Close Reading1 passage

3 types of question:• Understanding• Analysis• Evaluation

Understanding Questions Understanding (what is said)key word in question = explain

(a) read the lines indicated(b) use the number of marks as guide(c) use your own words unless asked to

quote

Understanding -factual questions

• Locate information from the text• Identify key words/phrases• Change to own words

Understanding - summary

•use your own words •Use bullet points•one for each mark

Understanding - meaning from context

• give meaning of word/phrase• quote & explain other words

/phrase that make meaning clear• refer to & explain illustration

which makes meaning clear

e.g._________ means _______Other words phrases “___”, “___” mean

_____ which helped me arrive at the meaning.

• OR_________ means _______ This is

explained / illustrated by the example of _________ which helped me arrive at the meaning.

Analysis Questions• Analysis (How it is said)• Key word in question = show

how

(a) read the lines indicated(b) use the number of marks as guide(c) use your own words unless asked to

quote

Analysis – Writer’s Language

•Linkage•Imagery •Sentence structure•Word choice•Tone

Linkage

Link question – marked in 4 parts – 4x½

1. quote the part of the sentence which refers to/sums up the previous idea

2. explain in your own words what that idea is

3. quote the part of the sentence which introduces the new idea

4. explain in your own words what that idea is

e.g.

The phrase ‘ ___ ’ sums up the idea from the previous paragraph that ___

The phrase ‘ ___ ’ introduces the new idea ___ which is developed / expanded upon / illustrated in the rest of/next paragraph.

Imagery

4 stages to answering questions on imagery:

1. identify the image (figure of speech)

2. say what is being described3. say what it is being compared to4. explain the effect of the

comparison (just as…so…)

The writer uses a simile (metaphor / personification)

to describe the way the boy eatsby comparing it with the way a pig

eatsthe effect is to suggest that just as

a pig eats in a messy and noisy way so the boy eats in a messy and noisy way.

E.g.

Sentence Structure

2 types of comment you can make

•Sentence pattern•Effect of punctuation within a sentence

Sentence Patterns

• List – say what it is a list of and why

• Repetition – say what is being repeated and why

• Climax – often a list in ascending order of importance, with the most important item/idea at the end.

Sentence Punctuation

• Parenthesis - brackets or dashes or commas – to add extra information – say what it is / why it has been included.

• Ellipsis… - someone or something has been interrupted, a pause or to suggest that something goes on and on and on …

• Colon: - introduces a list, quotation or explanation/expansion of previous statement.

Sentence Punctuation

• Semi-colon; - separates items/phrases in a list, comes between two statements which are closely related, or balance or contrast one another (antithesis).

• Inverted commas – indicate a quotation, title of text, direct speech, used when an author wants to distance himself from the opinion offered (so called).

Sentence Patterns• Anti-climax –the author builds up

the expectations which are not fulfilled. Often used for comic effect.

• Antithesis – balancing opposite ideas together to create a contrast.

Word choice and Tone

• connotations (associations) of words / groups of words reveal the writer’s attitude to the subject.

• Words to describe tone are: humorous, ironic, mocking, serious, formal, straightforward, argumentative, sarcastic, persuasive, chatty or informal.

Evaluation• To answer Evaluation questions, you must

consider how effectively the writer has presented his information and express your personal response to the text.

• You can express your judgement by using words like effective, moving, satisfying, exciting, interesting, amusing, humorous, convincing, persuasive, shocking, disturbing, entertaining, enjoyable etc.

• You might be asked to consider features such as word choice, structure, tone etc.

• To show how a conclusion rounds off a text consider:

• The ideas: pick out references to stages in the argument. Is the argument clearly resolved, or is the outcome undecided?

• The style: does the style remain the same or change? Does the conclusion return to the wording of the opening? You might also discuss word choice and sentence structure.

• The tone: does the tone remain the same or change from serious to light-hearted or vice versa?

• The punch line: does it end with a joke or perhaps with a quotation or even introduce a new idea that leaves food for thought?

• Remember to:

• Take note of the number of marks and tailor your answer to suit.

• Follow the instructions given in the question.

• Use quotations and / or examples to illustrate your answer.