2.3 Analyse Unfamiliar Text – 91100
4 Credits
This standard requires you to analyse significant aspects of unfamiliar texts though close reading, supporting your
ideas with evidence. You will read the texts provided and answer questions about them.
The texts are written texts including:
 Non-fiction writing such as column or opinion writing
 Fictional Prose such as extracts from a novel or short story
 Poetry
You will write responses to show your understanding. All questions require longer responses and provide
opportunity for you to gain Achieved, Merit and/or Excellence.
The questions generally relate to the texts ideas/themes, context, impact on the reader and the language
techniques used to create effects. It is expected you will support your answers with specific supporting detail from
the text for every question.
The recommended time allocated for this standard is 60 minutes.
It is important that you revise language and terminology for this standard. When discussing the effect of these
techniques you must be specific – avoid general effects such as ‘to draw the reader in’ or ‘to make them think’. Link
the effect to the important ideas or messages of the text.
Approaching the questions:
 Make sure you read the passage carefully at least once before you begin answering to ensure you have an
understanding of the overall ideas
 Read through the questions – the sample paper indicates a single question for each text. However, there
may be overlap in the material you can use to answer a questions and you will not get credit for using the
same material in two responses
 Follow a clear T.E.E.C. structure within your response. Aim to explore at least three ideas linked to the
question in this way
 Refer back to the text to help you and use important details to support your response
 Attempt all questions
You will be assessed on the following schedule:
Achievement Criteria
Achievement
 Analyse significant aspects
of unfamiliar written
text(s) through close
reading, supported by
evidence.
‘Analyse’ means you have
interpreted how particular
techniques have been used to
create effects within the text,
such as imagery, symbolism or
structure.
Achievement with Merit
 Analyse significant aspects of
unfamiliar written text(s)
convincingly through close
reading, supported by
evidence.
‘Convincingly’ means you have
analysed the text in depth, using
relevant ideas and frequent
details. You explain your ideas in
a reasoned, clear way.
Achievement with Excellence
 Analyse significant aspects of
unfamiliar written text(s)
perceptively through close
reading, supported by evidence.
‘Perceptively’ means you offer
original or insightful
interpretations and show a
thoughtful understanding of the
author’s purpose.
Explanatory Notes –
1
This standard is derived from the Level 7 Making Meaning strand [reading] and the Creating
Meaning strand [writing] and related achievement objectives in the English Learning Area of The
New Zealand Curriculum, Learning Media, Ministry of Education, 2007; and is related to the material
in the Teaching and Learning Guide for English, Ministry of Education, 2011 at
http://seniorsecondary.tki.org.nz.
2
Analyse significant aspects of unfamiliar written text(s) involves making developed interpretations of how
significant aspects of texts create meaning.
Analyse significant aspects of unfamiliar written text(s) convincingly involves making reasoned and clear
interpretations of how significant aspects of texts create meaning.
Analyse significant aspects of unfamiliar written text(s) perceptively involves making insightful and/or
original interpretations of how significant aspects of texts create meaning.
3
Supported by evidence refers to the use of specific and relevant details to support analysis.
4
Close reading involves a detailed exploration and consideration of significant aspects of texts.
5
Significant aspects of texts are selected from:
 particular audiences and purposes
 ideas such as themes, attitudes, beliefs, experiences, feelings, insights, meanings, opinions,
thoughts, and understandings within the text
 language features such as figurative language, syntax, style, symbolism, vocabulary, sound
devices
 structures such as narrative sequence, beginnings and endings