Doing brilliantly in English Language Getting the Grade

Paper 1 Section A Reading Media and Non Fiction texts Read the questions carefully, then read the texts. Highlight / underline / annotate relevant sections. Look at the number of marks available. The length of your answers / number of points should reflect the number of marks available. Pick out the relevant information when answering questions – avoid repetition and waffle. Use appropriate media / non fiction language, e.g. target audience, connotation, caption, slogan, emotive language. Paragraph your answers. Plan answers to compare questions and use compare connectives, e.g. similarly, whereas, also, on the other hand.

Two keys to success PEE Point Evidence Expand PALL Purpose Audience Language Layout Write these on the exam paper to help you plan and get the highest grades.

Keys to success PALL Purpose – What is the text trying to do? Audience – Who is it aimed at? Language – What kind of words have been used? Layout - How is the text set out?

Learn the check list of PALL Italics Images Layout Alliteration Captions Colour Paragraphs Bullet points Fonts Headings Columns Maps

Learn the check list of PALL Picking out the features will start you on the right lines. But you will get a C grade or above if you explain why they are used and if you think that they work or that they are effective.

Language This is where the most marks are because it is a challenge. Explain whether the writing is: Complex, technical or simple. Formal or informal (such as using slang and abbreviations). Literal or poetic / figurative. Factual/objective, or opinion based or emotive. Read the text thinking about the choice of words. AIM to pick out language details when you are reading through the text – highlight words and phrases that stand out.

Key words Always highlight the question – pick out the key words – what is the question asking you to do? Get used to highlighting the text – look for key words that stand out. What is the question asking you to do? Check have you answered the question.

Key words How effective is the advert for Oxfam? Comment on the language and presentational features used. How clear is the leaflet and what audience do you think it is aimed at? 1 2 3 4 5 6

EXPAND ON WHAT YOU HAVE WRITTEN AND THE POINT YOU HAVE MADE Use quotes You should always use PEE MAKE A POINT EXPAND ON WHAT YOU HAVE WRITTEN AND THE POINT YOU HAVE MADE GIVE AN EXAMPLE PEE

www.oxfam.org.uk Photo Nick Fogden/Oxfam

  How to use PEE and PALL There are two women in a picture and there is some green text. Also you can see the name Oxfam so this shows also the name of the charity. The advert is persuasive and positive as it uses images of two women helping themselves to get out of poverty. The rhetorical question at the top is addressed to the reader to draw them into the advert and the colour green has been chosen because it is a positive colour that connects with the idea of a fresh start. Overall it is effective.  

The “Big Picture” Think PALL Always read your text carefully – highlight as you read. Try to grasp the text’s “big picture”. Understand exactly: what it is about who it was written for why it was written how it was written Think PALL

C Write Clearly & Accurately Paper 1 Section B Writing to: argue, persuade, advise To achieve a C+ grade you must: C Write Clearly & Accurately

To achieve a C+ grade you must: C Write clearly = C Punctuate correctly = use commas, use semi-colons, apostrophes and full stops. C You must use paragraphs to organise your ideas and discourse markers to signpost your argument to the reader, e.g. first, next, ultimately. You must entertain and interest the reader so keep checking you are focusing on the question and thinking about the reader. ORIGINALITY Exam questions Write PALL on your paper to help you plan Why are you writing – PURPOSE -to entertain? Inform or explain? Watch out for the AUDIENCE – who will be the reader? Children? Students? Headteachers? Make sure that your LANGUAGE is right for the audience. LAYOUT your response in the appropriate form – letter, article, leaflet, speech.

PALL the question L A Write an article for a teenage magazine in which you explain some of pressures on young people today. You could include details of: exam pressure, peer pressure, self image and family life. P L

Exam questions Use the way of planning that you find easiest. It might be a list of bullet points or some kind of diagram. Put all your ideas down quickly, then cross out what you don’t like and organise the rest into the best order. Who? What? Where? When? Why? and How? are questions that can help to get ideas. Respect the reader. Include all the information they need. Make it make sense.

Being a teen is top! … … ISN'T IT? Write an article for a teenage magazine in which you explain some of the pressures on young people today. Being a teen is top! … … ISN'T IT? You can’t open a newspaper or turn on the TV without hearing about ‘terrible teens’. Apparently they don’t respect their family, their environment, their teachers, their uniform, or anyone or anything. The only thing they respect are celebrities, and of course teens are only focused on their selfish selves. Exams and families do create stress but the greatest pressure is surviving all the negative press about teens. According to the shock stories in the press, we all wear hoodies and baseball caps, never move without a gang surrounding us and we are never happier than when intimidating older people or hanging around on street corners. Is this the reality of teens today?

How to succeed in writing tasks Plan before you write. Jot down key ideas – do a quick mind map/ brainstorm/ list or some notes – this will help you organise your ideas. 2. Add in detail – keep trying to show off – use the best words. 3. Check paragraphs and spellings – know which words you are sometimes careless with. Look closely at these when you read through your writing. 4. Don’t get too nervous in the exam – make sure that your writing is easy to read. Remember that you won’t lose marks for crossing out mistakes.

Finally – a Health warning Each year, thousands of students fail to achieve the marks they could. Don't be one of them. ALWAYS CHECK YOUR WRITING BEFORE HANDING IN!

In the exam – grabbing all of the marks you can With 7 minutes to go: Round off your ideas – write your last paragraph. Proof read your work – quickly check paragraphs – mark new paragraphs in with // – you will get the marks for them. Check commas and full stops. Skim through and check you’ve used capital letters for names and titles.

GOOD LUCK!