Thursday 31 January 2013

Interview Question and Answers.

Interview Questions.

-This question can appear as a Question B or in Section 2.
-On average write 2 pages (4 questions and 4 answers) for Question B and 4 pages (8 questions and 8 answers) for Section 2.
-Read the question carefully, does it specify who you are to interview? Or who you are as an interviewer? Or where the interview is to appear? (i.e. a popular magazine, newspaper, etc.)
-Brainstorm your questions and then brainstorm each of your answers based on your questions.
-Plan each question and each answer before you begin answering the question.
-Always keep the marking scheme in mind; Purpose, Coherence, Language and Mechanics.
-Write a brief introduction to your interview, i.e. introducing your interviewee, how she/he looks, where the interview is set, the interviewees demeanor i.e. is he/she happy, sad and friendly, etc. Include a little bit as to why the interview is taking place.
-Keep your questions short, concise and to the point. Include a ? at the end of each question.
-Show empathy with the interviewee, i.e. “jump into their shoes”, when answering the questions. Imagine the answers from their point of view.
-Make sure your questions are in order, start off with the more biographical questions first, i.e. “What was it like growing up in America in the 1970s?” and then move on to more specific questions.
-Keep your questions relevant to the exam question.
-Give detailed answers related to the question topic.
-Always read over your work to correct any mistakes you may have made.

Monday 21 January 2013

The Lake Isle of Innisfree. W.B. Yeats

The Lake Isle of Innisfree.


I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made:
Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee;
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.
 
And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;
There midnight's all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
And evening full of the linnet's wings.
 
I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,
I hear it in the deep heart's core.
W.B. Yeats.





Monday 14 January 2013

Junior Cert. Higher Level Exam Guidelines.

Junior Certificate Higher Level. 2013.
Read all the instructions on the paper before attempting the questions.

Paper 1: (2 and a half) hours.
You must attempt all four sections on this paper.
Spend at least half an hour on each section (1, 3, and 4) and an hour on Section 2.

Section 1: Reading. (40 marks)
-Read the passage, then read the questions, then re-read the passage.
-Underline exactly what you are being asked in each question.
-Rephrase each question and give at least 3 supporting points for each answer.
- Identify how many marks are awarded for each question and structure your answer accordingly.
-Support each point you make with a line from the passage.
-Divide each answer up into paragraphs.
-Your response to this section should be on average 2 pages of your answer book.

Section 2: Personal Writing: (70 Marks)
Remember the marking scheme:
Marking Breakdown (CSEM)
Content 20
Structure 15
Expression 30
Mechanics 5
Total 70
-Read through all the topics and pick the one you can write the most about.
-Underline exactly what you are being asked to do.
- Brainstorm and plan your chosen topic.
-You should have a minimum of 8 paragraphs.
-Your essay should be at least 2 and a half pages of your answer book.
-Remember to write an introduction and conclusion to your composition.

Section 3: Functional Writing. (30 Marks)
Remember the marking scheme:
Content 8
Structure 7
Expression 12
Mechanics 3
Total 30
-Answer question either 1 or 2.
-Plan your answer before beginning.
-Underline exactly what you are being asked in the question.
-Make sure you write in the correct format e.g. debate, letter, speech, etc.
-Your answer should be at least 2 pages in length.

Section 4: Media Studies. (40 Marks).
- Examine carefully any pages associated with this section.
-Underline exactly what you are being asked in each question.
- Read the questions carefully and give long, detailed responses.
- Make sure you check how many marks are awarded for each question and vary your answer length accordingly.
-Make sure you refer to any pictures, posters, advertisements, etc., associated with the question.


Paper 2.
-This paper is 2 and half hours in length.
-You must attempt all 3 sections on this exam paper.
- Each section is worth 60 marks.
-Spend about 45 minutes on each section.
 Read all the instructions on the paper before attempting the questions.


Section 1 Drama.
Question 1:
N.B. You may answer on the Shakespearean Drama extract (A) or “Other Drama” (B). Read both and make an informed decision as to which one you understand best.
-Read the extract of the play (which you will not have seen before), then read the questions, then read the extract again.
-Underline exactly what you are being asked in each question.
- You MAY only have to answer 2 of the three questions.
-Re-phrase the question in your answer.
- Give at least 3 supporting points for each answer. Use a quotation from the text to back up each point you make.
-Divide your answer into paragraphs.
-Your answers for this section will be about 2 pages in length.

Question 2
-You will have a choice of two questions here.
-This section is based on your study of the play “Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare.
-Brainstorm and plan your answer.
-Make sure you quote from the play in your answers.
-Your answers for this section will be at least two pages of your answer book.
-Read the questions carefully and answer the questions asked.
-Underline exactly what you are being asked in each question.
-You should write out a brief plan before beginning your answers.
-Give a brief introduction to the play.
-Pay careful attention to the marks awarded for each question and vary the length of your responses accordingly.

