Unit 1 – Understanding NonFiction and Media Texts
AO3(i) Read and understand
texts, selecting material
appropriate to purpose
Studying written language
Assessment Objectives
i.
ii.
iii.
Read and understand texts, selecting
material appropriate to purpose, collating
from different sources and making
comparisons and cross references as
appropriate.
Develop and sustain interpretations of
writers’ ideas and perspectives.
Explain and evaluate how writers use
linguistic, grammatical, structural and
presentational features to achieve effects
and engage and influence the reader.
Assessment Objective
AO3(i) – Read and understand texts, selecting
material appropriate to purpose
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Identify the writer’s overall view
Identify the different points made by the
writer that support this
Explain these points and what the writer is
saying
Example of Questions
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What does Fay Weldon recommend as
the best way to sell chocolate bars?
What are the main points of Tony
Allan’s argument about the world’s
water shortages?
Explain the key points made in this
item.
Framework for Reading
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Read the questions
Read the text
Work out the PAFT and main view
Identify the main points made by the
writer – number these in order of
importance
Plan your response
Advice
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Decide what the writer is trying to say
to you – their overall message
Identify the different points that are
made. Look at the use of topic
sentences / paragraphs
Explain what is meant by the writer and
what they are trying to say
Model question
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Explain the main points made by the
writer in this article
(6 marks)
6 marks = 12 minutes
Identify the main view
Identify the points that support this
Explain these ideas in your own words
PURPOSE: what job is the writer trying to do?
Argue
Persuade
Advise
Inform
Explain
Describe
Analyse
Review
Comment
Imagine
Explore
Entertain
AUDIENCE: the reader
Children
Teenagers
Parents
Pensioners
Workers
Experts
Fans
Men
Women
Adults
PAFT
Age
Interests Lifestyle
Gender Education Class
Job
Hobbies Politics
Purpose
Audience
Form
Tone
FORM: type of writing
Leaflet
Web page
Letter
Speech
Report
Article
Story
Email
Essay
Advert
TONE: what is the mood of the writing? How are we addressed?
Enthusiastic
Passionate
Hopeful
Optimistic
Humorous
Angry
Frustrated
Pessimistic
Sad
Annoyed
Questioning
Doubtful
Suspicious
Sarcastic
Ironic
Objective
Subjective
Neutral
Cynical
Knowledgeable
Planning
Main view:
Point
(Select an idea)
Evidence
Explain
(Your interpretation)
Structuring your answer
1.
2.
3.
4.
The main view of the writer is…
Firstly…
Secondly…
Finally…
Remember to use the PEEL Chain to
structure your points!
Assessment criteria – AO2iii
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Band 1
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(B/C)
Clear evidence of understanding and engagement
Relevant and appropriate quotations
Band 4
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(D/E)
Some evidence of understanding and engagement
Some relevant quotations
Band 3
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Limited evidence of understanding or engagement
Band 2
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(F/G)
(A/A*)
Full and detailed understanding
Sophisticated interpretation
Relevant and appropriate quotations support understanding
Exemplar answer – full marks!
What reasons are put forward for visiting
Antarctica with Trailfinders?
(6 marks)
Read the advert for Trailfinders. Read the
following answer and work out why it
was awarded full marks
Clear focus on task and
purpose of text
Connectives show
structure
Exemplar answer – 1
As the article aims to influence others to visit
the Antarctic with Trailfinders, many reasons
are put forward. Firstly the subheading ‘Over
Integrated 30 years’ of experience of booking adventure
reference
travel worldwide’ suggests that this company
is the most qualified for organising the trip. It
suggests that from experience the company
Use of
analytical will know the best areas and most successful
markers
ways of carrying out the trip.
Detailed analysis of the point made =
full understanding / conceptualised
Structured answer =
material is shaped
Interprets message =
material is absorbed
Exemplar answer – 2
Secondly, the article gives the impression that
Trailfinders is a versatile company. It suits
‘every budget, every timescale and every
Integrated country…’ giving the impression that whatever
references
the specification for the desired country this
company can match it. Also when planning
they will happily assist you in ‘deciding on the
trip that suits you’, therefore implying that
they will offer any advice needed in the
planning of the trip.
Additional explanations =
full understanding
Three clear points made and explored
= material fully shaped and absorbed
Exemplar answer – 3
Finally, Item 1 gives the impression that
booking with Travelfinders will make planning
the holiday relaxed and camping at the
activity enjoyable. For example, the article
promises the company will ‘book you on the
best value flights’, ‘arrange…travel insurance’
and ‘make any additional hotel arrangements.’
Summative
In short, this company will do the majority of
comments
the planning whilst finding the best value for
round off
answer and money. Overall, the main reason for visiting
show a
the ‘breathtakingly beautiful place’ with
conceptual
Travelfinders is that it will be carefree, but up
response
to a professional and affordable standard.
Key points
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Full understanding of the points made
Ideas are fully absorbed and then shaped into
an answer i.e. coherent analysis of selected
points
References are integrated into the argument
i.e. quotations are worked into sentences
Detailed and conceptualised i.e. gives the
three best points, evaluating what is said, and
offering your own ideas about the topic
Try and Apply
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Use your plan to write your own
explanation of the points made by the
writer
Aim to meet the highest grade criteria
Assess your answer against the criteria