Unseen Nonfiction Analysis and Transactional Writing Exam

1. Section A: 7 questions on two unseen nonfiction extracts Section B: a piece of ‘transactional’ writing (speech, letter, article, blog, etc.) In Section A, Questions 1-3 will focus on the first extract, Questions 4-6 on the second, and Question 7 on both (compare both extracts).

2. Timings: • You have 1 hour 15 minutes to answer all of the questions in Section A. • You should give yourself a good 15 minutes to read all of the questions and the extracts first. • It’s then about a mark per minute (i.e. spend 15 minutes on a 15 mark question), which will leave you around 4 minutes to check your answers at the end. As you read the extracts, what would it be a good idea to do?

3. 15 minutes at the start – use it wisely! • Read Text 1. As you read text 1, make a note of any interesting language and structural features (this will help with Q1,2,3) • Read Text 2. As you read text 2, consider what elements are engaging and make a note of any interesting language and structural features (this will help with Q4,5,6,7) • Re-read both texts. Jot down any differences or similarities between the two texts (to help with Q7). • Spend a few minutes looking over the first two questions – draw a box around the area they want you to focus on. • Start answering the questions, returning to skim read for answers throughout. REMEMBER: You can return and skim read the texts at any point. You don’t need to do all the thinking now but this will help to prepare you!

4. Questions 1 and 2 What do you have to do for Questions 1 and 2? How many marks? Q1. ‘Identify two things…’ (2 marks) Q2. ‘Give one example of how language is used…’ (2 marks) Q1 is designed to check your understanding (AO1). You can quote directly from the text or use your own words. Q2 is designed to test your understanding of language and implicit meaning (AO2). You should give one short, precise quotation and then briefly explain what effect it creates, in relation to the task.

5. Question 3 Top tip: For language, try to look at techniques as well as vocabulary. For structure, explore sentence length/structure, paragraphing, punctuation, the way the tone/mood develops from the beginning to the end, etc. What do you have to do for Question 3? How many marks? Q3. ‘Analyse how the writer uses language and structure to…’ (15 marks) Q3 is designed to test your ability to analyse the writer’s methods, using carefully chosen evidence to back up your ideas. You should use a range of terminology and explore the use of both language AND structure. Aim to write approx. 3 detailed paragraphs.

7. Questions 4 and 5 What do you have to do for Questions 4 and 5? How many marks? Q4. ‘Identify/show/when/what/where…’ (1 mark) Q5. ‘Give one example of how the writer uses language to…’ (1 mark) Q5 is designed to test your understanding of language and implicit meaning (AO2). You should give one short, precise quotation. Even though this question is worth one mark you must still give an explanation as it asks HOW. Q4 is designed to check your understanding (AO1). You can quote directly from the text or use your own words.

8. Question 6 What do you have to do for Question 6? How many marks? Q6. ‘Evaluate how successfully…’ (15 marks) Q6 is designed to test your ability to respond to a statement with your own critical judgment (AO3). You need to show that you can back up your ideas with evidence and come to a considered conclusion. You should write approx. 3 paragraphs, using a range of evidence and analysis to support your ideas.

9. Question 6

10. Q7a) is designed to test your ability to spot similaritiesbetween the texts (AO1). You should use evidence from both texts but you don’t need to analysetechniques in detail. You must be precise and synthesis (don’t tell the story!) What do you have to do for Question 7? How many marks? Q7. a) What are the similarities between… (6 marks) b) ‘Compare how the writers present their ideas and perspectives about…’ (14 marks) Q7b) is designed to test your understanding of the implicitideas and perspectives in the texts, making links between Text 1 and Text 2 (AO3). You could focus on ideas, attitudes, themes, tone, language/structure, etc.

12. Question 3 • Question 6 • Question 7a • Question 7b

13. The writing tasks will be linked by a theme to the texts in Section A of paper 2. Different aspects of the theme will be addressed in each task. Remember to only pick one question to answer. You must be aware of and plan for the: Purpose - What is the purpose of your writing? To inform/describe/entertain/advise/persuade? Audience – Who are you meant to be writing for? What tone would be appropriate? Form– are thereany conventions of thiswritingthatyou must include? For example, a greeting or salutation Think about how the purpose, audience and form will impact your choice of language, literary devices, punctuation, sentence structure and whole text structure.

14. Timings: 5 minutes planning 30-35 minutes writing 5 minutes checking Different forms, purposes and audiences will require you to use different literary techniques. Make sure you identify the focus and plan these!

15. In your opening you must grab the examiner’s attention by…

18. For each of the following tasks write a plan, the first eight lines and the last eight lines • Use the success criteria to guide your writing • a) Write a formal letter to your local council complaining about a road being built over a playing field • b) Write an obituary for a real or imaginary pop star • c) Write an article for a newspaper exploring the idea that everyone should visit Romsey • d) Write an opinion article for an online newspaper arguing that global warming is the most important issue facing our planet • e) Write about an important event in your life • f) Write a newspaper report about a recent national event • g) Write a speech for fellow students arguing that education is the key to future success • h) Write a section of a school text book on a topic of your choice (for any subject)