Transcript Reading Non-Fiction
E F G A* A B C D
Higher Language exam grade boundaries
Grade Out of 80 (40 marks section A & 40 marks section B) 61 – 80 55 – 60 49 – 54 44 – 48 39 - 43
Higher
READING NON-FICTION
Reading Non-Fiction
This paper is about testing your understanding of 3 non-fiction (not story) texts.
There are 4 questions that will always be in the same order. Question 4 (the double mark question) is always where pupils fall down – so work hard on that one.
Question One
This question is all about trying to show that you understand the article.
My advice is to spend 15 minutes on this question; that involves reading, highlighting evidence AND
answering the question.
STEP ONE: Read source one & highlight about 6 points.
STEP TWO: Write.
Question One
How to structure your answers
(bits in red are from mark scheme)
: Give the first of the writer’s points in your own words, embedding a piece of
‘evidence’
, e.g. We learn that the tribe grow ‘maize, sweet potato’ as well as
‘cotton’.
Show that you understand
‘less obvious detail’
, e.g. This shows that they
are self-sufficient.
Make
‘connections
’ &
‘interpret the text’
, e.g. Therefore they don’t require
‘contact’ with the outside world.
Go on to your next point. To get into that top band you need to show that you
‘fully’
understand the text so refer to all parts of the article not just one bit! But don’t forget that you only have 15 minutes in total!
Question Two
This question is about showing you understand how the headline and picture are used.
Again, my advice is to spend 15 minutes on this question; that involves reading, highlighting evidence
AND answering the question.
STEP ONE: Read source two & highlight evidence in the article that links to the headline and the picture.
STEP TWO: Write.
Question Two
How to structure your answers
(bits in red are from mark scheme)
:
‘Detailed ‘
P.E.E. of the presentational features used in the Plus, discuss the use of language, embedding
intrigues the reader.
‘evidence’ headline
(e.g. bold, colour, etc. – read the ‘Presentational Devices’ document that’s on the English blog ). when you do so, e.g. The
use of an exclamation mark after the word ‘Slimezilla’ emphasises the word and makes the reader pause which adds to the dramatic effect. Furthermore, the word itself suggests that the article will be about some sort of disgusting slimy monster, which
‘Link’
to the article, e.g. This turns out to be a “huge jellyfish”.
‘Detailed ‘
P.E.E. of the
picture
and its connotations; remind yourself of camera shots - PPT is on the English blog, e.g. A long shot of a diver alongside the jellyfish
allows the reader to actually see its enormous size.
‘Link’
to the article, e.g. This reinforces the article’s assertion that it’s “6ft wide, up to
200kg in weight”.
Question Three
This question is about showing you understand the thoughts and feelings of an individual or individuals.
Once again, my advice is to spend 15 minutes on this question; that involves reading, highlighting evidence AND
answering the question.
STEP ONE: Read source three & highlight evidence in the article that shows thoughts and feelings.
STEP TWO: Write.
Question Three
How to structure your answers
(bits in red are from mark scheme)
: P.E.E. that
knife…
‘interprets’
thoughts and feelings, e.g. When Bill
sits “bolt upright”, it’s clear that he’s fearful at this point. Furthermore, it suggests that he thinks he’s in danger as he’s not going to wait around to find out what the noise is. This idea of danger is reinforced when he “instinctively” reaches for his
Identify another piece of evidence that ideally shows a different thought/feeling. Refer to all parts of the article not just one bit!
Question Four
You need to compare the way language is used differently in TWO texts. This is the whopper question and can be the difference between an A* and a B or between a C and a U!
My advice is to spend 3!
30 minutes
on this question; that involves skim- reading, highlighting AND answering the question. Hopefully you will have done some of this already when reading the texts for Questions 1 STEP ONE: Skim-read source three & either source one or two. Highlight evidence that allows you to show your knowledge of language AS WELL AS show you understand WHY it’s been written (Purpose, Audience, Text type).
STEP TWO: Write.
Question Four
Right, firstly, don’t forget that although
source 3
is also non fiction (they all are), it tends to be written in
narrative (story) form (usually in 1 st person with lots of description!)
as it wants to
entertain. Look for language that shows this, e.g. similes, metaphors, onomatopoeia, etc. and explain why they’ve been used – PAT.
Although
sources 1 and 2
may use similar techniques to source 3
(find them if they’re there!)
, language tends to be
more impersonal / factual used – PAT.
