Strategy 1: Decode the question There are 2 main types of questions Understanding questions Analysis questions How can you tell the difference? #find5marks

From the 2015 P & N . . . #find5marks 1.By referring to at least two features of language in lines 1–9, analyse how the writer conveys that he does not share others’ reverence for John Lennon. You should refer in your answer to such features as word choice, sentence structure, tone . . . 2. Identify three reasons the writer gives in lines 10–21 for being able to take a positive view of Lennon. 3. By referring to specific word or phrases, explain how lines 22–24 perform a linking function in the passage as a whole. #find5marks

1.By referring to at least two features of language in lines 1–9, analyse how the writer conveys that he does not share others’ reverence for John Lennon. 4 A 2. Identify three reasons the writer gives in lines 10–21 for being able to take a positive view of Lennon. 3 U 3. By referring to specific word or phrases, explain how lines 22–24 perform a linking function in the passage as a whole. 2 4. Re-read lines 25–28. (a) In what ways does the writer find the song “Tomorrow Never Knows” to be unsatisfactory? 2 (b) Analyse how the writer’s use of language in these lines conveys his dislike of the song. 2 #find5marks

5. By referring to at least two features of language in lines 29–37, analyse how the writer conveys his contempt for Lennon’s activities. 4 A 6. Using your own words, identify the writer’s criticisms of the song “Imagine” in lines 38–43. 2 U 7. Using your own words, identify the key features of what the writer calls “the cult of Lennon the independent spirit” (line 44). 3 8. Evaluate the effectiveness of the final paragraph (lines 53–58) as a conclusion to the passage as a whole. 3 #find5marks

Strategy 1: Decode the questions After reading the passage . . . Write down U or A beside each question Underline/highlight key words Time required: 2 minutes Impact: More precise answers = more marks #find5marks

Strategy 2: Bullet point Compare these two answers . . . John Lennon was a singer and some of his songs are enduring, of a high standard and he had nice purple glasses and the songs are of a high standard and he spent too much time in bed that one time and an example of how good music can be and they are unpretentious.

With this . . . some of his songs are enduring, of a high standard The songs are of a high standard, an example of how good music can be they are unpretentious

Strategy two: bullet point Look at the number of marks available and bullet point accordingly Time required: time is saved (so less) Impact: concision, happier markers, more marks.

Understanding questions . . . Understanding questions require you to do two things: Find the answer to the question in the passage Translate the answer into your own words #find5marks

An example . . . Identify three reasons the writer gives in lines 10–21 for being able to take a positive view of Lennon. Now, look at the passage – lines 10 – 21 – and identify 3 separate reasons identified by the writer. #find5marks

The common mistake with this type of question is to lift the answer directly from the passage (therefore not using your own words) Or . . . Use your own words, but not directly translate any part of the text, rather translating some idea in your own head of what was in the passage (somewhere) #find5marks

If his admirers restricted themselves to praising “She Loves You” or “Help!”, there wouldn’t be an argument. Those songs scrub up well 45 years after Lennon (1), with a little help from Paul McCartney, knocked them into shape. This is pop music at its best (2), fresh and zingy, making no bid for the higher ground (3). Coming from Liverpool, The Beatles, particularly in the golden period from 1964 to 1966, were superb popular entertainers(4). Moreover, they contributed significantly to a bracing chapter in the social history of post-war British life(5). The Beatles represented something that owed nothing to the London-centric view of a rapidly changing kingdom, and together with actors/writers from towns well away from London, they changed our view of ourselves(6), and hurrah for that. #find5marks

Find the answer then translate . . . Those songs scrub up well 45 years after Lennon (1), some of his songs are enduring, of a high standard This is pop music at its best (2), The songs are of a high standard, an example of how good music can be making no bid for the higher ground (3). they are unpretentious #find5marks

Strategy Three: Understanding questions Find the answer in the passage and underline it Translate it into your own words Impact: quicker identification of the answer + direct translation into your own words = more marks for Understanding questions #find5marks

The story so far . . . Strategy 1: Decode the question Strategy 2: Bullet point Strategy 3: Understanding questions – find the answer/directly translate into own words

Analysis questions For analysis questions, you have to do 4 things: Identify a technique being used Quote an example State the connotations/literal root/function Explain the impact

Make sure you are prepared . . . The big 4 . . . Word choice Imagery Sentence structure Tone You need to put time and effort into learning each of these . . .

State the connotations Explain the impact Word choice State the technique Quote an example State the connotations Explain the impact

What are connotations? Mother

Mum

Mummy

Underweight Skinny Slim Another example . . . Underweight Skinny Slim

Your task in a word choice question is to identify words that the writer uses to create a particular impact and explain how they create this impact using the connotations.

How to ‘train’ for word choice . . . Buy a quality newspaper. One will do you for many weeks. Read an article that interests you. Pick out as many examples of word choice that you can that the writer uses to create a particular effect. Practise the process of explaining how the writer creates the impact.

State the connotations Explain the impact Word choice process . . . State the technique Quote an example State the connotations Explain the impact

Imagery Simile Metaphor Personification

Identify the technique Quote an example State the literal root Imagery process Identify the technique Quote an example State the literal root Explain the impact

“Life is like a box of chocolates . . .” F. Gump In what way?

Connotations . . . Lots of different varieties Hard shell/soft centre Some you like/some you don’t Some have nuts Once it’s finished, it’s finished

Answer Simile ‘Life is like a box of chocolates’ Life is being compared to a container of cocoa based confectionery. Just as a box of chocolates has lots of different varieties with some you like and some you don’t, so too does life have a lot of varied experiences, some pleasant and some not so pleasant.

How to ‘train’ for imagery questions Go back to your newspaper. Look for examples of similes, metaphors and personification. Doing this will help you sharpen up on spotting imagery. Then follow the process and explain the impact of each example you find.

Identify the technique Quote an example State the literal root Imagery process Identify the technique Quote an example State the literal root Explain the impact

Sentence structure . . . need to know Sentence length Repetition Word order Punctuation Type of sentences Paragraph structure

Learn what you don’t know . . . If you do not know the various punctuation marks used or what effect they are used for, types of sentences etc you just need to learn this. If needed, your teacher will go over this information in class and you then need to learn it. There is no shortcut!

Sentence structure process Identify the technique Quote an example State the impact

How to ‘train’ for sentence structure questions Go back to your trusty newspaper. Look at how the article/paragraphs are structured and what impact it has. Look for particular features of sentence structure and try to explain the impact of each one. Use the process to write out your explanation of the impact of examples you find.