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Language Paper 1 Question 3 Model

The document provides guidance on how to analyze the structure of a text for Language Paper 1, Question 3, emphasizing the importance of word and idea order. It outlines key features to consider, such as paragraph order, shifts in focus, and the use of techniques like repetition and perspective shifts. Additionally, it offers an example of how to structure an answer, highlighting the impact of chronological order and pacing on reader engagement.

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6 views

Language Paper 1 Question 3 Model

The document provides guidance on how to analyze the structure of a text for Language Paper 1, Question 3, emphasizing the importance of word and idea order. It outlines key features to consider, such as paragraph order, shifts in focus, and the use of techniques like repetition and perspective shifts. Additionally, it offers an example of how to structure an answer, highlighting the impact of chronological order and pacing on reader engagement.

Uploaded by

pythonzmc
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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HOW TO ANSWER: Language Paper 1, Question 3 – Structure

Structure is the order of words and ideas within the extract – this can be within a few sentences,
paragraphs or across the whole text.

This question always focuses on the whole source. When you’re reading, you need to be looking out
for some key features. Some may be clear as you see them, some may become clear as you read
more.

Some questions to be asking as you read, and points to focus on for analysis:

- Why are the paragraphs ordered in the way they are?


- How does the focus of each paragraph change?
- Is it important for the reader to know certain bits of information before they get to the next
part of the text?
- Are there any links between the beginning and the end of the text?
- Are there any repeated images, symbols or ideas?
- Is there a significant change in an attitude, character or setting?
- Is there a change of perspective?

Techniques

Repetition – of words, phrases or whole sentences.

Connectives – e.g. meanwhile, finally, although. These could be used to shift the reader’s focus.

Sentence types – e.g. multi-clause or single clause. For example, a multi-clause sentence could be
used to build up layers of description to create a vivid setting.

Sentence length – e.g. short to show tension.

Paragraph length – e.g. single line paragraphs to focus the reader.

Change of tense – e.g. from present to past.

- Flashbacks and Flashforwards – Visions or memories – how do they unlock detail that then
becomes significant to the rest of the story.

Perspective Shift – Change of focus from one object to another. Can be developed into a sensory
shift – changing the sense (looking at something, smelling something, hearing something) to help
build an atmosphere or draw attention to something. Can also be seen as Zooming in/Zooming out
– looking at something small in great detail to something much larger.

The Question

For the question, you should answer like any other – except, rather than talking about language you
should analyse the structure. As a note for evidence what you should quote changes depending on
the technique – don’t quote too much, just give a general idea. If you want to show a few sentences
out of a whole passage for instance, you would quote like this:

It was snowing again. Gentle six-pointed flakes from a picture book were settling on her jacket
sleeve. The mountain air prickled with ice and the smell of pine resin. Several hundred metres below
lay the dark outline of Saint-Bernard-en-Haut, their Pyrenean resort village; across to the west, the
irregular peaks of the mountain range.
As demonstrated from “Gentle six-pointed flakes…” to “…the irregular peaks of the mountain
range”. Use the ellipsis to show that the quote continues.

Point: State your initial point. In the extract, the writer uses [insert structural feature] to show [effect
you have identified],

Evidence: as demonstrated in [give evidence].

Analysis: [Insert analysis].

Example

In the extract, Joyce uses shifts in perspective, specifically shifts in sensory focus to develop his
imagery and to construct an atmosphere for the reader. This is demonstrated from “Gentle six-
pointed flakes…” to “…the irregular peaks of the mountain range”. The shifts in focus through
zooming out from the “snowflakes… on her jacket sleeve” to the resort village “several hundred
meters below” seeks to engage the reader by developing his description of the environment Joyce’s
character resides in. Furthermore, the use of sensory shifts, from the sight of the snowflakes, to the
“smell of pine resin” further builds an image for Joyce’s reader to appreciate, gauging a better sense
of the mountain.

Journey structure, moving through time and space, mostly chronological

Flashback in time and place

Pivotal point in the extract – framed by locaiton

Perspective of main character is sustained throughout

Shifts in pace

Focus shifts

Cliff-hangers

Introduction of the character is delayed

Pace speeds up during the journey, then slows as they arrive

Action rises towards the moment Ugwu and Master meet – an anti-climax?

Focus shifts from outside to inside

Cliff-hanger on final sentence.


Chronological order – events that happen sequentially. It brings you as a reader on the journey with
the character/narrator.

How has the writer structured the text to interest you as a reader?

To interest the reader, the writer structures the text by unravelling the events that occurred in the
sequence that it happened to Zoe. The writer structures the text in chronological order to show how
she felt in that moment of time. We begin seeing how she admires the scenery and the “gentle six-
pointed flakes”. We then follow her journey to the point of her skiing down the slope to the turning
point where the “slab of snow slips from underneath her”. This creates an emotional connection to
the reader, as the reader is inserted into the narrative and is put into the same circumstances as Zoe.
The writer consciously crafts the narrative in this way to make it unknown as to what may happen
next as details are revealed as they happen, interesting the reader.

At the end of the extract Joyce purposefully creates a large paragraph to reflect the avalanche that is
unfolding.

- The fact the paragraph itself large – which reflects the actual avalanche
- The language falling down onto you, reflecting the avalanche going onto Jake and Zoe
- Controlling the pace of the language through sentence length, again reflecting the
avalanche.
- Cliff-hanger for excitement.

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