nonfictionandmedia


 * __Unit 1: Non-Fiction and Media Exam Revision[[image:greek-magazines.jpg align="right"]]__**

This exam has two parts. You will have to answer questions on different texts that you have read in Section A, THEN you will also need to revise Writing To Inform, Explain and Describe to complete a task in Section B.

Below is a step by step guide to success in the Non-Fiction and Media (Unit 1) exam. You can also download this Powerpoint to get you started: .


 * Click on the PDF documents below to download a Past Paper from 2006. Practise the exam you are entered for. Either:**


 * __Section A__**

Why not practice by **__regularly reading news and magazine articles__**, considering their purpose and audience as well as the language used and the way they are presented. Get reading and practising understanding articles effectively. **PICK UP A COPY OF** **First News** **FROM THE** **Learning Resource Centre**
 * In the exam you will be asked to read a text and write about the Purpose, Audience, Language and the Layout used in different Non-fiction and Media texts and comment on the effects of these. These texts could be websites, magazine articles, newspaper articles etc.**


 * __SKILLS FOR SUCCESS IN NON-FICTION/MEDIA__**

You will need to know the difference between facts and opinions. You should remember that:
 * Facts can be proven = they must be true. Facts are both powerful and strong – these can be used to inform, convince or persuade people of a certain situation.
 * Opinion = is someone’s personal belief – they think or feel it.
 * Watch out for opinions that seem like facts – i.e. “It is a fact that…” – this is a way of tricking you the reader into believing an opinion.
 * Opinions can be convincing – they might be used in text to persuade you of a point of view with emotive language being used and other techniques such as repetition.

You will also be asked to focus on presentational devices: As a useful revision tip in the exam hall, on the paper, at the top of the page you should write the letters: PALL –


 * PURPOSE**
 * AUDIENCE**
 * LANGUAGE**
 * LAYOUT**


 * These are the headings that can help you make notes on your text.**
 * 1. Purpose**:
 * To inform
 * To entertain
 * To explain
 * To persuade
 * To convince
 * To instruct

Ask yourself: what is the text trying to do? Think how is it doing this? Think about the layout and the language.


 * 2. Audience** – this is who the text is aimed at:
 * Young
 * Old
 * Mixed audience
 * Adults
 * Children/ teens?

Think about the layout and the language, this will help you to work out the intended audience in the text. Ask yourself how you know it is for the intended audience.


 * 3. Language** – the words and sentences and style that has been chosen and the effect on the reader the writer wants these words/phrases to have:
 * Formal
 * Informal
 * Chatty
 * Complex/ serious
 * Alliterative/ descriptive
 * Emotive

ALWAYS comment on the language that has been used – this is the hardest part but will get you higher grades because it is a challenge. Think WHY certain words/phrases were chosen - what effect are they designed to have? Read the text thinking about the choice of words – look out for: similes/ metaphors/ alliteration/ catchphrases/ Think about the tone of the words chosen; are they – positive or negative? Look for adjectives – descriptive words – are they over the top? Are they vivid – do they make things come to life? Or is the language mostly factual and informative?


 * AIM** to pick out language details when you are reading through the text – highlight words and phrases that stand out.


 * 4. Layout – this is the presentation – there is so much to comment on – but remember always explain the effect on a reader. Why are these aspects of layout deliberately chosen by writers when they construct texts?**
 * **Alliteration** – makes the text catchy – quick to read – grabs attention
 * **Bullet points** – good way to organise a text
 * **Captions** can help readers understand a picture or even shape their understanding
 * **Colour** – there are lots of connections and links – colours reinforce messages – blue= crisp/cold/clean. Red= passionate/dangerous/sex/roses
 * **Columns** – a way of organising text – and helping the text to be clear to the reader.
 * **Fonts** – classic/ formal/ old-fashioned/ modern etc – Fonts are chosen to impact on different audiences - and to grab attention.
 * **Graphs/ diagrams** – help make difficult info easy to grasp
 * **Headings** – important as a way to organise the text
 * **Images** - Similes – like/as or metaphors – direct comparisons – these work to create images in words – so you can see the thing being described
 * **Italics** //– emphasises information//
 * **Logos** – symbol of a company – represents things
 * **Maps** – helpful in giving people info – finding or showing a place
 * **Paragraphs** – organising text – comment if they are small – short/ easier to read or longer and more detailed- this makes a difference to a text and to the reader – connects with AUDIENCE
 * **Pictures/ images** bring the text to life and grab attention – they can also break up the text, which is useful.
 * **Underlining** emphasises points made.
 * Always comment on the **first impression** the text has – what do //you// notice when you look at the text on the page?


