Paper One Practice Objective: to explore key information across a novel and analyse the writer’s language and structure. In your exam, you will be asked to do the following things: Read an extract from a novel Find information to show that you have understood it Make inferences (read between the lines) Analyse the way that it is structured Criticise the writing Create your own piece of descriptive writing Tips for the exam (preparation and exam technique) Bring a highlighter Revise using the work that we do in lessons and what we have on the website Read lots at home! This can include your AR book and also any leaflets that come through the door, articles in the newspaper and interesting websites.

Comprehension: This means showing that you have understood the text and read it carefully. List four things that you find out about Coraline’s new home. I mark per correct quotation.

Making inferences: this means to read between the lines and think about what words might suggest (connotations). How does the writer use language to show what Coraline’s new neighbours are like? a)They were both old and round, and they lived in their flat with a number of ageing highland terriers who had names like Hamish and Andrew and Jock b)In the flat above Coraline’s, under the roof, was a crazy old man with a big moustache. He told Coraline that he was training a mouse circus. c)Miss Spink and Miss Forcible made a point of telling Coraline how dangerous the well was, on the first day Coraline’s family moved in, and warned her to be sure she kept away from it. d)was also a haughty black cat, who would sit on walls and tree stumps, and watch her How to get top marks: Pick out the word types (adjectives etc) Pick out techniques (simple sentences, repetition) Fully explain meaning using ‘because’ Explore alternative meanings USE PEEE!

Analysing Structure: this means to consider why events or information come in a certain order. You explore what effect this might have on the reader and how it suits the writing. a) Put the events into the correct order. She explored the garden.The day after they moved in, Coraline went exploring. Coraline went over to the window and watched the rain come down. There was also a well. b) Why have events been ordered in this way? What effect does this have on the reader? How to get top marks: Pick out the structural techniques Name them using the correct terminology Fully explain their effects using ‘because’ Explore alternative effects and why else the writer might have used them USE PEEE!

Responding to critical analysis: this means that you will be commenting on the extract and giving your personal opinions, as well as commenting on someone else's. ‘Coraline’ Review Gaiman has crafted a superbly creepy and surreal fairy tale which will appeal to robust children from about age 9, and most children aged 11 and up. For younger children, new to the horror genre, the story may seem a little slow at the beginning as there is little tangible 'action' and the subtlety of the building tension might pass them by, but if they make it through the first few chapters they're likely to be hooked! Do you agree with this review? In your answer, you could comment on: 1.Whether you agree that the novel has a slow start but does build up tension 2.Whether you think that it is ‘creepy’ and ‘surreal’. Use evidence from the extract to support your answer.

Do you agree with this review? In your answer, you could comment on: 1.Whether you agree that the novel has a slow start but does build up tension 2.Whether you think that it is ‘creepy’ and ‘surreal’. Use evidence from the extract to support your answer. Gaiman has crafted a superbly creepy and surreal fairy tale which will appeal to robust children from about age 9, and most children aged 11 and up. For younger children, new to the horror genre, the story may seem a little slow at the beginning as there is little tangible 'action' and the subtlety of the building tension might pass them by, but if they make it through the first few chapters they're likely to be hooked! How to get top marks: I also agree that Gaiman has created a ‘creepy’ and surreal novel and, personally, love the way that he hints at this from the beginning. With the odd characters, such as the man upstairs who is “training a mouse circus” and the “haughty black cat”, the reader picks up on the subtle hints that this new home of Coraline’s is not all as it seems. The cat has a human personality, mice have human skills and human beings behave in a really odd way. Although it isn’t ‘creepy’ yet, it’s surreal, and the reader will be wondering what other strange things are to come. Offers examples from the text to explain views convincingly Selects a range of relevant quotations to validate views Analyses effects of a range of writer’s choices

Creative Writing: This means writing to describe, and you will plan your writing carefully before starting, thinking about using a range of descriptive techniques, varied sentences, accurate punctuation, paragraphs and powerful vocabulary. How to get top marks: You use a wide range of techniques to suit TAP You use a wide and adventurous range of vocabulary A wide range of connectives to make your writing flow Impressive paragraphs for effect (not just TipTop!) Perfect punctuation ; : - and apostrophes Simple and minor sentences for effect Complex sentences Sentences with ISPACED openers Do you know what these are? Do you need to see examples? Visit our skills page and click on the appropriate tile.skills page

You will have a choice of two tasks. DON’T DO BOTH! Choose either this

Paragraph 1: TipTop: Descriptive technique: Complex sentence: Powerful Vocab: Paragraph 2: TipTop: Descriptive technique: Complex sentence: Powerful Vocab: Paragraph 3: TipTop: Descriptive technique: Complex sentence: Powerful Vocab: Paragraph 4: TipTop: Descriptive technique: Complex sentence: Powerful Vocab: CHALLENGE: Can you use an echo, contrasting paragraph or repetition to make your structure even more effective? CHALLENGE: How are you going to create flow between your paragraphs?

OR THIS...

Paragraph 1: TipTop: Descriptive technique: Complex sentence: Powerful Vocab: Paragraph 2: TipTop: Descriptive technique: Complex sentence: Powerful Vocab: Paragraph 3: TipTop: Descriptive technique: Complex sentence: Powerful Vocab: Paragraph 4: TipTop: Descriptive technique: Complex sentence: Powerful Vocab: CHALLENGE: Can you use an echo, contrasting paragraph or repetition to make your structure even more effective? CHALLENGE: How are you going to create flow between your paragraphs? Describe a time in your life when you discovered something new.