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

Revision Summary
Section Nine — Media and Non-Fiction Questions

Media texts can be a bit tricky to get your head around, but that's only because of one key element — you have to appreciate that they can rarely be trusted. Once you've realised that, and you approach every media text you read with a healthy dose of cynicism, you really will be well on the way to being able to answer these questions successfully. When you know that they're mostly just trying to influence you or sell you stuff, it gets easier to recognise the little tricks they have up their sleeves. You know the drill, anyway. If you can get through these questions okay, you'll be ready for the exam.

1) Name 4 things the examiners will definitely give you marks for.

2) Why should you read the question before the text?

3) Is there any point in thinking about how many marks a question is worth? Why?

4) Explain why it's important to read through the question slowly and make a few notes before you start thinking about where to start your essay.

5) Write one sentence on 'jam' as an example of each of the following tones —

a) a passionate, personal tone

b) an impersonal, academic tone

c) an amused tone

6) What kind of initial impression do you want the introduction to your answer to make on the examiner?

7) Why do you think that simply copying from the text doesn't get you any marks?

8) "The Theory of Evolution is nonsense." — What is wrong with the way this is argued?

9) Why do you need to look for hard evidence that backs up the writer's opinions in media texts?

10) Explain why you think examiners give out good marks when students show they can criticise a media text, and can say whether the ideas in it make sense or not.

11) What's the point of trying to think of questions that are left unanswered by the text?

12) Why is it important to think about what kind of media text it is (e.g. article, review, flier etc...)?

13) Is the layout important to consider in a media text? Why?

14) Briefly describe an example of each of the following (a diagram might help) —

a) good use of graphics on a newsletter aimed at teenagers.

b) bad use of graphics on a newsletter aimed at teenagers.

15) Write a brief description of each of the following terms —

a) caption

b) column

c) lead

d) headline

e) feature

f) editorial

g) human interest story