; this is often where you’ll find lots of IAMAFORESTER techniques. Again, explain why they’ve been
Question Four
Here’s an example:
In source 3, direct speech is used to change the tone. Bill’s response to Katz is that if it’s a skunk, it must be big as “its eyes are three feet off the ground”. This injects a bit of humour into the extract and breaks the tension but still allows the reader to understand that Bill is petrified of “whatever it was”. The use of the word “whatever” also creates tension for the reader as they have to wait to see whether or not it’s a “bear”. In source 1, direct speech has “remain isolated from the outside world”. reader feel guilty.
However, unlike source 3, also
been used when Fiona Watson states that the tribe will survive only if they speech has been used here as an expert opinion to reinforce how serious the threat is. Furthermore, the words “outside world” have been repeated in order to emphasise the fact that we are the danger, which will perhaps make the
If you can’t spot any similarities, don’t worry, simply mention the differences, e.g. Unlike source 1, source 3 doesn’t use any statistics. However,
it does use…
Timing is key!
Question
1
Question
2
Question
3
Question
4
(
8
marks): (
8
marks):
15
minutes
15
minutes (
8
marks):
15
minutes (
16 marks!
):
30
minutes Some of you may wish to consider starting with Question 4 to ensure you don’t get your timing wrong and lose
a lot
of marks!
Reading non-fiction revision
Perhaps try some of the following ideas: 1.
2.
3.
Split a piece of A3 paper into 4 and put top tips or step by step instructions in each quarter regarding how to do each question.
Practise the one question that you find most difficult (receive lowest marks) – ask your teacher to mark it.
Get a past paper, time yourself (1¼ hours), complete and hand in for marking.
Higher
WRITING NON-FICTION
Writing Non-Fiction
You will have to write two non-fiction texts.
START WITH QUESTION 6 FIRST AS IT’S WORTH MORE MARKS!
Question 6
usually asks you to
persuade or argue
. It is worth
24 marks
and you are advised to spend
35 minutes
on it. It’s usually an article but the target audience varies.
Question 5
usually asks you to
explain
(it may also ask you to describe or inform). It is worth
16 marks
and you are advised to spend
25 minutes
on it. It’s usually either a blog entry or an article and the target audience varies.
Question Six
STEP ONE: Read and highlight the
purpose
,
text type
and
target audience
.
STEP TWO:
Mindmap
your ideas & number them – don’t forget to think about that punchy opening and clever ending when doing so. This should take
no longer than 5 minutes
.
STEP THREE:
Write for 30 mins max
. And don’t go for the usual ideas, make it interesting!
WRITING TO PERSUADE
WHAT TO INCLUDE HOW TO WRITE IT
Disguise your opinion as fact.
Argue why you’re right – use IAMAFORESTER techniques Use other persuasive techniques
(look at persuasive techniques sheet on the blog)
such as an anecdote and similes/metaphors.
Use humour, sarcasm, irony, hyperbole.
Use counter arguments…then tear them apart.
Summary statement.
PARAGRAPH (TiP ToP) Include a short paragraph for effect (1, 2 or 3 words ideally).
Variety of sentence types (long sentence then a short sentence for effect) Vary sentence openings Correct spellings including homophones (they’re, there & their / your & you’re) Use a variety of punctuation correctly:
, . ? ! () – ; :
Adventurous vocabulary (WOW words)
Question Five
STEP ONE: Read and highlight the
purpose
,
text type
and
target audience
.
STEP TWO:
Mindmap
your ideas & number them – don’t forget to think about that punchy opening and clever ending when doing so. This should take
no longer than 5 minutes
.
STEP THREE:
Write for 20 mins max
. And don’t go for the usual ideas, you’ll bore the examiner, e.g. if you’re asked to describe your favourite location, describe a prison.
WRITING TO EXPLAIN
WHAT TO INCLUDE HOW TO WRITE IT
Present the reader with a set of reasons.
Write a clear, detailed explanation of the reasons.
Use causal connectives such as since, because and therefore.
Although you’re not persuading, those IAMAFORESTER techniques may still come in handy!
Use anecdotes and similes/metaphors to bring your writing alive.
Where appropriate include humour, sarcasm, irony, hyperbole.
PARAGRAPH (TiP ToP) Include a short paragraph for effect (1, 2 or 3 words ideally).
Variety of sentence types (long sentence then a short sentence for effect) Vary sentence openings Correct spellings including homophones (they’re, there & their / your & you’re) Use a variety of punctuation correctly:
, . ? ! () – ; :
Adventurous vocabulary (WOW words)
Summary statement.
Writing non-fiction revision Try the following:
1.
2.