quoting
.
 
You should 
use bullet points
 instead of writing in paragraphs.
 
Think: 
each bullet point is worth one mark.
 
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A crisis in the teaching profession means that the government is
investing in a massive advertising campaign to attract young graduates
in to the profession. “Many staff are simply at retirement age with not
enough trainees to take their place, said Kathy Field, a spokesperson for
the EIS, Scotland’s largest teaching union,” however graduates are
choosing other career paths with higher wages that are perceived as
being of a higher status. Some teacher have also come to the
conclusion that the hectic pace of modern education plus the challenge
of unruly pupils, means they are leaving the profession for other, easier
alternatives.”
 
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Summary Questions
 
Look out for the following...
 
Linking phrases (Firstly, On the other hand, However...)
Structure – paragraphs
Evidence – statistics and facts.
Effective language – metaphors, similes etc
 
Practice Question
 
Referring to the whole article, summarise the key advantages for
employers in hiring staff with autism. ( 5 marks)
 
HINT: None of the details in your answer should be specific to just
one employee. All the given details should be general advantages.
Linking questions
 
CONTENTS
CONTENTS
 
Linking questions
 
A linking sentence is one which links two paragraphs  together.
 
Usually this sentence will appear at the 
start of the second
 of the two paragraphs
which are being linked.
Look carefully at the sentence which is the link.
 
There will be 
two parts
 to this sentence:
 
 One part will link back to 
the content
 of the paragraph 
before
.
 
The other part of the sentence will link forward to the 
content
 of the 
new
paragraph.
 
Link Question formula
 
 
1.
Quote a word or phrase that links back to earlier in the
passage.
 
2.
Quote a word or phrase that link forward to what is to come
in the passage.
 
Remember!!! You will get no marks if you quote the
full link sentence!
 
Worked Example….
 
 
For example, a link question based on the news article about a
For example, a link question based on the news article about a
teenage computer curfew might be worded like this:
teenage computer curfew might be worded like this:
 
 
 
How does the sentence 
How does the sentence 
‘Needless to say, my efforts to explain this to
‘Needless to say, my efforts to explain this to
my daughter were pretty hapless.’ 
my daughter were pretty hapless.’ 
form a link between paragraphs 8
form a link between paragraphs 8
and 9?
and 9?
 
 
 
 
Especially for girls, with their intimate, gossipy, social the drive to remain as
Especially for girls, with their intimate, gossipy, social the drive to remain as
connected as possible with friends is overwhelming. Yet perversely, floating in an
connected as possible with friends is overwhelming. Yet perversely, floating in an
electronic sea has the deeper effect of depriving them of the habit of being
electronic sea has the deeper effect of depriving them of the habit of being
alone, developing their own thoughts.
alone, developing their own thoughts.
Needless to say, my efforts to explain this to my daughter were pretty hapless. I
Needless to say, my efforts to explain this to my daughter were pretty hapless. I
dredged up the example of the hostage Terry Waite who got through years
dredged up the example of the hostage Terry Waite who got through years
chained to a radiator in Beirut by the sheer strength of his interior life. My
chained to a radiator in Beirut by the sheer strength of his interior life. My
daughter listened politely, but her expression was incredulous. When was she
daughter listened politely, but her expression was incredulous. When was she
ever going to be chained to a radiator in Beirut?’
ever going to be chained to a radiator in Beirut?’
 
A good answer to this question would be:
 
1) 
1) 
The expression ‘to explain this’ 
The expression ‘to explain this’ 
links back 
links back 
to the previous paragraph
to the previous paragraph
which discusses the harmful effects of always being connected to your
which discusses the harmful effects of always being connected to your
phone
phone
 
2) 
2) 
The expression ‘my efforts were hapless’ 
The expression ‘my efforts were hapless’ 
 
 
links forward 
links forward 
to the writer’s
to the writer’s
attempt to explain the value of having an interior life and being an
attempt to explain the value of having an interior life and being an
individual to her daughter.
individual to her daughter.
 
Link Example
 
Show how the underlined sentence acts as a link at this point in the passage (2)
Her mother left her at the age of five. As a result, she was forced to fend for and
pay for herself: ensuring she had enough to eat; clothes to wear and shelter from
the elements.
Despite her harsh childhood, Emma’s ancestry linked her to wealth and social
standing.
 Her grandmother was Lady of the local clan, with a grand manse and
estate to her family name, which was renowned throughout the country.
Context Questions
 
 
Context Questions
 
You might be asked to show HOW the context helps us to understand
the meaning of a word.
This will usually be a two mark question: 1 for the meaning, 1 for how
the context helped you find the meaning.
 
 
Context Question Formula
 
The word/ expression ‘_____________’ as used here means
_______________.
 
 I can work this from the context because
___________________________________________________.
 
Context question practice
 
At Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospitals in London, an initiative was set up
two years ago to help people aged 18-30 with autism gain work
experience.
Staynton Brown, associated director of equality and diversity at the
hospital, dismissed any suggestion of the initiative being a
philanthropic one. ‘This is not a charitable gesture’, he said. ‘we want
to make sure we have the most talented workforce possible. It’s in our
interests in multiple ways. We’ve all benefited from the changes we’ve
incorporated to accommodate those with autism. By clarifying the way
we give information to and help introduce the interns into the hospital,
we’ve made communication clearer for everyone, which leads to better
patient care.
 
 
Context questions
How does the context of the second paragraph help you to work out
what is meant by ‘philanthropic’?
    
(2)
 
a)
 
The word ‘philanthropic’ as used here means done out of feelings of
charity or solely for the good of others.
I can work this out from the context because the expression is
followed with the idea that employing people with autism is not
‘charitable.’
Contrast questions
 
CONTENTS
CONTENTS
 
Contrast
 
Contrast
 is a technique often used by writers to differentiate between
two aspects of an argument, or two views of an issue.
 
It works by setting two things against each other
 and asking the
reader to see what the differences are.
 
Its 
effect
 is often to clarify a line of thought.
Formula
“x” suggests . . .
This contrasts with . . . “y” as it suggests . . .
 
Example 1
 
‘The supreme athlete and unique showman once deemed by Time magazine to
be the most instantly recognised human being in the world, struggled up from a
settee, tottered across the carpet and embraced me in an enveloping bear-hug.
Facially bloated he could speak only in brief, almost unintelligible gasps.’
 
