Close Reading at NQClose Reading at NQ

Is it really that different to Is it really that different to what I have done before?what I have done before?

What does it involve?What does it involve?• You will undertake close reading throughout You will undertake close reading throughout

the course of the year.the course of the year.• You will be assessed in this area at least You will be assessed in this area at least

twice.twice.• You will have to sit a Close reading NAB You will have to sit a Close reading NAB

which you must pass in order to be allowed which you must pass in order to be allowed to sit the final exam.to sit the final exam.

• Close reading forms 50% of the final Close reading forms 50% of the final assessment.assessment.

• This means that it counts as 50% of your This means that it counts as 50% of your final grade.final grade.

What do I have to do then?What do I have to do then?

• A close reading A close reading generally consists of generally consists of two passages that must two passages that must be read.be read.

• You will then be asked You will then be asked questions on the questions on the separate passages. separate passages.

• At the end of the At the end of the question paper there is question paper there is a question (or two) that a question (or two) that ask you to evaluate the ask you to evaluate the two texts and analyse two texts and analyse the way that they have the way that they have been writtenbeen written

MarkingMarking• NABNAB• This is aThis is a 30 30 mark paper. mark paper. • You must gain at least You must gain at least 1515

marks in order to pass.marks in order to pass.• It is essential that you pass It is essential that you pass

this assessment in order to this assessment in order to continue with the course.continue with the course.

• There will be There will be one one opportunity for opportunity for reassessment.reassessment.

• This is assessed internally.This is assessed internally.

• Final Exam ( and the Final Exam ( and the prelim of course!)prelim of course!)

• This is a This is a 5050 mark paper. mark paper.• Generally you must obtain Generally you must obtain

at least half marks in order at least half marks in order to pass.to pass.

• The prelim is marked The prelim is marked internally and forms internally and forms ( combined with prelim ( combined with prelim essay marks) the estimate essay marks) the estimate that will be sent to the that will be sent to the SQA.SQA.

• Your Close reading exam is Your Close reading exam is marked externally by SQA marked externally by SQA examiners.examiners.

Types of QuestionsTypes of Questions• The passage is divided into questions The passage is divided into questions

that focus on three main areas.that focus on three main areas.• UnderstandingUnderstanding• AnalysisAnalysis• EvaluationEvaluation

UNDERSTANDING ( U)UNDERSTANDING ( U)

• ExplainExplain: Put into your own words: Put into your own words• ContextContext: Give the meaning of the word or phrase: Give the meaning of the word or phrase• Specify items of context that give clues to the Specify items of context that give clues to the

meaningmeaning• Say how these items help you work out the Say how these items help you work out the

meaningmeaning• SummarySummary: Identify the main point (using topic sentences : Identify the main point (using topic sentences

of passage)of passage)• Identify the unifying factor (the topic Identify the unifying factor (the topic

sentence of your summary)sentence of your summary)• Write the points in a paragraph of your own Write the points in a paragraph of your own

sentences sentences

What’s this asking me to do?What’s this asking me to do?

UnderstandingUnderstanding questions ask you to questions ask you to show show your knowledge of what has your knowledge of what has been written. We are basically asking been written. We are basically asking you to demonstrate that you you to demonstrate that you understand what something means. understand what something means. This usually involves you putting it in This usually involves you putting it in your own words.your own words.

AnalysisAnalysis• Analysis questions ask you to Analysis questions ask you to name name

aa techniquetechnique and then go on to and then go on to explain how it functions. explain how it functions.

ANALYSIS ( A) ANALYSIS ( A) • ANALYSISANALYSIS::• Structure of passage/linkStructure of passage/link::• Say what has gone beforeSay what has gone before• Say what comes afterSay what comes after• Specify the technique that links themSpecify the technique that links them• Comment on/show how an idea is highlightedComment on/show how an idea is highlighted::• Specify the feature (word choice, technique, sentence structure)Specify the feature (word choice, technique, sentence structure)• Identify how it relates to meaningIdentify how it relates to meaning• Say how it helps bring out the ideaSay how it helps bring out the idea• Show how a feature is developedShow how a feature is developed::• Specify other/related examples of feature (wordchoice, technique, Specify other/related examples of feature (wordchoice, technique,

s/s)s/s)• Say how these help strengthen/change the effectSay how these help strengthen/change the effect• Comment on the tone ofComment on the tone of::• Identify the tone (the way it might be said)Identify the tone (the way it might be said)• Specify how the tone is gained (wordchoice, technique, s/s)Specify how the tone is gained (wordchoice, technique, s/s)• Say how the tone affects what is being saidSay how the tone affects what is being said

EVALUATIONEVALUATION• Evaluation questions ask you to Evaluation questions ask you to

explain why you feel something that explain why you feel something that the author has expressed is effective.the author has expressed is effective.

• A little tip: If the question paper asks A little tip: If the question paper asks you to explain why some thing is you to explain why some thing is effective that’s because it IS WELL effective that’s because it IS WELL WRITTEN! Generally answers that WRITTEN! Generally answers that argue differently gain very few marks.argue differently gain very few marks.

EVALUATION (E)EVALUATION (E)• EVALUATIONEVALUATION::• 8.Specific Evaluation8.Specific Evaluation: how well a particular aspect of CONTENT, : how well a particular aspect of CONTENT,

STRUCTURE, SYLE fits in with the purpose, structure or style of the STRUCTURE, SYLE fits in with the purpose, structure or style of the rest of the passage.rest of the passage.

• 9. 9. General EvaluationGeneral Evaluation: how well does the passage achieve its : how well does the passage achieve its purpose: focus on those aspects of CONTENT, STRUCTURE, STYLE purpose: focus on those aspects of CONTENT, STRUCTURE, STYLE which you feel enhance or detract from the purpose.which you feel enhance or detract from the purpose.

• Comparison of two passagesComparison of two passages (Exam only): focus on similar and (Exam only): focus on similar and contrasting aspects of CONTENT, STRUCTURE, STYLE and how contrasting aspects of CONTENT, STRUCTURE, STYLE and how well they are successful in achieving the purposes of each passage.well they are successful in achieving the purposes of each passage.

• In all evaluations: Make points firstIn all evaluations: Make points first• Back up points with specific references to content, Back up points with specific references to content,

structure,style.structure,style.• Comment on how well the specifics are used in relation to Comment on how well the specifics are used in relation to

thethe focus of the question.focus of the question.