Post by The Thought Police (admin) on Sept 10, 2012 5:18:56 GMT -5
1) Word Choice
Word choice questions test your ability to describe the ideas behind a particular word.
Always start by quoting the word and then going on to describe it's connotations (the ideas the word suggests to you). PLEASE now use the word 'connotations' in your answer!!!
Example
'Our English class is pure magic'
How effective is the writer's word choice to describe the English class?
The writer uses the word 'pure', which has the connotations of something being the best that it can be or being particularly powerful. 'Magic' has the connotations of something otherworldly or fantastic or a powerful force. Therefore, Mr Thomson's class is a wonderful place to be.
(NOTE: I am taking one word at a time here. I'm not hitting the examiner with 2 or more quotations and then the analysis after them - that would lead them to wonder which piece of analysis goes with which quotation. One quote + One Analysis then Next Quote + Next Analysis.
2) IMAGERY
Step 1) Quote and identify the image
Step 2) Say what picture the image give you (Explain the qualities of that picture)
Step 3) Relate it back to the real thing and say what it is like in reality
Example
'Mr Thomson's last class thought him to be a monster and a tyrant.'
Q - How does the writer's use of imagery provide an impression of Mr Thomson's character?
A - The writer uses the metaphor to compare Mr Thomson to a 'monster'. Just as a monster is a cruel and aggressive creature, perhaps also ugly to look at, so too Mr Thomson is deeply unpleasant and hideous person. The writer also compares Mr Thomson to a 'Tyrant' in another metaphor. Just as a Tyrant was a dictator who ruled harshly and abused his power, so too Mr Thomson is a teacher who is very strict and ruthless in his classroom.
(Note: Again, see the different steps here. The formula 'Just as..., so too...) will help you explain your ideas and cover both what the picture is AND very importantly, relate it back to the thing being described).
Word choice questions test your ability to describe the ideas behind a particular word.
Always start by quoting the word and then going on to describe it's connotations (the ideas the word suggests to you). PLEASE now use the word 'connotations' in your answer!!!
Example
'Our English class is pure magic'
How effective is the writer's word choice to describe the English class?
The writer uses the word 'pure', which has the connotations of something being the best that it can be or being particularly powerful. 'Magic' has the connotations of something otherworldly or fantastic or a powerful force. Therefore, Mr Thomson's class is a wonderful place to be.
(NOTE: I am taking one word at a time here. I'm not hitting the examiner with 2 or more quotations and then the analysis after them - that would lead them to wonder which piece of analysis goes with which quotation. One quote + One Analysis then Next Quote + Next Analysis.
2) IMAGERY
Step 1) Quote and identify the image
Step 2) Say what picture the image give you (Explain the qualities of that picture)
Step 3) Relate it back to the real thing and say what it is like in reality
Example
'Mr Thomson's last class thought him to be a monster and a tyrant.'
Q - How does the writer's use of imagery provide an impression of Mr Thomson's character?
A - The writer uses the metaphor to compare Mr Thomson to a 'monster'. Just as a monster is a cruel and aggressive creature, perhaps also ugly to look at, so too Mr Thomson is deeply unpleasant and hideous person. The writer also compares Mr Thomson to a 'Tyrant' in another metaphor. Just as a Tyrant was a dictator who ruled harshly and abused his power, so too Mr Thomson is a teacher who is very strict and ruthless in his classroom.
(Note: Again, see the different steps here. The formula 'Just as..., so too...) will help you explain your ideas and cover both what the picture is AND very importantly, relate it back to the thing being described).