Close Reading Some Advice

Firstly… You will be presented with two passages, one longer than the other Both passages will be non-fiction and their subject matter will be related. This is a test of your reading. You must read both passages – ALL THE WAY THROUGH. The whole test is out of 50.

Some advice Read passage one, then answer the questions. Do the same with passage two. Learn, practise and use speed reading techniques. Look carefully at the number of marks per question. You have no idea how many people lose out by not writing enough, or sometimes by writing too much.

U/A/E????? U/A/E stands for understanding, analysis and evaluation – the big three of Higher English Understanding= What has the writer said? Analysis= What effect was the writer looking for? Evaluation= What do you think of the writer’s technique?

Understanding These questions often make up the bulk of the paper. You should use your own words at this level. You are asked to summarise, define and convey your understanding of the writer’s words. DO NOT try to translate (unless you are asked to). It is better to read and then give the gist of what you have read rather than translate every word!

Context Questions In context questions, you are asked to say what a word means by using the information around it. You should firstly define the word by stating “Quote the word” means provide a definition Then provide examples from around the word that have roughly the same meaning and/or connotations.

The Link Question Sooooo easy! Identify the section of the sentence that refers back to the previous section – quote it. After that, state what the topic of the previous section was. Identify the section of the sentence that introduces the next section – quote it. After that, state what the topic of the next section was.

Link Question Template “Quote the part of the sentence that refers back to the previous section” Refers back to the previous section, which was about_________________________ “Quote the part of the sentence that introduces the next section” Introduces the next section, which was about_________________________

Analysis These can be broadly categorised into questions on imagery, tone, word choice and sentence structure: questions on technique. In other words, questions that relate to the writer’s use of language. Whenever a question begins “How does the writer’s language…” then these are the areas you are asked to look at.

Imagery These are easier to answer than you would think. Here you are asked to comment on simile, metaphor and personification. Key words here are “literal origin” You should always state the literal root of the phrase. Then you should go on to look at how it operates metaphorically. When you are asked about the writer’s language, then imagery is an easy way to score points.

Word Choice The key word here is “connotation”. You should quote the phrase and state the associations people may have with that idea. Again, you should relate it back to the question – what effect does it have?

Sentence Structure People find this hard. Again, you have to do more than simply identify the technique. Saying that a lot of commas create a list is the same as identifying a group of words as a simile. You have to identify what the purpose of the list is. Do this in relation to what the subject matter of the section is as well as answering the question – obviously!! Ensure you have knowledge of different sentence types and their effects.

Tone Don’t you hate it?! Have in your head a list of different names of tones (there are a number of them in the green book). There are two approaches to take: Firstly, “listen” to the text. Imagine what kind of voice you would put on if you were to read it out loud. Secondly, ask yourself what attitude the writer has here. Often this will lead you to the tone Then, look at what language the writer uses to achieve this tone. For example, use of childish words is very condescending and may suggest that the writer is mocking in his or her tone. A good tip is to approach this last bit as if it were a word choice question.

Evaluation To paraphrase Blackadder: you must have an opinion. Having an opinion is very important!! Evaluation is all about your opinion. Be thinking, as you read, what your stance is. The article could be about a current, controversial topic eg. Global warming, terrorism, racism. Start to form opinions on these topics and they may help you to evaluate the passage.

More general advice Be precise – don’t waffle. Use bullet points where you can (not in the last question) Read newspapers (not The Sun or other such entertaining trash) so that you are used to the style of writing. Practise, practise, practise. THINK!!!! Always identify what the question type is and put your skills into action.