Exam answer tips
Before you start writing your answer you should spend five minutes reading the extracts, highlighting / underlining anything you feel is important and planning what you will write. Think about how you can break down your answer into logical paragraphs and remember the importance of comparing the texts.
A good approach to begin with is to highlight any language or narrative techniques which relate to the key terms of the question. In the sample question the key terms you must think about are 鈥榗ompare鈥, 鈥榗ontrast鈥, 鈥榟ow ... texts created their character鈥.
Make sure you address each of these three areas and use the key terms throughout your answer. This helps to keep your response focused as you create your argument.
Here are some questions which may guide your reading of the texts:
- What are the extracts about?
- Where are the extracts set?
- How do the extracts start?
- What is the structure of each extract?
- Are there any links between the texts?
- How do the extracts engage the reader?
- How is character developed in the extracts?
- What is the tone and mood of the extracts?
- What narrative style is used? Is there an authorial voiceThe voice of the controlling presence behind the plot and characters of a story. The authorial voice could be a fiction created by the author, rather than truly representing their views.?
- What linguistic devices Ways in which an author plays with language in order to influence the reader 鈥 for example by using rhyming words, clich茅s and metaphors. are used in the extracts and why?
- What style of language and form is adopted by the writers?
- How do the authors use punctuation? What is the effect?
- How do the extracts end?
It is also important to include comments on the effects of the writer鈥檚 craft and the use of language and stylistic devices. Here are some ideas to look for:
- structure of the text - for example beginnings, climax, sequentialHappening in a logical order. / chronologicalEvents are written or spoken about in the order in which they actually happened. ordering, flashback, conclusion
- descriptive techniques - for example vocabulary choices, use of imageryThe use of language to create images and pictures in the reader's mind. and the senses
- creation of character - for example through narrator鈥檚 descriptions, use of dialogue, actions
- narration - for example omniscientAll knowing - an omniscient narrator is one who knows all of the thoughts and feelings of the characters in a story. narrator, first person narration, multiple narrators鈥 use of personaThe voice adopted by an author for a particular purpose, this voice does not necessarily reflect the author's true thoughts. It can also mean a mask that someone presents to the world as their real character ('persona' is the Latin word for an actor's mask). , autobiography
- cohesiveFitting together well to form a united whole. elements - for example repetition of words or ideas, climax, suspense, sequentialHappening in a logical order. ordering
- disjunctiveLacking any clear connection or consistency. elements - for example cliffhangerA plot device featuring a character in a perilous or difficult situation, used to ensure that an audience will return to see how the situation unfolds. endings, flashbacks
- use of punctuation and other typographical effects - for example italics, capitalisation, suspension points
You should use short quotations from the extract to support your ideas.