unfamiliar text exam freak out
DESCRIPTION
Unfamiliar text, close reading, techniques, language, English, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 Exam, NCEA, NZQATRANSCRIPT
UNFAMILIAR
TEXT Face your exam fears!
Created by Karen Mills.
Don’t fear the
exam process.
You know this stuff…
The paper
This is your paper. You have paid for it. You own this paper. You have worked hard for years to get here.
THREE sections
Prose
A text that is usually about a
personal incident.
Prose – Linguistic techniques
– Narration – Mood – Tone – Syntax – Semantics
Who is telling the story
Persona (usually poetry)
Voice
Context
Past/ present/ future
Sentence structure
Short – suspense /tension
Long – descriptive /slow
Poetry A poem that is usually written
by a New Zealand poet.
POETRY
– Figurative Language – Semantics – Syntax – Narration
Read to the punctuation
Is there a change of tense?
Is this about the past/future?
Comparisons
Puns
Multi levels of meaning
Extended metaphor
formal text A speech or formal writing that is given/written by
someone important
Formal text - Linguistic techniques - Mood - Tone - Semantics - Narration - Anecdotes - Statistics
Colloquial language Cliché
Euphemism Superlative
Comparative Emotive language
Parts of speech Adjectives
Verbs Nouns
Adverbs Conjunctions
Pronouns Possessive pronouns
Knowledge
You are
unique
You have your own knowledge base. You grew up in this environment. You belong to a group of people.
You have relationships (family and friends).
You have survived on this planet for years. You have individual experiences.
You love. You fear.
Seven aspects of literary style
1.Tone 2.Mood
3.Narration 4.Syntax
5.Semantics 6.Figurative Language 7.Linguistic Techniques
To help you remember…
“I’m not a fossil” M N T F S S L
Mood Feeling or atmosphere created by key words. Usually an emotional response.
Mysterious Enchanted
Eerie Joyous
Narration 1st, 2nd or 3rd person
Omniscient Interior monologue
Stream of consciousness Personal point of view
Active Passive
Tone Author’s Attitude
Key Words Connotation
Emotive Language (Sincere, Enthusiastic, Sarcastic, Jovial)
Figurative language - Imagery Personification
Simile and/or Metaphor Hyperbole Allusion
Pre-post modification Symbolism
Syntax Simple, Minor or Incomplete sentences
Compound sentence Rhetorical question
Listing Parallel structure
Semantics - word meanings Archaic terms (old fashioned terms) Dénotation (literal meaning of words)
Woman, chick = female Connotation (emotion word evokes)
Bimbo = negative connotation of female Emotive language
Linguistic Techniques Alliteration Assonance
Onomatopoeia Rhyme Rhythm
O O
D
A
R R
A T
I O
N
O N
E
I G U R A T I V E
Y N
T A X
E M
A N
T
I
C
S
I N G U I S T I C
Knowledge
Identify the language technique used AND give an
example from the text.
Metaphor Ono
Personification
Noun Verb
Alli 1st Person Adjective Pronoun Simile
Explain how the author conveys a…
Message Intention
Theme/Idea Purpose
Evaluate the technique, why it was used and what
effect it has on the reader.
Appreciation
What do I need? A highlighter pen Pens and pencils
A good night’s sleep Don’t try cramming information
Breathe deep Know that the last few years have
not been wasted….
Read the entire passage or poem, including the title, author and any footnotes.
Write down two or three quick jottings of impressions/ideas.
Read through again with a pencil/highlighter marking techniques, links, peculiarities, themes. Try to identify the writer’s intention.
Read questions. Skim text to find relevant material, close read
for context. Answer confidently.
Attempt all questions!!!!!!!! Trust your instincts.
Consider doing this Achievement Standard last.
Write on your exam paper –you paid for it!
If all else fails say any technique is used for “emphasis” but explain
what it is emphasising.
Good Luck!