1. TOP TIPS for the Higher Language Paper Preparation and Exam Technique are the Key to Success

2. When are the exams? Language 10 th January 9.00 am Arrive at 8.45am Ensure that you know where you will be sitting the exam. Literature resit 16 th January 9.00am Arrive at 8.45 Ensure that you know where you will be sitting the exam

3. What will the paper look like? Section A – Reading You will be given an insert – an A3 sheet of paper which has 3 nonfiction texts, called ‘Sources.’ You will be given an answer booklet, on which the questions are printed and you must write your answers – clearly. There are 4 questions altogether. You must answer all of them. Section B – Writing There are two writing tasks: one is a shorter writing task and the other is a longer writing task. You are NOT expected to fill up all of the pages. Make sure that you answer BOTH questions.

4. How long is the exam? The exam is 2 hours and 15 minutes long. You must spend 1 hour and 15 minutes on section A (Reading)and one hour on section B (Writing).

5. How many marks are the questions worth? The questions are worth different amounts; it will say at the end of the question how much it is worth. 1 = 8 marks 2 = 8 marks 3 = 8 marks 4 = 16marks Clearly, you need to spend the most time and write more for the question 4.

6. What should I do first? The first thing you must do is read Source 1 and ensure that you understand it. Now answer question 1 in the answer booklet. You will be expected to find some information from the text, (Source 1) and offer your thoughts and insights about it. Make sure that you make direct reference to the text; use quotations and offer detailed explanations of them. Use at least 3-4 quotations in your explanation.

7. I have answered question 1-now what? Now read Source 2. Look at Question 2. It will ask you about the presentation and layout of Source 2. This question will ask you to make a direct link between specific aspects of presentation/layout and the actual content of the text. Example: Explain how the headline and picture are effective and how they link to the text. Make sure that you answer the question and not just talk about the presentation generally. Here you are expected to focus your analysis on just the picture and the headline and explain how the writer uses the picture and headline to reflect and further explain the main ideas of the text.

8. You can talk about language in this question if it is relevant. The question asks you to look at how the headline links to the text. You may discuss how the colour and font of the headline help to explain the text’s main ideas but you should also discuss the actual words of the headline. Headlines often make use of puns or acronyms. Discuss how the language of the headline works to explain and reflect the ideas within the text.

9. What now? Read Source 3. (This is always a literary type of nonfiction text, such as an autobiography, biography, diary entry, journal, blog etc). It will reflect thoughts, feelings and emotions. Now answer Question 3. You are expected to make inferences about the thoughts and feelings of the writer and this can only be inferred from the linguistic, grammatical and structural choices of the writer. You must choose key words and short phrases which demonstrate the thoughts and feelings of the writer. Explain in detail what it is you infer from these specific words and phrases. Explore connotations of word choices. How do these relate to thoughts and feelings? How do the lengths of sentences, paragraphing and use of punctuation help to reflect the thoughts and feelings of the writer?

10. You will be told to compare Source 3 with another Source of your choice in the way that language is used by the writers. For Question 4, you will be told to look at how the writer in Source 3 uses language and you will need to choose which source will make a good comparison with regards to how the writers are using language to reflect the mood and main ideas in the texts. This question is worth the most marks. This is the question where most students tend to drop marks –make sure this does not happen to you.

11. How do I ensure that I answer this question successfully? Start by comparing how the texts are similar or different in terms of the main ideas and mood of each text. Then look at key words and short phrases within each text that demonstrate these similarities or differences. Once you have identified the key words and phrases from each text, write about them in as much detail as possible. Write a lot about a little. You might look at the connotations of words and how this causes the reader to react in certain ways. You might explore the reasons behind the writers’ language choices and the effectiveness of these choices. You may notice that the writers use devices such as simile or metaphor. If this is the case, avoid the temptation to simply mention it. Discuss it in detail. How does it work to engage the reader? What is the writer trying to achieve in each text?

12. Writers also use sentence length and type and punctuation to create specific effects. Look at how the writers of each text use sentence lengths or types to create particular effects. For example, long lists often create a ‘busy’ or ‘rushed’ mood. Long complex sentences with lots of subordinate clauses are sometimes used to reflect difficult or complicated ideas. Simple and minor sentences can be used to give a sense of anger, urgency, fear or desperation.

13. Imperatives (commands) can also be used to alter the mood of a text and make demands on the reader. Exclamatory sentences tend to evoke strong emotions and can therefore be used to engage sympathy, empathy or simply just build a rapport with the reader. Rhetorical questions might also be used in this way.

14. Consider the narrative that the text uses. Is it first, second or third person? What effect does this have on the way that we relate to the ideas within the text? Does the writer use brackets or inverted commas to demonstrate sarcasm, cynicism or humour? How does this enhance our appreciation of the text?

15. Think about how the writers use adjectives. Are they conventional or original? What images do they evoke? What about their choices of verbs or adverbs? How do they enhance the mood or the main ideas within the text? How do they relate to the reader or work to achieve the purpose(s) of the text?

16. Question 4 also tests your ability to compare. You must use connectives which demonstrate similarities and differences. SimilaritesDifferences Similarly... This is similar to... In the same way... This can also be seen... This is also the case with.. However... Contrastingly... This is different to... This is not the case with...

17. What about timings? You need to spend about 35 minutes answering questions 1, 2 and 3. Spend 25 minutes answering question 4. (It is worth the most marks!) The remainder of the 1 hour 15 minutes will be spent reading the sources. Make sure that you leave one hour for Section B.

18. Section B - Writing Remember there are two questions and you must answer both of them. The answer booklet is very long and you will have to flick through it to find question 2. You do NOT need to fill the answer booklet.

19. How much should I write for each question and how long should I spend on each question? For the shorter writing task, Question 5, you need to write about 1 and ½ sides. (Spend 20-25 minutes on this task). For the longer writing task, Question 6, you need to write about 2 – 2 and ½ sides. (Spend 35-40 minutes on this task).

20. What are the writing questions like? The questions give you the opportunity to write for distinct purposes and in a distinct form. It is important that you think about how to write appropriately for the specific purpose and the specific form.

21. Make sure you consider your audience and what they would like to read. Types of purposeTypes of Form Describe Explain Persuade Argue Entertain Imagine Discuss Website Article Letter Speech Journal Blog

22. Language devices. You need to ensure that your piece is interesting to the reader: Use an interesting and wide range of vocabulary. Use devices such as the ‘rule of three.’ Use imaginative similes and metaphors. Use rhetorical questions to make the reader feel like you are really talking to them. Make use of alliteration and onomatopoeia.

23. Structural devices Make sure that your piece has a clear beginning, middle and end. Try to make a connection between the end and the beginning. Use paragraphs to help guide the reader through your text. Use a range of longer and shorter sentences. (Remember short sentences are great for creating impact!) Try to use a wide range of punctuation – semi colons and explanation marks as well as full stops and commas.

24. Typical short writing task question A place can appear to be very different if you visit it at different times of year. Choose a place that you know well and describe it at two different times of year for a travel website.