By referring to these lines, show how the writer uses contrast to convey his shock
at meeting Muhammed Ali years later. (2)
 
Steps to consider
 
 
The easiest contrast to use
 here is probably between 
‘supreme athlete’
 and
any of the words which suggest that physically Ali was weak: 
‘struggled’,
‘tottered’.
 
Alternatively, you could take
 
‘unique showman’
 and contrast that with his
inability now to communicate or perform well: 
‘brief almost unintelligible
gasps’.
 
A third possibility would be
 to take 
‘the most instantly recognised’
 and
contrast that with 
‘facially bloated’.
 
Answer
 
The writer conveys his shock by contrasting Ali’s past
physical glory, the description ‘supreme athlete’ suggesting
that every muscle is honed and ready for combat, with the
very weak condition he is in now. ‘Struggled’ and ‘tottered’
suggest that his muscles will hardly hold him, that he is a
ruin of a man compared with what he once was.
 
Example Question
 
In days of old Bond was expected to save the world and get the girl
every time. When old smoothy, Sean Connery played 007, he seduced
women as frequently as he knocked back a dry martini or shot a
baddie-and with equally little thought. Bond girls of old were
accessories, serving only to highlight Bond’s macho aggressiveness
and control. Now the new girls match our hero shot for shot. They
lure Bond into the boudoir, they rescue him in the nick of time from a
speeding bullet and, shock horror- sometimes they even do it better!
 
Explain the difference between old Bond movies and more recent
films (2)
 
Section B - Analysis Questions (WIST)
 
Word Choice
 
Imagery
 
Structure
 
Tone
 
Word Choice
 
All words that a writer uses are chosen in some way, but when we talk
about word choice as a technique, we mean that certain words are
deliberately chosen to obtain particular effects or to suggest particular
meanings. (Not every word is word choice)
 
Most words have two levels of meaning, a denotation and a more
complex connotation.
 
Denotation – basic, simple, straightforward meaning.
Connotation – the ideas that a word suggests to you.
Word Choice: Connotations
 
Write down some synonyms for ‘thin’. Beside each one identify a couple of
connotations.
e.g. 
Slender – connotations of healthy and graceful
 
These words all essentially mean ‘thin’, but have massively different connotations.
 
Scrawny – connotations of underfed and sickly-looking
Slender – connotations of healthy and graceful
lean
 
- connotations of healthy and trim
Slim – neutral word, also positive like thin
Skinny – connotations of being unhealthy
Underweight – connotations of being insufficient
Word Choice: Connotations
 
Some words are flat and neutral: they don’t have connotations.
 
Betsy 
walked
 into the room.
 
What would the effect on this sentence be if ‘walked’ was changed to –
slouched
strode
crept
skipped
Waddled
 
‘The word slouched has connotations of laziness, carelessness, and untidiness.’
Word Choice: Connotations
 
Some words are flat and neutral: they don’t have connotations.
 
Betsy 
walked
 into the room.
 
What would the effect on this sentence be if ‘walked’ was changed to –
slouched
Strode – confident, arrogant
Crept – duplicitous, sneaky
Skipped – joyful, ecstatic
Waddled – timid, uncomfortable, clumsy
 
‘The word slouched has connotations of laziness, carelessness, and untidiness.’
 
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The boy was 
interrogated
 about his actions by his parents.
 
 
We have been 
bombarded
 with numerous images.
 
 
Many claimants have had their welfare payments 
axed.
 
 
The boy was 
interrogated
 about his actions by his parents.
D:
ask questions of (someone) closely, aggressively, or
formally.
C: asked persistently and in hostile manner
 
We have been 
bombarded
 with numerous images.
D: 
attack (a place or person) continuously with bombs/subject
(someone) to a continuous flow of questions, criticisms, or
information.
C: multiple things have been sent, continuously busy
 
Many claimants have had their welfare payments 
axed.
D: 
end, cancel, or dismiss suddenly and ruthlessly.
C: Done unfairly, insensitive, without consideration
Word Choice Formula
 
If you’re talking about word choice, you need to be able to select
a word (or short phrase) and then explain why it’s important.
‘word’
+
…has connotations of….
+
This suggests…
explanation of its connotations in your own words and link back
to the question.
 
Example 1 
The
 
missing part of the Cinderella story is
what happens when she puts on the glass slipper and
disappears into the palace.  Rowling filled in the blanks,
describing to Jeremy Paxman how she has to cope with
begging letters, journalists rifling through her bins,
photographers lurking on the beach, and strangers
accosting her in the supermarket.
Explain 
how
 the writer’s word choice in these lines helps to show the
negative effects of fame. (
4 marks
)
 
 
The writers word choice of ‘___________’  has connotations of
________, _________. This suggests ____________________...
 
Answer
 
Candidates should explain how the word choice shows the
negative effects of fame.
Any two of the following explanations with accurate analysis for
two marks each.
“begging letters” – implies unpleasant/unwanted attention
Journalists “rifling” through her bins – suggests invasion of
privacy/indiscriminate searching and/or unpleasant/unwanted
attention
Photographers “lurking” on the beach – implies
covert/hidden/suspicion/being observed from a distance and/or
unpleasant/unwanted attention
 
Answer
 
“Strangers” implies people she does not know giving
her unwanted attention
“Accosted” implies unwanted attention/a sense of
danger
“In the supermarket” implies she cannot perform
everyday tasks
 
Example 2
 
Look at lines 25-29.  Explain how the writer uses word
choice to emphasise how special the event is for
teenagers attending. 
     
4
 
Extract
 
By 6 pm, several 16-year-olds are standing in the
magisterial surroundings of the Pavilion Suite at Orsett
Hall.  The unceasing rain hasn’t dampened the
excitement as the teenagers flood in to inspect the
formally laid tables, helium balloons and glittery fairy
lights.  The prevailing smell is of hairspray and scent.
Friends who normally wear shapeless uniforms and dirty
trainers are transformed into exotic peacocks in huge-
skirted ball gowns, teetering heels and heavy make up.
 
Back to the question
 
Look at lines 25-29.  Explain how the writer uses word
choice to emphasise how special the event is for
teenagers attending. 
     
