Section_1_Belonging

Preparation for English Paper 1 Section I: Composition features – They could be anything ranging from: (or anything else they find!!) -Lyrics to a song -A cartoon -A poem -A web page -A comic strip -A transcript of a speech -Part of a narrative - Photographs - Quotes - A book cover, and/or blurb General: Take note of the language used: Diction, Formal/Informal, Neutral/Emotive, Objective (undistorted by emotion or personal bias)/Subjective (influenced by personal opinion), Literal/Figurative, Voice (Imperative, cynical, satirical, etc). Does the writer use rhetorical questions' What other techniques have been employed to interest the reader, and to make a point. What is the point being made' Visual Texts: (Cartoons, Book Covers, Photographs, etc) Look at what images/symbols are used to make up the text, and how these elements contribute to the purpose of the image, and what they say about the image. Do they reinforce any text present (caption, title etc)' Is there writing juxtaposed over a supporting image' Does it reinforce (contrast or contradict) what is presented in the text' How do they convey the idea of the journey' What type of journey (physical, imaginative, inner, or a combination)' How does the placement (centre, foreground, background, off to the side etc) of things in the image contribute to its purpose – focal point' Is there humour, or an emotion conveyed in the text' What is the purpose' Is it to entertain, to inform, or to ridicule (etc)' How do things like colour, words, font, size, setting, characters, and vector lines play a part in establishing meaning (everything has a purpose)' Does it teach the reader something' Comic Strip/Image – take note of: - Facial expression - Consecutive frames show change/movement - Caption (text that accompanies the comic/image) Skills in analyzing visual texts- - Body language, facial expressions and clothing of any people in the text - Angles of perception high angles low angles long shots - Framing of a graphic - Lines of the text are they upright horizontal, circular, clear or confused' - Any use of colour Written Texts: Poetry: Look at the title and structure of the poem. Pay attention to the type of language being used – is it descriptive, personal, emotive, sexist etc. Does the language evoke images in the reader’s mind' What is the central image being used (is there more than one)' Look for motifs (reoccurring theme/idea), and identify any poetical techniques (devices). Consider how it communicates the idea of belonging. What aspect of belonging is it trying to convey' What is its purpose' Is it to entertain, to express an emotion, to recount an experience (etc)' Does it teach the responder something, or make them feel something' Metaphor | A figure of speech in the form of a comparison. Here something is said to be something else. | Simile | A figure of speech in which two things are compared. One thing is compared to another thing, often using like or as | Enjambment | When a sentence in a poem runs over into the next line. | Symbolism | Used when a writer wishes o attach a particular meaning to an object or situation. The symbol represents something else. | Alliteration | Repetition of the consonant sound at the beginning of a number of consecutive or neighbouring words. | Assonance | Repetition of the vowel sound in or near successive words. | Emotive language | Works on the reader’s emotions, arousing certain feelings. Intended to bring about a change or to reinforce attitudes, opinions or behaviours. | Rhyme | Use of similar sounds. Can be end rhyme, internal rhyme, eye rhyme or half rhyme. | Personification | Attributing human qualities to and animal or inanimate object. | Repetition | Repeating a word or phrase for effect, emphasis, or to clarify a point. | Onomatopoeia | Words that describe sounds. | Many of these techniques are used to create a mood, and rhythm within a poem. TONE!! Prose Text: Does the writer use the first person, second or third person' Writing with “I” engages the audiences and gives a personal touch, second person refers to “you” involves the reader. What type of language is used' Is it formal, colloquial etc…Does the language engage the reader' What is the tone (humorous, satirical, angry tone'), and how does it display the writer’s feelings for the subject' Is humour used' Or perhaps irony and satire to persuade the reader look at grammatical aspects such as length of sentences (short sentences=fast paced, panicked or excited, long sentences=calm mood) use of passive voice or the imperative mood (commands) and punctuation. Does the writer use ellipse' The layout can affect the text; size, fonts, headlines and placement of any graphics Remember when you identify these features you must explain how they convey the writer’s messages about journeys. Newspaper report: Take note of the use of: - Punny headline –create humour and interest. - Objective/matter-of-fact tone –makes the text more credibly - Use of facts and statistics –adds realism, and credibility, can be used to illustrate a point - Quotes from authority figures –adds credibility - Use of images –adds interest, and can be used to illustrate a point made in the text What do these add to the text' How do they help get the composer’s purpose across' How do they communicate the idea of the journey' Feature Articles: Take note of the use of: - “Punny” headline - create humour and interest. - Subjective/personable tone –Appeals to the reader’s emotions, makes them feel more personally involved, - Varied sentence lengths –changes the pace of the text (can reflect different emotions). - Quote or image enlarged and placed in the middle of the article –creates interest, and draws the reader in. - Exaggeration/hyperbole (or minimisation) –emphasises a point, or to create humour, or express great emotions. Or, to minimise (make it less than it is) something by representing it at less than its true value. - Humour/wit –entertains, sometimes can make the reader think more on something, can also draw attention to something, and create emphasis. Narrative Extracts: Look at the purpose of the extract – what is the writer trying to convey to the reader' What is the tone' Are certain emotions being evoked in the reader' How' Look at the format. Has the writer varied their sentence length' What does this do to the text' Are the sentences short, making the text fast paced, and evoking feelings of excitement, or perhaps panic or frenzied movement' Are they long, making the text rhythmical, possibly detailing/describing something beautiful, and evoking not only an image, but also feelings of serenity and calm' Does the writer use colloquial language, formal/informal, jargon specific to certain people, or a certain place (conveys a strong sense of place)' What person and tense does he use' What point is the writer trying to get across to the reader, what emotion is he trying to make the audience feel' Has he been successful' How is he communicating the idea of the journey' What journey' Does the writer make use of poetic devises to create interest and emphasis in the text' Does the writer use didactic language (morally instructive)' Does the writer make use of oxymoron, irony, parody, sarcasm, satire, and jargon (etc)' Complete Language Techniques: Onomatopoeia | Sounds like what it refers to e.g. Pop, Bang etc. | Generalization | Doesn't allow for individual difference | Assonance | Repetition of vowel sounds e.g. Slow road to no ware | Descriptive | Describing. | Paradox | Contradiction seemingly false at first but is found latter to be a truth. | Instructive | Inform/enlighten/instruct. | Euphemism | Acceptable/mild expression for something not very nice e.g. Instead of died- Moved on to a better place | Oxymoron | Two words placed next to each other to show contrast e.g. Parting is such a sweet sorrow | Personification | Giving human qualities to something lifeless e.g. The door squeaked | Parody | Conscious imitation of another word | Repetition | Repeat a word/phrase/idea | Formal | Conventional | Denouement | Resolution Of plot, play etc | Discourse | A way of communication usually in a group, institute etc | Emotive | Creates emotion e.g. Sad, happy etc | Hyperbole | Deliberate exaggeration for effect. E.g. Endless cry of death and pain | Jargon | Technical terms specific to a particular subject | Metaphor | Something is said to be something else e.g. You're a bear | Contrast | To show difference when comparing | Symbolism | Image used to represent an idea | Informal | More appropriate in spoken language | Similes | Show how something is similar e.g. Like/as | Rhetorical question | A question which does not require a response for it is implied | Tone | How something sounds e.g. Mysterious/serious etc | Colloquial | Relating to conversation (Conversational/informal) | Alliteration | Repetition of sound e.g. Big Blue Bike |