Developing Your Answer - Section Nine — Media and Non-Fiction Questions

This book is a superb all-in-one guide to success GCSE English Language and English Literature - GCSE English 2003

Developing Your Answer
Section Nine — Media and Non-Fiction Questions

This is the bit where you need to be really critical about the piece of writing.

Don’t Get Sucked in when there’s No Evidence

1) Back your statements up with evidence to make them convincing — the more evidence used (from different sources), the more convincing it is.

2) Where there is no evidence, the writer will try to persuade you, using language.

3) Words to watch out for are POSSIBLY, ALLEGEDLY, APPARENTLY, SUPPOSEDLY, BELIEVE...

4) Don't get sucked in. Instead, write about the language in your answer.

5) Say that the language attempts to persuade you even though there are no concrete facts, and be sure to give a few examples. This will show the examiner that you can think for yourself.

Decide Whether Ideas Work or Not

Evaluating an idea means deciding whether it's any good or not. BUT — the examiners don't want your personal rant — they want to know why you think that. Back all your ideas up with evidence.

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Think Beyond The Text

1) What questions do you have about the idea that are left unanswered by the source?

2) Ask questions — it'll show the examiner that you've really thought about it.

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Compare and Contrast the Texts

1) Be sure to compare the bits of text you're given in the exam (as long as they've actually asked you to do that).

2) Examiners think it's a really good thing if you can pick out differences and similarities in texts.

3) Try to figure out which text you think works best and say why.

Don’t believe everything you read

So — the crucial three questions are: 1) What's the point? 2) Does the point make sense? 3) Is there any evidence? Answer all of those in your essay, and you're well on the way.