4
 
Answer
 
Candidates should explain how the word choice conveys
that the setting of the event and the appearance of the
teenagers are different form usual.
At least 2 examples with comments for full marks.
‘magisterial’ – connotations of something impressive,
luxurious, dignified
‘formally’ – implies a special occasion where everything
is done carefully/properly
‘transformed’ – suggests a complete change into
something almost recognisable
 
Answer
 
‘exotic peacocks’ -  ‘peacocks’ has connotations of
trying to show off, an elaborate, colourful appearance
etc.  ‘exotic’ suggests something rare, out of the
ordinary
‘shapeless uniforms’ – suggest something dull,
unattractive, unappealing – contrasts with what they
wear to the prom
‘dirty trainers’ – again, unglamorous, everyday,
unappealing – contrasts with ‘teetering heels’ etc.
 
Example 3
 
The following extract is taken from a passage which
considers the impact of texting on our language.
 
Show how any
 two 
examples of the writer’s word choice
in lines 18-23 make clear his belief that the critics of
texting are wrong. 
    
4
 
Extract
 
Research has made it clear that the early media hysteria
about the novelty (and thus the dangers) of text
messaging was misplaced.  People seem to have
swallowed whole the stories that youngsters use nothing
but abbreviations when they text, such as the reports
that a teenager had written an essay so full of textspeak
that the teacher was unable to understand it.  An extract
was posted online, and quoted incessantly, but, as no
one was ever able to track down the entire essay, it was
probably a hoax.
 
Back to the question
 
Show how any
 two 
examples of the writer’s word choice
in lines 18-23 make clear his belief that the critics of
texting are wrong. 
    
4
 
Answer
 
One mark for selection of word and one mark for
comment.  Any two of the following:
“hysteria” – suggests critics are in a panic, raising
irrational objections, overreacting etc.
“swallowed whole” – suggests critics gullibility etc.
“stories”/”reports” – suggests critics are prepared to
believe unfounded accounts
“incessantly” – suggests critics are obsessive, relentless,
won’t stop to consider other arguments
“hoax” – suggests critics are prepared to believe
something made up.
 
I
m
a
g
e
r
y
 
Q
u
e
s
t
i
o
n
s
 
Writers use images to strengthen what they say by putting all sorts
of pictures in the reader’s mind.
 
Imagery is not the same thing as description. A description tells us
what something is like
.
 
An imagery question will cover:
Simile
Metaphor or
Personification
IMAGERY
 
 
A
 
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.
He was as hard as a brick
 
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.
The back line was a wall. The team parked the bus during the game.
 
P
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The tree danced in the wind.
The stairs groaned under the passing feet
 
Personification
 
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i
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e.g. Lightning danced across the sky.
Imagery
 
1.
The inside of the old man’s head was like a dusty old attic full of bric-a-
brac.
2.
My alarm clock yells at me every morning.
3.
My heart leapt like a salmon throwing itself up a waterfall.
4.
As the band began to play, the sound erupted around the hall.
5.
The young boy snaked along the corridor.
6.
The pain in my stomach was like a hundred rats gnawing at my guts.
7.
Rita heard the last piece of pie calling her name.
8.
The stairs groaned as we walked on them.
 
 
 
 
1.The inside of the old man’s head was like a dusty old attic full of bric-a-brac.
Simile
2.My alarm clock yells at me every morning.
Personification
3.My heart leapt like a salmon throwing itself up a waterfall.
Simile
4.As the band began to play, the sound erupted around the hall.
Personification
5.The young boy snaked along the corridor.
Metaphor
6.The pain in my stomach was like a hundred rats gnawing at my guts.
Simile
7.Rita heard the last piece of pie calling her name.
Personification
8.The stairs groaned as we walked on them.
Personification
 
 
 
 
When you answer you should use the formula
below:
 
There is a method for analysing images.
 
You begin with what the image literally is like, or literally means. Then
you go on to the metaphorical meaning, showing how that image
applies to and adds meaning to the subject under discussion.
 
1) 
Explain the comparison
 / identify technique
2) 
Just as ... 
(explain the literal meaning), 
 
So
too ... 
(explain the metaphorical meaning
).
3) Link to task (This suggests…)
For Example…
 
1) The writer uses a metaphor to compare his
1) The writer uses a metaphor to compare his
work load to a mountain.
work load to a mountain.
2) 
2) 
Just as a mountain is large and is challenging
Just as a mountain is large and is challenging
to climb, so too is the amount of work he has to
to climb, so too is the amount of work he has to
do.
do.
 
3) This suggests that the man’s workload is
3) This suggests that the man’s workload is
enormous and will be really difficult to complete.
enormous and will be really difficult to complete.
 
Worked Example….
 
 
 
‘Jonathan Young has big plans for his career. The business analyst at Goldman Sachs is
on the autistic spectrum. But this, he says, is not something he allows to hold him
back.
 
‘I’m the company’s global go-to guy for all the information used in every single one of
our presentations; he says. ‘I’m moving up the ladder every year in terms of
responsibility or promotion. My ambition is to maintain this momentum.  In 10 years,
I want to be someone fairly big.’
 
Here’s an imagery question about this extract:
 
1. Comment on the imagery used here in the second paragraph. (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Full Answer
 
‘Jonathan Young compares his progress at work to climbing a ladder.
Just as climbing a ladder takes you higher, so Young is moving up and
being promoted within the company.  This suggests that Young is
making significant progress in his career.’
 
A state the comparison: ‘Jonathan Young compares his progress at work to climbing
a ladder.’
 
B analyse the image: ‘Just as climbing a ladder takes you higher, so too Young is
moving up and being promoted within the company.
 
C say what the image shows: This suggests that Young is making significant progress
in his career.’
Model Example 1
 
Question:1
Question:1
 Look at the following image: ‘vanish to the margins’ (paragraph 1)
 Look at the following image: ‘vanish to the margins’ (paragraph 1)
Explain what the image means and analyse its effect.
Explain what the image means and analyse its effect.
Model Example 2
 
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.
 
Just as an embrace is a close,
enfolding hug, so too technology
has a tight hold of teenagers.
 
This shows that technology is
considered very important to
teenagers – they rely on it.
 
