Key Reading Skills for Responding to Passages  When approaching a passage-based question it is important to have a system.  You cannot just read and write  Highlight/underline important passages  Make marginal notations  Use brackets or symbols to section off pieces of the passage that are particularly important in terms of structure (form)  Etc.

Do: Read the text at least twice Read the text at least twice List or highlight key words/phrases from the text before you begin to write List or highlight key words/phrases from the text before you begin to write Start your commentary with a brief, clear introduction in which you offer an overview or framework for you interpretation of, or commentary on, the set passage Start your commentary with a brief, clear introduction in which you offer an overview or framework for you interpretation of, or commentary on, the set passage Focus on what the writer does (the techniques he/she uses) and the features presented Focus on what the writer does (the techniques he/she uses) and the features presented Describe the effects of those techniques or features on the reader Describe the effects of those techniques or features on the reader

Do (cont’d): Support what you say with well-chosen, selective evidence, and apt quotation Support what you say with well-chosen, selective evidence, and apt quotation Write in a coherent, fluent way which links rather than lists ideas Write in a coherent, fluent way which links rather than lists ideas Keep your focus on style and language Keep your focus on style and language Check your work as you write and tweak or adapt carefully to make sure your expression is succinct, yet sufficiently detailed Check your work as you write and tweak or adapt carefully to make sure your expression is succinct, yet sufficiently detailed

Don’t: Start writing until you have read the text properly Start writing until you have read the text properly Simply list or highlight everything in the text (!)—be selective. It’s highlighting—not coloring! Simply list or highlight everything in the text (!)—be selective. It’s highlighting—not coloring! Assert an idea or opinion without supporting evidence Assert an idea or opinion without supporting evidence Simply “feature-spot”—that is, point out out a technique or a language device without explaining its effect or purpose (for example, mention that the writer has used alliteration without saying what its effect is) Simply “feature-spot”—that is, point out out a technique or a language device without explaining its effect or purpose (for example, mention that the writer has used alliteration without saying what its effect is)

Don’t (cont’d): Just summarize what happens of paraphrase without offering any commentary or interpretation Just summarize what happens of paraphrase without offering any commentary or interpretation List points or ideas in an unconnected way List points or ideas in an unconnected way Drift off into discussing aspects outside the question set Drift off into discussing aspects outside the question set