Post by hornsby on Dec 21, 2015 10:30:41 GMT -5
Questions on Word Choice
You could be asked to choose a key word and explain what idea this creates (connotation). In this type of question, you will be asked to explain the effect of the word(s) chosen by the writer.
1) Quote a key word/phrase.
2) Explain what the connotations of the word/phrase (what does it make you think of? What do you associate with that word? Is it onomatopoeia/alliteration?)
3) Explain why this was a good word to use. How does this word/phrase help the writer to make their point?
Questions on Imagery
If asked about the writer’s use of imagery follow these steps and use the ‘just as…so this suggests’ formula.
1) State if it is a simile, a metaphor or personification
2) Quote your simile, metaphor or personification
3) Explain what it actually means (literally) Just as…
4) Now explain why it creates a good picture or description as it is used in the passage So this suggests…
Questions on the writer’s language
When you are asked to comment on the writer’s language you could talk about imagery, word choice, sentence structure, punctuation or tone. Sometimes the question will tell you specifically what technique to write about. Sometimes you have to choose which techniques to write about.
1) Start your answer by identifying the technique
2) Quote the word or phrase
3) Explain what this language feature suggests.
4) Now explain why the writer chose it. Follow the formula for that type of feature (imagery question formula, word choice question formula…)
Questions on Linkage
You might be asked to identify how a sentence acts as a link between paragraphs. You need to show how it links back and forward. There are 4 steps to answering a link question:
1) Quote the word/phrase that links back to the previous paragraph.
2) Explain how it links back – state what the writer was saying in that paragraph.
3) Quote the word/phrase that links forward to the new paragraph.
4) Explain how it links forward – state what the writer goes on to say.
QUOTE – LINK BACK – QUOTE – LINK FORWARD
Remember to comment on any conjunctions like however, but, therefore, on the other hand... They show a change in direction of the argument.
Questions on Context
In the context question you will be asked to explain how you worked out the meaning of a word or phrase from the passage. There are three things you need to do:
1) Explain the meaning of the word.
2) Quote a word or expression from the passage that helped you understand the meaning.
3) Explain how the word or expression you wrote in step 2 helped you understand the meaning.
Questions on Sentence Structure
You may have to identify and explain the effect of sentence structure and punctuation. You should look out for the following; sentence length, type of sentence, repetition, listing, parenthesis, use of ellipsis, lots of verbs, dashes, exclamation marks, question marks, commas…
1) Identify the feature of the sentence that you will be analysing.
2) Explain how the feature is used by the writer.
3) Explain why the writer used this feature (How does it help the writer to make his viewpoint clear?).
In Your Own Words Questions
Questions like this will normally be in bold font. If you quote from the passage you will receive no marks.
1) Pick out the correct part of the passage
2) Summarise the key point(s) in your own words.
3) Take note of how many marks the question is worth to work out how many points you need to make.
Main Points/Summary Question
This type of question usually appears at the end of the paper. It asks you to summarise the main points made in the passage by the writer. You should look at the passage as a whole.
1) You must answer in your own words
2) Scan through the passage and pick out the main ideas (use a highlighter to help you)
3) Summarise these in your own words
4) Check how many marks this question is worth to help you decide how many points to make.
Questions on Tone/Attitude
Imagine how the writer would speak if they were to read the passage aloud. Tone could be sarcastic, angry, critical, mocking, sad, humorous, sympathetic, light hearted, reflective…
1) Identify the tone/attitude
2) Quote any words/phrases which helped you identify the tone
3) Explain the effect of the tone. How does it help the writer get across their point?
You could be asked to choose a key word and explain what idea this creates (connotation). In this type of question, you will be asked to explain the effect of the word(s) chosen by the writer.
1) Quote a key word/phrase.
2) Explain what the connotations of the word/phrase (what does it make you think of? What do you associate with that word? Is it onomatopoeia/alliteration?)
3) Explain why this was a good word to use. How does this word/phrase help the writer to make their point?
Questions on Imagery
If asked about the writer’s use of imagery follow these steps and use the ‘just as…so this suggests’ formula.
1) State if it is a simile, a metaphor or personification
2) Quote your simile, metaphor or personification
3) Explain what it actually means (literally) Just as…
4) Now explain why it creates a good picture or description as it is used in the passage So this suggests…
Questions on the writer’s language
When you are asked to comment on the writer’s language you could talk about imagery, word choice, sentence structure, punctuation or tone. Sometimes the question will tell you specifically what technique to write about. Sometimes you have to choose which techniques to write about.
1) Start your answer by identifying the technique
2) Quote the word or phrase
3) Explain what this language feature suggests.
4) Now explain why the writer chose it. Follow the formula for that type of feature (imagery question formula, word choice question formula…)
Questions on Linkage
You might be asked to identify how a sentence acts as a link between paragraphs. You need to show how it links back and forward. There are 4 steps to answering a link question:
1) Quote the word/phrase that links back to the previous paragraph.
2) Explain how it links back – state what the writer was saying in that paragraph.
3) Quote the word/phrase that links forward to the new paragraph.
4) Explain how it links forward – state what the writer goes on to say.
QUOTE – LINK BACK – QUOTE – LINK FORWARD
Remember to comment on any conjunctions like however, but, therefore, on the other hand... They show a change in direction of the argument.
Questions on Context
In the context question you will be asked to explain how you worked out the meaning of a word or phrase from the passage. There are three things you need to do:
1) Explain the meaning of the word.
2) Quote a word or expression from the passage that helped you understand the meaning.
3) Explain how the word or expression you wrote in step 2 helped you understand the meaning.
Questions on Sentence Structure
You may have to identify and explain the effect of sentence structure and punctuation. You should look out for the following; sentence length, type of sentence, repetition, listing, parenthesis, use of ellipsis, lots of verbs, dashes, exclamation marks, question marks, commas…
1) Identify the feature of the sentence that you will be analysing.
2) Explain how the feature is used by the writer.
3) Explain why the writer used this feature (How does it help the writer to make his viewpoint clear?).
In Your Own Words Questions
Questions like this will normally be in bold font. If you quote from the passage you will receive no marks.
1) Pick out the correct part of the passage
2) Summarise the key point(s) in your own words.
3) Take note of how many marks the question is worth to work out how many points you need to make.
Main Points/Summary Question
This type of question usually appears at the end of the paper. It asks you to summarise the main points made in the passage by the writer. You should look at the passage as a whole.
1) You must answer in your own words
2) Scan through the passage and pick out the main ideas (use a highlighter to help you)
3) Summarise these in your own words
4) Check how many marks this question is worth to help you decide how many points to make.
Questions on Tone/Attitude
Imagine how the writer would speak if they were to read the passage aloud. Tone could be sarcastic, angry, critical, mocking, sad, humorous, sympathetic, light hearted, reflective…
1) Identify the tone/attitude
2) Quote any words/phrases which helped you identify the tone
3) Explain the effect of the tone. How does it help the writer get across their point?