Model Example 3
 
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A
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.
 
Just as a swimmer has the sea all
around them, so teenagers are
surrounded on every side by
technology.
 
This shows that they are in
danger of being overwhelmed by
the technology in their lives.
 
Model Example 4
 
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Model Example 5
 
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Model Example
 
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.
 
Sentence Structure Formula
 
Sentence structure is how a sentence is made and
built up 
and how the various elements are arranged.
 
 
Identify the sentence structure feature and quote
Explain its effect on the reader – link back to task
 
Step One:
 
 
Look out for the 
types of sentence 
the writer uses.
 
Here are the main types and the effect each type is likely to have:
1
)
 
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.
 
They end in a full stop.
Most sentences are statements, so it is
usually if other types of sentence are used
that you will need to comment.
Writing which is made up of statements
alone may have a calm 
or impersonal tone.
2
)
 
Q
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s
 
 
a
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k
 
s
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t
h
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g
.
 
 
They always end with a question mark.
Using questions may challenge the reader, or
show uncertainty in the writer.
Look out for 
rhetorical questions
, which do not
expect an answer. They create what is called an
emotive tone, 
which simply means one which
stirs up feelings or emotions.
3
)
 
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.
 
‘Think of a number’. 
They end with either a
full stop or an exclamation mark.
They are often used in advertisements or
where the writer tries to 
create the effect of
talking directly to the reader
4
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.
 
Exclamations do not always contain verbs. They
often begin with ‘What’ or ‘How’, and end in
either an exclamation mark or a full stop.
Exclamations may also create an emotive or
dramatic tone.
 
5
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r
b
.
 
 
Since they are abbreviations of other types of
sentence they may end in a full stop or a question
mark.
‘What now?’ ‘Oh no.’ Such sentences will be very
short and may create a tense or dramatic mood.
They are typical of 
informal language 
and may
be used in direct speech, notes or diary entries.
 
Sentence Types
 
1.
Are we doing enough to combat the benefit crisis?
2.
Stop what you are doing Mark!
3.
I couldn’t believe what she had told me!
4.
Is there anything more we could be doing to help?
5.
What a place.
6.
Over 30% of people agreed with the politician’s views.
7.
If we do not act now we will forever regret it.
8.
Goodness gracious, I can’t believe it!
 
Sentence Types
 
1.
Are we doing enough to combat the benefit crisis? Question
2.
Stop what you are doing Mark! Command
3.
I couldn’t believe what she had told me! Exclamation
4.
Is there anything more we could be doing to help? Question
5.
What a place. Minor sentence
6.
Over 30% of people agreed with the politician’s views. Statement
7.
If we do not act now we will forever regret it. Command
8.
Goodness gracious, I can’t believe it! Exclamation
 
 
 
You will never be asked to identify types
of sentence, you will always be asked to
explain the effect of choosing particular
sentence  types.  This is only possible
when you know the full context.
 
Step Two - length:
 
Consider whether sentences are long
and complex or short and simple.
 
Long/ Complex Sentences
 
 
Long sentences containing several verbs and therefore several
clauses are called complex. 
These are typical of written English,
and usually, 
the more complex the sentences, the more formal
the language.
 
e.g., It/s merely to suspect that physicians marry quality with
quantity when they judge how far to intervene.
 
Simple Sentences
 
Sentences with only one verb are called simple. 
These
are typical of speech and types of language which aim
to communicate very quickly and directly.
 
Usually, short sentences are 
dramatic, have an impact
on the reader
, make a point in a simple or direct – or
even brutal – way.
 
Long Vs Short Sentences
 
1.    
We looked out over the battlefield.  This was it.
 
Comment on the use of sentence structure in this part of the message. (2)
 
2.
Be careful.  That is all I have to say.
 
Comment on the use of sentence structure in this part of the text. (2)
 
Long Vs Short Sentences
 
1.    
We looked out over the battlefield.  This was it.
 
Comment on the use of sentence structure in this part of the message. (2)
The use of the short sentence emphasises the place the people are at is important –
even deadly, as it is a battlefield.
 
2.
Be careful.  That is all I have to say.
 
Comment on the use of sentence structure in this part of the text. (2)
 
The use of the declarative sentence emphasises the person’s command to ‘be careful’
as it states this is all they want to say.
 
Share with your partner something you read
over the summer holiday.
 
It doesn’t have to be books, as I know this is
rather rare (prove me wrong).
 
Step Three:
 
Look at the 
arrangement of words within the sentence, 
particularly in longer
ones.
 
Some of the following features may be worth commenting on.
 
A) Word Order
B) Particular Patterns in Sentences
C
) Parenthesis
D
) First or Third person
E
) Punctuation
A) Word Order
 
The best advice is that anything unusual probably deserves a comment.
 
A reversal of the normal word order is known as 
inversion
,
e.g., ‘
back we went
’ instead of ‘we went back’.
 
Using inversion throws emphasis on to a particular part of the sentence 
— in this
example it is the word ‘back’ which is stressed.
 
The boy hit the ball into the garden.
The ball was hit by the boy into the garden.
The garden was where the boy hit the ball.
  
What difference does the word order make?
 
Word Order - Examples
 
1.
Gold was all I could see around me in the cave.
 
Comment on the use of sentence structure in this part of the message.
(2)
 
 
Word Order - Examples
 
1.
Gold was all I could see around me in the cave.
 
Comment on the use of sentence structure in this part of the sentence.
(2)
Using inversion
, the writer 
places emphasis on the word ‘gold’ to show
it was the most prominent item
 the person could see.
 
 
B) Particular Patterns in Sentences
 
 
Two patterns are specially common:
list
repetition
 
Julius Caesar’s legendary saying ‘I came, I saw, I conquered’ is an example of both of these
techniques at once.
 
The 
list
 of verbs ‘came, saw and conquered’ creates a sense of action.
 
The 
repetition 
of the personal pronoun ‘I’ suggests a speaker who is egotistical and
dominating.
 
Lists/ Repetition
 
1.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up … I have a
dream that my four little children one day will live in a nation.
 
2.
Where are the heroes of today?  Where are they now?
 
3.
 The film had a weak storyline, unrealistic characters, sentimental
music
 
and a highly dodgy message.
 
