Close Reading Homework Booklet

S5 English Higher Close Reading Homework Booklet

NAME: This booklet contains 7 articles drawn from sources of quality journalism.

You will be required to complete one passage every two weeks. It is imperative you complete it on time and remember to bring it as you will be peer marking your answers in class.

The activities associated with each passage are designed to:

 Expand your vocabulary  Familiarise you with the styles and structures of quality journalism  Improve your ability to summarise and paraphrase (put into your own words) a writer’s argument  Familiarise you with close reading formulae

It would be useful to have access to a quality dictionary at home to complete the vocabulary builder tasks, however you could also use www.dictionary.com Close Reading Formulae

UNDERSTANDING QUESTIONS Own Words (U)

This type of question is designed to  Find the correct lines. check you understand the  Check number of marks. meaning, language and ideas of the  Re-write in your own words. passage. Understanding questions are  Check you haven’t copied key marked with a (U) code. words from the passage.

“Quote” (word/phrase/expression) (U) Context (U)

 Find the correct lines.  Quote the word  Check whether the question  Write down meaning asks for a word or phrase.  Find 2 words or phrases from  Write down exactly as it is in the surrounding sentence(s) passage. that clarify the meaning. Explain how they show this

Link (U) Summarise (U)

 Summarise what the previous  Identify the key points / section is about. issues from the relevant  Quote words from the link section. sentence which refer back to  Change these points into your this. own words.  Summarise what is being said  Bullet point if appropriate. in the section following the link sentence.  Quote a word or phrase from the link sentence which introduces the next section. ANALYSIS QUESTIONS Word Choice (A)  Quote the word and give its This type of question is designed to basic meaning check you can identify specific  Give the word’s connotations literary techniques being used. (associated ideas) You must also analyse them (break  Explain how the word’s them down) and evaluate how they add to the reader’s connotations develop the understanding of the passage’s reader’s understanding of the meaning. passage

Imagery(A) (Simile, Metaphor, Personification) Contrast (A) (2 opposing ideas, words, images...)

 Identify the type of image  Pick out one side of the  Quote it contrast and summarise it.  Say what is compared to what Support with a quote.  Use “just as... so too…”  Pick out the other side of the  Say what the comparison adds to the reader’s understanding of the contrast and summarise it. passage. Support with a quote.

Sentence Structure: Sentence Structure (A) You may be asked to comment on:  Identify the feature of  Punctuation  Sentence length structure being used.  Sentence types  Comment on the effect of the  Sentence patterns structure on the reader’s understanding of the passage.

Tone (A) Tone Bank  Identify the tone. Informal; Humorous; Light Hearted; Whimsical; Gently Mocking  Quote words or phrases that create this tone Sarcastic; Mocking; Ironic  Analyse how those Formal; Questioning; Outraged; Angry; Critical; words/phrases create the Nostalgic; Reverential; Reflective; Awed

tone. Disappointed; Uncertain; Doubtful EVALUATION QUESTIONS Evaluation (E)

This type of question asks you to The best way to tackle evaluation consider the whole passage or both questions is to PQE: passages and decide how well the writer has achieved their purpose.  Make a point (“is/isn’t You can use material or techniques effective”) used in previous questions.  Quote a feature of the passage. Read the question carefully.  Evaluate how the feature does Sometimes you are asked to or doesn’t make the passage comment on the writer’s ideas. Sometimes you are asked to effective. comment on the writer’s style Sometimes you are asked to Do this as many times as necessary comment on both ideas and style. to get all the marks available. Order of the Articles

 The articles are arranged in ascending order of difficulty.

 After marking each passage in class check where you lost marks. Seek out support, extra practice or advice on those question types you have most trouble with.

Article Order

The Biggest Loser (Exemplar) 1) A dog is for life, not just Crufts 2) Nightclubs Are Hell

3) If Chickens Are So Smart…

4) Well Grrroomed 5) McDonalds – I’m Not Lovin’ It! 6) No Passes?

7) Being There - Edinburgh

How to tackle the articles:

1. Read the passage through. Focus on understanding the main topic of the passage and the key points made.

2. Using a dictionary if necessary, complete the Vocabulary Challenge. You should also look up the meanings of any other words you don’t know. This will help you answer the close reading questions which follow (and improve your overall vocabulary!)

3. Identify each question’s type – is it an own words question, a context question, a link question, an imagery question…?

4. Use the appropriate formula to answer each question. Refer back to the passage using line references where given.