English Language Revision

Why is the use of first person narrative effective in fiction?

• It is easier for the author to write in this style.

• It adds immediacy and makes the writing more vivid.

• It is easier to understand.

• It allows the reader to believe they are the central character.

Answer explanation

First person narrator uses "I", "we" or "me". This allows the author to connect directly with the reader making the text easily relatable and evocative.

When writing it's important to include what to create maximum imagery?

• Lots of adjectives and verbs.

• As many central characters as possible.

• A moral message.

• The five senses.

Answer explanation

By including as many of the 5 senses as you can, (touch, taste, sight, smell and sound), this makes your writing vivid and thus easier for the reader to imagine.

It is important to identify what in any piece of text...

• The intended purpose of the writing.

• The funny parts.

• Your favourite character.

• The moral of the story.

Answer explanation

The author will have chosen to write to entertain, teach, argue or persuade. You should comment on the purpose to score maximum marks.

When writing an essay it is important to what?

• Use complicated words to express simple things.

• Make the writing formal.

• Present a balanced argument and conclude with your viewpoint?

• Write a lot of text so the examiner knows you understand.

When producing a leaflet designed to make the reader donate money or time, the style of writing should be....

• Professional.

• Emotional and compelling.

• Factual and to the point.

• Upsetting and make you want to stop reading.

Answer explanation

The tne of the leaflet should be emotional and should make the reader want to do something to help.

Descriptive text includes what?

• Imagery, metaphors, similes & personification.

• Lengthy character descriptions.

• Extensive dialogue between the central characters.

• As many facts as possible.

Answer explanation

Literary devices such as metaphors, similes, personification and imagery all give depth to writing making it more descriptive.

Which of the three narrative viewpoints below are most common?

• Authors perspective

• From the perspective of a central character

• Omnipresent narrator

• From an object in the room.

Answer explanation

The author / characters perspective are most commonly used followed by an omnipresent narrator who oversees everything.

It is less common to be from the perspective of an object such as a chair or a cup.

Why is it most important to recognise bias in newspaper articles, reviews and autobiographies?

• So that you can understand the whole picture.

• So you aren't swayed by emotion.

• To prevent confusion.

• So that you don't mistake opinion for fact.

Answer explanation

Bias isn't always obvious or even deliberate. You need to be able to recognise bias so you don't mistake opinion for fact.

When writing for a particular theme or image, in Part B of the exam it is important to...

• Stick to the writing brief you have been given.

• Write clearly.

• Plan your answer.

• Look at the question for ages.

Answer explanation

You must stick to what you have been asked to produce. You must write clearly so the examiner can read it, and plan your answer so the examiner can see your thought process if you run out of time.

What is the difference between explicit and implicit?

• ExplicIT and ImplicIT both end in IT. They refer to styles of technology fiction.

• Explicit expels something. Implicit refers to imps and elves.

• Explicit is writing the meaning or intension clearly. Implicit is when you have to hunt out the meaning.

Answer explanation

Explicit is where the meaning is clearly written.

eg. It rained last weekend.

Implicit is where the meaning is implied or hinted at.

eg. The sky was filled with an ominous darkness all weekend.