 * MAKE SURE YOU HIGHLIGHT THE TEXT AS YOU READ IT.**

__**An 8 Step Guide to 'Writing a Response to a Reading Question' –**__

1) Have you got a good introductory paragraph that 'frames' your answer and clearly states your intentions by using key words directly from the question, showing an understanding of why the text was written? 2) Have you got a good understanding of PALL and and can comment on the effects on the reader. 3) Have you constructed a clear plan that is relative to the nature of the question you are answering? 4) Have you made **points** about the article to answer the question? 5) Have you backed up your points by selecting appropriate "quotes" and **evidence** from the text and **commented on them in relation to the question** using your own words and knowledge of PALL? 6) Have you structured your work into appropriate pargraphs that are connected together and flow? 7) Have you got an effective conclusion that attempts to answer the question, summing up all your evidence? 8) Have you used appropriate vocabulary, shown that you have excellent spelling and demonstrated that you can use a range of different punctuation?


 * __KEY IDEA:__**

The way you can achieve success in to **FLEX THOSE** **__PECS__**!

Evidence Comment in your own words and in relation to the question!**
 * Point


 * Linking Words and Statements That May Help With Analysis**

Firstly Primarily Chiefly Importantly The writer/author introduces … We are introduced to …
 * //Introduction://**

The reason for this is … From this, we can note that … Secondly. Thirdly etc. Moving on … The reader can see from this that … The author writes … because … Another … Also … Therefore … Significantly … We can see from this that … The writer then moves on to … Next Obviously, this shows that … This shows that … Following this … Then … This then means that … Penultimately (//last but one//) Later … It can be noted/said that …
 * //Main Body (Phrases to help you think about your __comments__)://**

In summary In conclusion It is important to conclude with … Weighing up the evidence, we can see that … Finally … Lastly. The message conveyed is therefore … Summarising, we can see that
 * //Conclusion://**


 * __General Non-Fiction Audio Aids__**

As well as the different audio files you can download for each writing triplet, you can also download audio files to your MP3 player to impove your knowledge of Non-Fiction and Media.


 * __Section B__** will ask you to complete a writing task.

You will be asked to produce a piece of continuous writing to **inform, explain, describe**, on a topic broadly linked to the reading material provided. You will be encouraged to develop your own ideas. You may refer to the reading materials in Section A, if you wish; however, **you do not have to**! The points on the following page are useful when producing structured responses to the writing task as well as the essays in response to the short stories and the poetry (if you are taking the Language and the Literature papers)
 * ONE task** will be set.


 * __Downloadable Files__**

Below is a list of audio files that you can download and listen to on your MP3 player. They will give you tips on styles of writing, typical questions and revision of key ideas like Genre and Audience and Purpose that will help you to succeed in the exam!

To listen to the real audio files you will need a RealOne player. If you haven't got this software find out how to [|**download your free version here**]. This will allow the best quality audio file for your internet connection to be played automatically.

Right-click on the different topics below and choose "Save Target As". You should then be able to save them to your MP3 player if connected to your computer.

[|**Typical Questions and Types of Text MP3**]

[|**Fact or Opinion? MP3**]

[|**Genre and Audience MP3**]


 * __[|Purpose of Texts MP3]

[|Focus On Language MP3]__

[|Presentation of Texts MP3]

[|Answering Questions Effectively MP3]**