Unfamiliar Text. Show understanding of significant aspects of unfamiliar written text(s) through close reading, using supporting evidence

Responding to Unfamiliar Text. The questions will focus on your ability to analyse the language being used, not just your ability to understand what is written. Remember, a text can be a piece of prose or a poem. Make sure that your writing is easy to read and understand.

predict… To effectively analyse a text predict…   What kind of text is this? (poetry, newspaper article, magazine article, short story, speech…) What expectations do I have of this text type? What can I learn about a text by simply “looking”? What do I notice about the layout and any visual elements? Can I predict any language features or techniques the author might have used that are typical of this text type?

Skim and Scan… SKIMMING & SCANNING: Establishing an overall picture of the text   Take 3 minutes to SKIM & SCAN the whole text.

to Analyse… To effectively analyse a text consider:   P Why was it written/reasons for writing? (PURPOSE i.e. to inform, persuade, entertain) A Who was it written for? (AUDIENCE) F What is the text about (FOCUS) T Topic T Techniques (can you identify any language features or techniques used for effect? Highlight and identify any language techniques you spot).

first…how to work out purpose…   P Why was it written/reasons for writing? (PURPOSE i.e. to inform, persuade, entertain)

Author’s Purpose

Three Reasons for Writing To Inform (Expository) To Persuade (Persuasive) Entertain (Narrative or Poetry)

Writing to Inform Often called expository writing. Author's Purpose: To Inform • It’s the author’s goal to enlighten the reader with topics that are usually real or contain facts. • Facts are used to teach, not to persuade. • Examples: textbooks, cookbooks, newspapers, encyclopaedias, etc. Remember: Expository = Expose

Writing to Persuade Attempts to influence the reader. Usually makes an argument. Examples: Political speeches Advertisements Author’s Purpose: To Persuade Even though the author shares his opinion, he may provide facts to support the opinion. Commercials, newspaper editorials, etc.

Examples of Writing to Entertain Narratives: stories. Have a beginning, middle, and end A story may have a lesson, but the author’s main purpose is to entertain. It is the author’s goal to tell a story or describe real or imaginary characters, places, and events Examples of Writing to Entertain Fiction novels, poems, stories, plays, comic strips, poems, TV soaps

Is it a story, poem, or play, comic strip? Yes No Does the text make arguments? Yes No Does the text give facts? Yes No Start Over Entertain Persuade Inform

Review Informative or expository writing provides factual information about a topic. Persuasive writing expresses an opinion (may use facts to support). All narratives are written to entertain, but so is poetry.

Practice Let’s see how you do… On a separate sheet of paper, number one through ten. I will describe a piece of writing. You will write the author’s purpose: to inform, persuade, or entertain.

1 The story of a teenage boy learning to understand and live with his father, who is an alcoholic Vietnam war veteran.

2 A list of the 25 richest athletes in the world.

3 An article arguing why Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player ever.

4 An “X-men” comic book.

5 The story about a young girl with low self-esteem learning to love herself.

6 A National Geographic article about the eating and breeding habits of the endangered bald eagle.

7 A website saying that a new shopping mall should not be built because it threatens an endangered bald eagle’s home. The website also lists other reasons why the mall should not be built.

8 A poem about bald eagles.

9 A magazine ad telling you to buy Nike Hyperdunk shoes because you’ll jump higher.

10 A sign saying, “Rest Stop Five Miles Ahead.”

Answers 1. Entertain 2. Inform 3. Persuade 4. Entertain 5. Entertain 6. Inform 7. Persuade 8. Entertain 9. Persuade 10. Inform

and then ask… To effectively analyse a text consider:   P Why was it written/reasons for writing? (PURPOSE i.e. to inform, persuade, entertain) A Who was it written for? (Audience) F What is the text about (Focus) T Title S Source of article, where does it come from T Highlight and identify any language techniques you can spot.

and finally…  Attempt to answer EVERY part of each question. Even if you get one bit wrong you might get enough right in other parts of the question to achieve or better. Shorter answers must be written in complete sentences, include words from the question and explain what the example means. Longer answers must be in complete sentences and should follow the SEXY structure for a good paragraph. They need to start with words from the question.