SQA RUAE Advice

Analysis 1 – Word Choice You are being asked to select a key word and show how the connotations of this word are being exploited by the writer. You must focus clearly on individual words. There are no marks for simply picking out a suitable word. There are no marks for repeating the question - don’t do this as it wastes time!

Word Choice Continued - Example A useful strategy can be to compare the word you’ve chosen with a more ‘neutral’ word in order to explain its effect. For example: ‘She strode into the room’ = A more neutral word would be ‘walked’. Difference: the choice of ‘strode’ implies a purposeful action by a confident person.

Analysis 2 - Imagery You must show that you understand the literal origin of the image. You must show that you can see how the writer is extending this metaphorically to help make a point. Simply picking out words that contain the image will score no marks. Adding lots of vague comments which are not tied to understanding and analysis of the image will also score no marks.

Imagery Example ‘Her room is a pigsty’. Literally a pigsty is muddy, smelly and unpleasant. This clichéd metaphor is traditionally used to describe untidiness or messiness and so this image emphasises this individual’s messy living environment effectively.

Understanding You must show that you understand key words and/or ideas in the section of the passage being questioned. You must answer ‘in your own words as far as possible’, which means basically that you cannot simply quote from the passage - you must demonstrate ‘understanding’.

Understanding Continued The ‘as far as possible’ is important: you don’t need to find replacements for every word (in the 2007 paper the word ‘library’ doesn’t have to be changed to ‘building open to the public offering a large selection of books’); use your common sense. The number of marks available is always a good guide to the number of main points you need to make.

Understanding Continued Answers to Understanding questions should typically be quite brief and to the point (concise and precise) - you either understand or you don’t! Bullet points are recommended.

Evaluating 1 – Conclusion to a Passage Successful answers to this type of question require a good overview of the whole passage and some detailed attention to the ideas and/or language of the conclusion. Pay careful attention to specific instructions in the question about reference to ideas or language or both.

Evaluating 1 - Continued Pay careful attention to any specific ‘direction’ in the question about a particular aspect of the conclusion you are to focus on. For example, question 12 in 2007 asks for reference to the way the writer uses the film Desk Set and refers to concluding the passage ‘in a pleasing way’ - it does not simply ask for generalised comments about the last few lines.

Evaluating 2 – Question on Both Passages Be careful to check what you are being asked to compare: is it ideas or style of writing or both? Do exactly as instructed. Make sure you refer to both passages. It doesn’t have to be half and half, but if you ignore one passage altogether, you will forfeit marks.

Evaluating 2 - Continued These questions are usually worth 5 or more marks, so a substantial answer is required. It is strongly advised that you write a ‘mini-essay’ in continuous prose and not attempt to answer in note form. You don’t have a lot of time, but the more structured your answer is the more impressed your marker will be.

Main body of your Essay Your answer should be split into paragraphs and should follow the following pattern: Statement Context Evidence Analysis Relate to question G. Scott - CHS

Topic Sentences The first sentence of each paragraph should make it clear to the marker what your paragraph will be about. Example 1 – The prologue of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ introduces the theme of fate. Example 2 – The opening scene of ‘Macbeth’ establishes an atmosphere of mystery and evil, which is developed in the rest of the play. G. Scott - CHS

Providing Evidence You must use quotations. They are the evidence you are using to back up your answer. Without strong quotations you do not have a strong answer. You should use one main quotation per paragraph but, for top marks, you can include smaller additional quotes if they help further back up your point. G. Scott - CHS

Comment / Analysis Explain what quote means and how it answers the question Look at individual words and phrases which further improve your argument Look at how this quote relates to the theme You should know what you plan on saying about your quotations. As you have learned them thoroughly you know why they are important to your text and what they show. Explain this to the marker. Remember to relate your analysis back to the question! This is essential. G. Scott - CHS

Statement, Context and Evidence In addition, Orwell uses the paperweight, bought by Winston in the novel, to symbolise the importance of hope. Winston likes the fact that the paperweight, useless in a world without paper and books, is proof of a past much different to the present. It represents Winston’s utopia away from the dystopian society in which he now lives. He dreams of a future as simple as this object and describes it as: “The room he was in, and the coral was Julia's life and his own, fixed in a sort of eternity at the heart of the crystal'' G. Scott - CHS

Linking One of the main reason your should plan your essay is so that it flows nicely. Go from one idea to another similar one so it is easy for the marker to follow. Use a linking sentence to build bridges between your ideas. Use knowledge of linking questions from close reading to help here. G. Scott - CHS

Link words / Linking Expressions Continuing an idea In addition Moreover Furthermore In the same way Similarly Making a different point However Nevertheless On the other hand In contrast G. Scott - CHS

Link words / Linking Expressions Drawing a conclusion Therefore Consequently As a result of this Thus In sum However, only use these at the start of a new sentence! G. Scott - CHS

Conclusion Your conclusion should: Follow on logically from what has been said Refer back to the question Sum up the main points in the essay. G. Scott - CHS