4.
The shrieks of the prisoners, the stink of their clothes, the foul air in
the cells and the feeling of despair almost overwhelmed him.
 
C) Parenthesis
 
 
A 
parenthesis
 is an extra piece of information inserted into
a sentence and enclosed by a pair of 
commas, brackets or
dashes.
 
A 
parenthesis
 may be a single word, a phrase or a whole
clause.
 
An Example…
 
Indeed, 
parenthesis
 may make the meaning clearer, by
adding an explanation or clarifying detail:
 
e.g., ‘A girl, not in her class, called Judith, giggled.’
 
In this example from The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, the first
parenthesis implies a reason why the girl giggled, while the
second makes clear which girl it was.
 
Parenthesis
 
1.
The travellers returned – exhausted but triumphant – from their
journey.
 
2. The frog goes through various stages – egg, tadpole and froglet –
        before finally reaching maturity.
 
3. Even if the major powers tried to cut down pollution – and they
            won’t – we cannot stop global warming.
 
 
D) First or Third person
 
Does the text use pronouns such as I, me and we — first
person?
 
Or does it use he, she and they — third person?
 
Although this may not be considered strictly a matter of
structure, you will often be given credit for making a
comment on the choice of ‘person’ a writer makes.
 
E) Punctuation
 
Commas (,)
 
separates phrases and clauses within a sentence.
 
A number of commas may well 
indicate a list.
A colon (:)
 
introduces a quotation or a list; an explanation or elaboration;
or a summing up.
A semi-colon (;)
 
finishes off one part of a sentence. it may be used instead
of a conjunction to separate two principal clauses in a sentence.
Inverted commas
 (‘’)(“”)
mark quotations, direct speech, foreign words or
words used in an unusual way. 
(Italics may sometimes be used similarly.)
A dash (—)
 
can function like a colon to introduce a quotation, list,
explanation, elaboration or summing up; two dashes can mark off a
parenthesis.
 (In typography, a dash is longer than a hyphen.)
A hyphen (-)
 
joins two words to make a compound word, or indicates a
split word at the end of a line
.
 
Comment on Sentence Structure
 
1)
Before we go on holiday, I have to pack the cases, take the dog to the
kennels, make up a packed lunch for travelling, check we have our tickets
and phone for a taxi to the airport
.
2)
We face many problems – war, poverty, starvation, and drugs – in the
world today.
3)
I was filled with hate, hate such as I’d never felt before, hate I never knew
I could feel.
4)
I will never understand what you did. Never.
5)
In all my days working with him, I have never seen him be rude to
another worker or take advantage of someone’s kindness because he is
always helpful and goes out of his way to be understanding if anyone is
in trouble.
6)
Crowds of people was all I could see around me in the busy town centre.
 
Example
 
Vanity Fair 
(a monthly print owned by Conde Naste) has long been
associated with the more liberal side of American politics. With
writer and journalist Christopher Hitches as a regular guest editor,
the magazine stirred controversy within the tea party alliance,
bible-belters and the gentler Republicans.  The magazine loves
controversy. Their features on waterboarding; Guantanamo Bay;
political commentary; scathing criticisms of governmental policy
and of all things, the latest fashions, often offered very mixed views
and opinions. This ensures that it is never a dull read.
What features of
sentence structure can
you identify?
 
Example
 
Vanity Fair 
(a monthly print owned by Conde Naste) 
has long been
associated with the more liberal side of American politics. 
With
writer and journalist Christopher Hitches as a regular guest editor,
the magazine stirred controversy within the tea party alliance,
bible-belters and the gentler Republicans.  The magazine loves
controversy. 
Their features on waterboarding
; 
Guantanamo Bay
;
political commentary
;
 scathing criticisms of governmental policy
and of all things
, the latest fashions, 
often offered very mixed views
and opinions. This ensures that it is never a dull read.
What features of
sentence structure can
you identify?
 
Your apartment is an electronic orchestra and you are the conductor. With
simple flicks of the wrist and spoken instructions, you can control
temperature, humidity, ambient music and lighting. You are able to skim
through the day’s news on translucent screens while a freshly cleaned suit is
retrieved from your automated closet. You head to the kitchen for breakfast
and the translucent news display follows, as a projected hologram hovering
just in front of you. You grab a mug of coffee and a fresh pastry, cooked to
perfection in your humidity – controlled oven, and skim new emails on a
holographic tablet projected in front of you. Your central computer system
suggests a list of chores your housekeeping robots should tackle today, all of
which you approve.
 
1.
How does the sentence structure of this paragraph contribute to a
conversational tone throughout?
2.
Show how the sentence structure suggests that technology will make
future life straightforward?
 
Examples
 
1.
How does the sentence structure of this paragraph contribute to a
conversational tone throughout?
The writers repeatedly uses ‘you’ or ‘your’ at the start of the sentence. This
creates the impression that they are talking directly to the reader.
 
2. Show how the structure of the second sentence suggests that technology
will make future life straightforward?
 
The writer lists a number of things we will be able to control: ‘temperature,
humidity, ambient music and lighting’. This suggests that everything in life
will be easily controlled, and that life will be therefore straightforward.
 
Tone
 
Tone refers to the 
attitude
 that a writer conveys towards a subject.
 
When you hear someone speaking, you can tell if he/she is angry, confused,
sad, excited.
 
These tones are created by factors such as volume, the speed of speech,
which words the speaker puts emphasis on and how fluently or hesitantly
the words come out.
 
We can identify tone in written English through 
word choice, imagery,
sentence structure and other literary techniques
.
 
Tone
Word Bank
 
Angry
 
How to identify the tone
 
Word Choice – Positive or negative connotations
Imagery - comparisons
Contrast
Punctuation – exclamation marks, question marks
Short sentences
Long sentences
Repetition
Exaggeration (hyperbole)
 
Tone Formula
 
1.
Identify the tone (If it hasn’t been done for you)
2.
Identify words/ a technique used to create the tone and quote it.
3.
Explain how the technique you have quoted creates the tone and
how it links back to the question.
 
Tone – Practice Questions
 
Copy out the following sentences into your jotter. Identify the tone
conveyed in each sentence 
and
 explain how the writer helps you to
understand tone.
 
