Higher English: Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation Revision

General Information The time allocated for the RUAE examination is one and a half hours. There are two passages. The last question is an evaluation question concerning the main ideas of both passages. Don’t forget it: it is worth five marks.

Understanding Ideas If the question asks you to identify the reasons for the writer’s attitude, feelings or view, you must use your own words! Try to answer this type of question in bullets points. If the question if worth three marks, write three bullet points.

Language Question This is an umbrella term in which you can comment on word choice, imagery, sentence structure and tone. You must refer (quote) from the text. You must explain the connotations of the word, or the root and figurative meaning of the image or the effect of the sentence structure.

Language Questions If the question asks you to analyse two features of language each answer must focus on two separate techniques, such as word choice, sentence structure and imagery. Remember, at National 5 level the main focus was to identify the language feature such as metaphor, word choice… At Higher level, in order to gain marks you must comment on the effectiveness of the language technique.

Attitude When you are asked about attitude you must explicitly state what the attitude is. Attitude – thoughts/concerns/feelings eg. Disapproval Once you have identified the attitude you should then convey how this attitude is made present by the use of language techniques.

Word Choice If there is a question on word choice, or even language and it is worth up to two marks provide two examples.

Evaluation Question This will usually be the final question on passage one. Focus on the final paragraph and search for connections such as ideas, tone and word choice which can be found in other parts of the passage. Remember to refer to the text (quotations).

Final Question The final question is worth up to five marks. You can use bullet points or continuous prose. You must refer to both passages equally. You must identify at least three areas of agreement and/or disagreement and support your answer with evidence from both passages. Remember, you must use your own words to explain what the agreement or disagreement is before you quote from the passages.

Final Question Remember, you must use your own words to explain what the agreement or disagreement is before you quote from the passages. For example in the 2013 paper, the question was: Consider the attitude displayed by each writer towards shopping. Identify key areas on which they disagree. You should support the points you make by referring to important ideas in the passages.

Example Answer Both writers disagree about the impact of shopping and how it can make us happy. Carol Midgley says that it can give us short term pleasure but longer term unhappiness as consumers can never be satisfied: ‘Every time we are seduced into buying one product, another appears that is ‘new’, ‘improved’, better than the one you have.’ Will Hutton says that shopping is fun and gives continuous pleasure through seeking new things: ‘My experience of shopping in Hong Kong recently has made me realise that shopping is enormous fun and profoundly satisfying.’