On Paper 1, you will have to look very closely at a text and write what you think about it.

This plan will help you to understand different kinds of texts and give you the knowledge to write about them confidently in your exam.

To be successful you will need to ask each of the following questions about the text you will have in front of you.

1. What kind of a text it?

It is very important that the first thing you do is identify what the text actually is. There are lots of possibilities such as -

• a leaflet
• an advertisement
• a newspaper article an advice sheet
• an instruction manual a poster
• a brochure
• an instruction manual
• a letter

2. What is the audience?

This means - who is it written for? Is it a named person?

If it is a letter, then the name of the person it is being sent to will be very clear - and you have your audience.

Is it a more general audience? Is it a text for anyone to read (a leaflet) or is it aimed at a certain group of people - children, men only, old people?

3. What is the purpose of the text?

This means - what is the point of the text?

Again, there are lots of possibilities, such as -

• to inform
• to persuade
• to advise
• o instruct

Your teacher will help you to work out the purpose of a number of different kinds of texts.

When you have decided what the text is - the next thing to decide is how it works

4. What does the text actually look like?

• Is the print different sizes - and if so, why?
• Is some of the print in bold - and if so, why?
• Is colour used to draw your attention to some of the wording?
• Are pictures used - and if so, what for?
• How is the text actually written - prose, bullet points, poetic layout?

5. What kind of text is it?

Is the writing very serious and formal?

If it is, do you think that this has anything to do with what the text is actually about?

Is the language amusing and informal?

Does this have anything to do with what the text is about?

Are the sentences long and complex, or short and snappy?

Is there lots of description to help you build up a picture in your mind?

Is there a list of facts and figures?

Try to work out with your teacher how the language gives you clues about the text.

Think about the differences in language that would be used in a serious text, andthen in a light-hearted text.

6. What is the vocabulary of the text?

It is important to look closely at the kind of words used and try to work outwhy the writer of the text chose them.

Words are always used to create some kind of an effect. It is your job to workout what effect is created. Again, there are lots of possibilities, such as -

• an emotional effect
• a direct and simple effect
• a sympathetic effect
• a shocked effect

What is the tone of the text?

When looking at the vocabulary, you should also be trying to identify the tone ofthe text.

The tone is the way ideas are expressed. It is the author's attitude to the subject of the text.

• serious
• shocking
• funny
• amusing
• romantic

When you have considered all of the points mentioned, you should now feel comfortable enough to write about your impression of the text.

Do you think it is a successful text? Does it do what it intended?

Relax and pass those tests!

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