1.
‘That boy is like a nightmare,’ sighed Mr Smith.
2.
‘Is that supposed to look nice?’ he sneered.
3.
‘Rachel! You’re an angel!’ her mother beamed.
4.
‘I...I....I don’t want to go into that house,’ he stuttered.
 
Use of Language Questions (WIST)
 
Word Choice
 
Imagery
 
Structure
 
Tone
 
Use of Language Example
 
 
Revision - Formulas
 
IYOW/ Summarising – Use bullet points depending on marks/ Locate and
Translate
Context Questions – Explain the meaning and show how you got it from
the context.
Link Questions – Quote, Link back, Quote, link forward.
Word Choice Questions – Identify the word, explain connotations and refer
back to question.
Imagery – Explain the comparison, give literal meaning (connotations) and
metaphorical meaning (just as...so too...)
Sentence Structure – Identify feature and explain the effect.
Tone – Identify the tone, quote, explain how the words. Feature you have
chosen creates the tone.
 
 
 
Section C - Evaluation
 
  Evaluation questions involve you making a
judgement.
 
 You have to judge how effective a particular technique
or strategy employed by the writer is.
 
3 main Types
 
1.
How effective do you find…… techniques like
imagery, word choice or tone.
 
2.
 How effective do you find…… an
example/illustration, or anecdote (experience).
 
3.
Effective Openings/ Conclusions
 
Effectiveness of a Technique
 
This type of evaluation involves analysis.
If you are asked to discuss the effectiveness of an image/ wordchoice/
sentence structure you should firstly follow the strategy for answering
analysis questions then  give your overall judgement of the
effectiveness of the image i.e was it very effective? Not effective at
all? Partially effective?
 
 
I found this image effective as it emphasises...
 
I found this use of sentence structure effective because it emphasises
the writer’s argument...
 
I found the use of powerful word choice effective because...
 
Effectiveness of an Example/Illustration
 
This type of evaluation involves understanding.
You must show how the particular illustration/example used makes
the writer’s point clearer.
Remember an illustration is often used to help explain a difficult point
the writer is making. Sometimes an abstract idea is given a concrete
example so that the reader can more easily grasp what is happening.
 
The Strategy
 
Explain the idea the writer is trying to put across.
Describe the illustration/example he uses to help readers understand.
Explain how the example makes the original point clearer.
Say how effective you think the particular example was.
 
Example
 
According to Steve Hall, ‘ One moment we could be basking in a Mediterranean climate and the
next icebergs could be floating down the English channel’. It would take just one quarter of 1%
more fresh water flowing into the North Atlantic from melting Artic glaciers to bring the
northwards flow of the Gulf Stream to a halt.’
And in August this year, a tremor of apprehension ran through the scientific community when the
Russian ice-breaker Yamal, on a tourist cruise of the Artic, muscled its way through the unusually
thin ice to the North Pole to find itself sailing serenely into an astonishingly clear blue sea. It was
the first time the effects of global warming had been seen so far North.
 
In the context of global warming how effective do you find the writer’s story about the Yamal?
 
Answer
 
The story about the Yamal sailing on the Artic was extremely effective in bringing home the
effects of global warming on the environment. The contrast  between ‘muscled’ and ‘ serenely’
clearly emphasises the shocking extent of global warming as it shows how quickly the ice has
melted into clear blue waters.. It backs up Steve Hall’s point that the disaster situation is closer
than we might think.
 
Effective Conclusions
 
To answer a question like this you need to have a clear idea of what
makes an effective conclusion.
You need to make a judgement about whether or not the conclusion
is effective.
You need to be able to justify this judgement using your knowledge of
effective conclusions.
 
Approach: Identify and explain!
Effective conclusion
Things to Look For
 
A summing up of ideas
Rounding off of incident
Structure building to a climax
A link to the opening
A link to ideas from earlier in the text
There is a contrast to ideas from earlier
A literary technique such as a pun, alliteration, simile, metaphor,
personification used to draw attention to ideas.
 
 
Finally
 
Evaluation is all about making a judgement and being able to justify
that judgement through discussing the ideas or techniques of the
passage.
Whilst you are free to argue that a technique/ illustration/ conclusion
is ineffective, remember the pieces of writing you are analysing have
been selected because they are effective pieces of writing.
 
Close Reading – Advice
 
 
Read the passage through before looking at the questions.
 
Take note of the marks given and use this to guide you on the length
of your answers.
 
Use bullet points as much as possible.
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Enhance your Reading for Understanding, Analysis, and Evaluation (RUAE) skills through targeted strategies such as practicing with past papers, reading opinion articles, and mastering techniques for answering different question types. Focus on understanding, analyzing, and evaluating text to improve your overall reading proficiency.

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  1. Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation RUAE Jotter RUAE Jotter National 5

  2. Reading for UAE Skills How we are going to achieve

  3. RUAE questions focus on three aspects... 1) Understanding 2) Analysis 3) Evaluation Revising RUAE at home: Once you have the strategies you are able to practise them at home. You can complete past papers from the SQA website, although I would hold off until later. What the writer is saying (Understanding) How the writer is saying it (Analysis) How effectively he is saying it (Evaluation) Best revision is reading Opinion, Comment or Voice articles from news websites aim for one a week. Scotsman The Herald The Times The Guardian The Telegraph Basic news articles do not express much opinion or contain many rhetorical devices.

