GCSE English Revision: Unit 1

Showing posts with label Unit 1. Show all posts

Wednesday, 20 May 2015

5 Top Tips for Q5 &6 - higher and foundation.

1. Make sure that you plan:

2. Use a range of Punctuation accurately:

3.Vocabulary

Learn some impressive words here http://www.geoffbarton.co.uk/files/student-resources/GCSE-A*/GB-Top-level-vocab.pdf

Revision tip - type a paragraph and put it into 'Wordle' this will give you an over-view of the range of words you are using. Aim to improve these words if they seem dull.

4. Structure. Think about the structure of your work as it will impress the examiner if it is clear that you have thought about it. Think about hooking the reader and maybe leaving information to the end, use cliff-hangers or end with a thought-provoking statement.

5. Finally, use language techniques. Work out the GAP (Genre Audience and Purpose) and then tailor your writing accordingly. For example if it is asking you to be descriptive use similes, metaphors and imagery or if it asking you to be informative, use facts and statistics, etc.

Friday, 8 May 2015

Five More Things You Must Revise For English...

1. The types of questions on the paper.

Look through past papers and familiarise yourself with what is asked and how it is asked. Look up any words and phrases which may confuse you such as:
How does the writer present,..
This is asking you to look for how the writer uses language techniques to achieve his or her purpose.
How is language used for effect
This is asking you to explain how language has an effect on the reader - try to link this to the overall purpose of the text and identify language techniques where possible.
Explain the ways,
Again, this is asking you to explain techniques used by the writer to achieve their purpose.
'What do you understand' and 'What do you learn..'
These questions are testing your comprehension of what you have read, the question will want you to read between the lines, make inferences and be perceptive. This type of question does NOT require you to analyse language.
Find past papers here on the AQA web site http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english-language-4705/past-papers-and-mark-schemes

2. Semantic Fields

A semantic field is a set of words grouped semantically (that is, by meaning), referring to a specific subject. If you can identify a semantic field of words in a piece of writing it could help you to reach the top band of the mark scheme (see below):

offers a full and detailed understanding of the texts in relation to language

You could also refer to it as a lexical field: a group of words referring to the same topic, e.g. ‘flames’, ‘damnation’ and ‘hell’. This is most worth commenting on where there’s an interesting contrast, e.g. love described as ‘war’ - something unexpected which shows us a strange truth about love: it can be hurtful, violent, you can feel destroyed, etc.

This normally highlights a particular mood.
How to write about it: ‘flames suggest it is burning, unstoppable, and links to the idea of ‘hell’. The semantic field of 'hell' suggests that this is moral evil, not just a bad situation.’

Thank you to http://englishtutorhome2.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/how-to-get-a-or-at-english-language.html for this definition. Revise other subject terminology to impress the examiner by following the link.

3. Link your revision - practising Q4 skills will also help your literature analysis and vice-versa.

Remember, when approaching language analysis, always ask yourself, 'Why has the writer chosen that word?' and 'What effect does it have on the reader?'.

4. Always Plan!

For Q5 and 6, use the first page of your answer paper to dedicate to a detailed plan. This will help you to get marks for the structure of your work. Watch this video about how to plan effectively:

Thank you helpmemrdavies!

5. Learn how to use compound, complex and simple sentences and use them all in the first paragraph to create a great impression on the examiner! Mr Davies can help you to revise this too...

Monday, 30 March 2015

Explain Everything Videos-Foundation Tier English Language

The Explain Everything videos have been produced to allow you to learn how to answer exam questions in your own time, by watching videos recorded by your own teachers. We recommend that you watch them several times, as you approach your exam on the 2nd June.