  4. Section A Section A - - Understanding Questions Understanding Questions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. In your own words questions Summary question Linking questions Context questions Contrast questions

  5. In your own words questions. CONTENTS CONTENTS

  6. In your own words Question - - Formula Formula There are two jobs to do for in your own words questions: 1) Find the correct answer in the passage LOCATE 2) Turn it into your own words TRANSLATE Remember: LOCATE and TRANSLATE

  7. Own words Worked Example Passage NONOVELOFTHEPASTCENTURY has had more influence than George Orwell s 1984. The title, the adjectival form of the author s last name, the vocabulary of the all-powerful Party that rules the superstate Oceania with the ideology of Ingsoc doublethink, memoryhole, unperson, thoughtcrime, Newspeak, Thought Police, Room 101, Big Brother they ve all entered the English language as instantly recognizable signs of a nightmare future. It s almost impossible to talk about propaganda, surveillance, authoritarian politics, or perversions of truth without dropping a reference to 1984. Question Using your own words, identify the reasons the writer believes 1984 has had more influence than any other book in the past century. (3)

  8. Worked Example Bad Answer The title the adjectival form of the author s last name, the vocabulary of the book THIS IS A BAD ANSWER AS THEY HAVE QUOTED FROM THE PASSAGE Good Answer The reason the writer thinks the book is influential is because.: The name of the book is very recognisable The word Orwellian is used as an adjective The language used in the book is part of daily speech

  9. Practice Example 1 Practice Example 1 Many of the commentators I hear on television expressing their opinions about football games leave me cold. I cannot be bothered with their ill-informed, pompous and often irrelevant contributions. I usually watch the games with the sound turned down. Explain two reasons why the writer does not like football commentators. (2)

  10. Practice Example 2 Practice Example 2 The most worrying thing about Big Brother is it has turned the boredom of others into entertainment. It worries me that there seems to be a demand for 24 hour coverage from The House and there is constant footage of incredibly dull activities like housemates sleeping, cooking or sitting on their own staring into space. What sort of nation have we become when we are prepared to give up our own time to watch others who are even more bored than we are? Using your own words, explain why the writer finds Big Brother worrying ? (2)

  11. Practice Example 3 Practice Example 3 Scottish football went from a high Aberdeen winning a European trophy and the national team qualifying for five World Cup Finals in a row to a definite low. The reasons for the deterioration in the nation s standing in the footballing world? Chronic lack of investment in youth football was one factor. The other is more profound our unhealthy diet and obsession with alcohol started to catch up with us as a nation, particularly in terms of the athleticism (or lack of it) in our professional footballers. In your own words, describe the reasons for Scotland s decline as a footballing nation. (3)

  12. Summary Question CONTENTS CONTENTS

  13. Summary Question One key skill the examiners want you to have is the ability to follow, and summarise, a key idea or line of thought running throughout an article or passage. You can expect that the final question in the exam paper will test your ability to do this.

  14. How to answer How to answer You must use your own words. You get no marks for quoting. You should use bullet points instead of writing in paragraphs. Think: each bullet point is worth one mark.

  15. Worked Example Worked Example A crisis in the teaching profession means that the government is investing in a massive advertising campaign to attract young graduates in to the profession. Many staff are simply at retirement age with not enough trainees to take their place, said Kathy Field, a spokesperson for the EIS, Scotland s largest teaching union, however graduates are choosing other career paths with higher wages that are perceived as being of a higher status. Some teacher have also come to the conclusion that the hectic pace of modern education plus the challenge of unruly pupils, means they are leaving the profession for other, easier alternatives. Summarise why there are a shortage of teachers in Scotland (3 marks) Summarise why there are a shortage of teachers in Scotland (3 marks)

  16. Linking questions CONTENTS CONTENTS

  17. Linking questions A linking sentence is one which links two paragraphs together. Usually this sentence will appear at the start of the second of the two paragraphs which are being linked. Look carefully at the sentence which is the link. There will be two parts to this sentence: One part will link back to the content of the paragraph before. The other part of the sentence will link forward to the content of the new paragraph.

  18. Link Question formula 1. Quote a word or phrase that links back to earlier in the passage. 2. Quote a word or phrase that link forward to what is to come in the passage. Remember!!! You will get no marks if you quote the full link sentence!

  19. Worked Example. For example, a link question based on the news article about a teenage computer curfew might be worded like this: How does the sentence Needless to say, my efforts to explain this to my daughter were pretty hapless. form a link between paragraphs 8 and 9?

  20. Especially for girls, with their intimate, gossipy, social the drive to remain as connected as possible with friends is overwhelming. Yet perversely, floating in an electronic sea has the deeper effect of depriving them of the habit of being alone, developing their own thoughts. Needless to say, my efforts to explain this to my daughter were pretty hapless. I dredged up the example of the hostage Terry Waite who got through years chained to a radiator in Beirut by the sheer strength of his interior life. My daughter listened politely, but her expression was incredulous. When was she ever going to be chained to a radiator in Beirut?

  21. A good answer to this question would be: 1) The expression to explain this links back to the previous paragraph which discusses the harmful effects of always being connected to your phone 2) The expression my efforts were hapless links forward to the writer s attempt to explain the value of having an interior life and being an individual to her daughter.

  22. Link Example Show how the underlined sentence acts as a link at this point in the passage (2) Her mother left her at the age of five. As a result, she was forced to fend for and pay for herself: ensuring she had enough to eat; clothes to wear and shelter from the elements. Despite her harsh childhood, Emma s ancestry linked her to wealth and social standing. Her grandmother was Lady of the local clan, with a grand manse and estate to her family name, which was renowned throughout the country.

  23. Context Questions

  24. Context Questions You might be asked to show HOW the context helps us to understand the meaning of a word. This will usually be a two mark question: 1 for the meaning, 1 for how the context helped you find the meaning.

  25. Context Question Formula The word/ expression _____________ as used here means _______________. I can work this from the context because ___________________________________________________.

  26. Context question practice At Guy s and St Thomas hospitals in London, an initiative was set up two years ago to help people aged 18-30 with autism gain work experience. Staynton Brown, associated director of equality and diversity at the hospital, dismissed any suggestion of the initiative being a philanthropic one. This is not a charitable gesture , he said. we want to make sure we have the most talented workforce possible. It s in our interests in multiple ways. We ve all benefited from the changes we ve incorporated to accommodate those with autism. By clarifying the way we give information to and help introduce the interns into the hospital, we ve made communication clearer for everyone, which leads to better patient care.

  27. Context questions How does the context of the second paragraph help you to work out what is meant by philanthropic ? (2)

  28. a) The word philanthropic as used here means done out of feelings of charity or solely for the good of others. I can work this out from the context because the expression is followed with the idea that employing people with autism is not charitable.

  29. Contrast questions CONTENTS CONTENTS

  30. Contrast Contrast is a technique often used by writers to differentiate between two aspects of an argument, or two views of an issue. It works by setting two things against each other and asking the reader to see what the differences are. Its effect is often to clarify a line of thought. Formula x suggests . . . This contrasts with . . . y as it suggests . . .

  31. Example 1 The supreme athlete and unique showman once deemed by Time magazine to be the most instantly recognised human being in the world, struggled up from a settee, tottered across the carpet and embraced me in an enveloping bear-hug. Facially bloated he could speak only in brief, almost unintelligible gasps. By referring to these lines, show how the writer uses contrast to convey his shock at meeting Muhammed Ali years later. (2)

  32. Steps to consider The easiest contrast to use here is probably between supreme athlete and any of the words which suggest that physically Ali was weak: struggled , tottered . Alternatively, you could take unique showman and contrast that with his inability now to communicate or perform well: brief almost unintelligible gasps . A third possibility would be to take the most instantly recognised and contrast that with facially bloated .

  33. Answer The writer conveys his shock by contrasting Ali s past physical glory, the description supreme athlete suggesting that every muscle is honed and ready for combat, with the very weak condition he is in now. Struggled and tottered suggest that his muscles will hardly hold him, that he is a ruin of a man compared with what he once was.

  34. Example Question In days of old Bond was expected to save the world and get the girl every time. When old smoothy, Sean Connery played 007, he seduced women as frequently as he knocked back a dry martini or shot a baddie-and with equally little thought. Bond girls of old were accessories, serving only to highlight Bond s macho aggressiveness and control. Now the new girls match our hero shot for shot. They lure Bond into the boudoir, they rescue him in the nick of time from a speeding bullet and, shock horror- sometimes they even do it better! Explain the difference between old Bond movies and more recent films (2)

  35. Section B - Analysis Questions (WIST) Word Choice Imagery Structure Tone

  36. Word Choice All words that a writer uses are chosen in some way, but when we talk about word choice as a technique, we mean that certain words are deliberately chosen to obtain particular effects or to suggest particular meanings. (Not every word is word choice) Most words have two levels of meaning, a denotation and a more complex connotation. Denotation basic, simple, straightforward meaning. Connotation the ideas that a word suggests to you.

  37. Word Choice: Connotations Write down some synonyms for thin . Beside each one identify a couple of connotations. e.g. Slender connotations of healthy and graceful These words all essentially mean thin , but have massively different connotations. Scrawny connotations of underfed and sickly-looking Slender connotations of healthy and graceful lean - connotations of healthy and trim Slim neutral word, also positive like thin Skinny connotations of being unhealthy Underweight connotations of being insufficient

  38. Word Choice: Connotations Some words are flat and neutral: they don t have connotations. Betsy walked into the room. What would the effect on this sentence be if walked was changed to slouched strode crept skipped Waddled The word slouched has connotations of laziness, carelessness, and untidiness.

  39. Word Choice: Connotations Some words are flat and neutral: they don t have connotations. Betsy walked into the room. What would the effect on this sentence be if walked was changed to slouched Strode confident, arrogant Crept duplicitous, sneaky Skipped joyful, ecstatic Waddled timid, uncomfortable, clumsy The word slouched has connotations of laziness, carelessness, and untidiness.

  40. Task One: Read the statements and identify the Task One: Read the statements and identify the denotation and connotation of the words underlined. denotation and connotation of the words underlined. The boy was interrogated about his actions by his parents. We have been bombarded with numerous images. Many claimants have had their welfare payments axed.

  41. The boy was interrogated about his actions by his parents. D:ask questions of (someone) closely, aggressively, or formally. C: asked persistently and in hostile manner We have been bombarded with numerous images. D: attack (a place or person) continuously with bombs/subject (someone) to a continuous flow of questions, criticisms, or information. C: multiple things have been sent, continuously busy Many claimants have had their welfare payments axed. D: end, cancel, or dismiss suddenly and ruthlessly. C: Done unfairly, insensitive, without consideration

  42. Word Choice Formula If you re talking about word choice, you need to be able to select a word (or short phrase) and then explain why it s important. word + has connotations of . + This suggests explanation of its connotations in your own words and link back to the question.

  43. Example 1 Themissing part of the Cinderella story is what happens when she puts on the glass slipper and disappears into the palace. Rowling filled in the blanks, describing to Jeremy Paxman how she has to cope with begging letters, journalists rifling through her bins, photographers lurking on the beach, and strangers accosting her in the supermarket. Explain howthe writer s word choice in these lines helps to show the negative effects of fame. (4 marks) The writers word choice of ___________ has connotations of ________, _________. This suggests ____________________...

  44. Answer Candidates should explain how the word choice shows the negative effects of fame. Any two of the following explanations with accurate analysis for two marks each. begging letters implies unpleasant/unwanted attention Journalists rifling through her bins suggests invasion of privacy/indiscriminate searching and/or unpleasant/unwanted attention Photographers lurking on the beach implies covert/hidden/suspicion/being observed from a distance and/or unpleasant/unwanted attention

  45. Answer Strangers implies people she does not know giving her unwanted attention Accosted implies unwanted attention/a sense of danger In the supermarket implies she cannot perform everyday tasks

  46. Example 2 Look at lines 25-29. Explain how the writer uses word choice to emphasise how special the event is for teenagers attending. 4

  47. Extract By 6 pm, several 16-year-olds are standing in the magisterial surroundings of the Pavilion Suite at Orsett Hall. The unceasing rain hasn t dampened the excitement as the teenagers flood in to inspect the formally laid tables, helium balloons and glittery fairy lights. The prevailing smell is of hairspray and scent. Friends who normally wear shapeless uniforms and dirty trainers are transformed into exotic peacocks in huge- skirted ball gowns, teetering heels and heavy make up.

  48. Back to the question Look at lines 25-29. Explain how the writer uses word choice to emphasise how special the event is for teenagers attending. 4

  49. Answer Candidates should explain how the word choice conveys that the setting of the event and the appearance of the teenagers are different form usual. At least 2 examples with comments for full marks. magisterial connotations of something impressive, luxurious, dignified formally implies a special occasion where everything is done carefully/properly transformed suggests a complete change into something almost recognisable

  50. Answer exotic peacocks - peacocks has connotations of trying to show off, an elaborate, colourful appearance etc. exotic suggests something rare, out of the ordinary shapeless uniforms suggest something dull, unattractive, unappealing contrasts with what they wear to the prom dirty trainers again, unglamorous, everyday, unappealing contrasts with teetering heels etc.

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