Section 2: Poetry.

Question One.
-This question is based on a poem you have never seen before.
-Read the poem, then read the questions, then re-read the poem.
-Underline exactly what you are being asked in each question.
-Use lines from the poem to support your answers.
-Use poetic terminology in your answers, e.g. images, metaphors, similes, etc.
-Pay attention to how much each answer is worth.

Question Two.
-You will have a choice of two questions in this section. Choose the question you can write the most about.
-This section is based on the poems you have studied.
-Underline exactly what you are being asked in each question.
-Brainstorm and plan your answer.
-You must be able to quote from the poem you choose to write about in your answers.
-Pay attention to the marks awarded for each question.
-Your responses should cover 2 pages of your answer booklet.


Section 3: Fiction.

Question 1.

-Read the extract (which you will never have seen before), then read the questions, then re-read the extract.
-Use lines from the extract to back up your answers.
-You MAY only have to answer 2 of the three questions. Read the instructions carefully.
-Underline exactly what you are being asked in each question.
-Give at least 3 supporting points for each question and divide your answer up into paragraphs.

Question 2.
-This section is based on your study of the novel; “The Boy in the Stripped Pyjamas” or “The Curious Incident...”
-You have the choice here of two questions. Read them carefully and answer the question which best suits the novel you have studied.
-Underline exactly what you are being asked in each question.
-Brainstorm and plan your answer.
-Pay careful attention to the marks awarded for each question.
-Make sure you refer to the book to back up your answers. You should be able to quote directly from the book.
-Your answer should be two pages long.
-Make sure you plan your question and give an introduction to the novel before beginning.

Pre-Exam Check List.
1. Have I practised Answering Comprehensions?£
2. Do I know how to write…?
-Formal and informal letters? £
-Reviews? £
-Short-stories? £
-Dialogue? £
-Debates? £
-Speeches? £
-Letters (formal/informal)? £
-Descriptive essay? £
-Discursive essay? £
-Diary Entries? £
-Interview? £
-Advertisement? £
-Newspaper/magazine article? £
3. Do I know all of my media Studies vocabulary? £
4. Have I practised answering questions on unseen drama? £
5. Do I know “Romeo and Juliet” well? £
6. Do I know that characters well? £
7. Do I know a scene well form the play? £
8. Do I know 10 Quotes from thee play? £
9. Do I know all the characters in the play? £
10. Do I know the beginning of the play? £
11. Do I know “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time well?” and “The Boy in the Stripped Pyjamas” well? £
11. Do I know all the characters in the novel? £
12. Do I know the beginning and ending of the novel? £
13. Do I know 10 quotes from the novel? £
14. Have I practised answering questions on the unseen poetry question? £
15. Do I know all my poetry vocabulary? £
16. Do I know all my poems well and know at least 5 quotes form each and their authors? £
-“He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven”?  £ (W.B.Yeats)
-“The stolen Child” £
-“The Lake Isle if Innishfree” £
-“Back in the Playground Blues”? (Adrian Mitchell) £
-“Mid-Term Break”? (Seamus Heaney). £
-“Claims” David Kitchen £
-“A Crabbit Old Woman Wrote This”? (Anonymous) £
- “Advice to a Teenage Daughter” Isoble Thrilling £
- “New Season Ode” Thomas Keneally £
-“Truant” Phoebe Hesketh £
-“Base Details” Siegfried Sassoon £
-Am I familiar with the layout of the exam paper? £

Remember: Write as much as you can. Don’t leave the exam early. Show the examiner how much you know.
GOOD LUCK!!

Monday 7 January 2013

Magazine/Newspaper Article Writing.



Magazine and Newspaper Article Writing: Top Tips.

Always underline exactly what you are being asked in every question.

-         Read the question carefully, who is your target audience and where is your article to “Appear?”
-         If it is a Question B write 2 pages, if it a Section 2 essay, write 4.
-         Decide on the genre of language you are mainly writing in, e.g. informative, argument, narration, and persuasion. Always use the aesthetic use of language to make your article interesting.
-         Brainstorm and plan before beginning.
-         Outline the main point of your article in your introduction.
-         Always give your article a headline, and then a sub-heading which is a brief description of your article. Sign your name under your sub-heading, e.g. Pat Byrne, Current Affairs Correspondent.
-         You may give your paragraphs sub-headings also, i.e. what they are about.
-         Decide on the tone of your article, humour, serious, light-hearted? Maintain this register throughout your article.
-         Are you arguing a point of view? Can you look at all sides of the topic? Always outline your position in your introduction. Also, try and open with a memorable fact, statistic, or quote.
-         One point per paragraph.
-         Use anecdotes, statistics, facts (you can make these up) and questions. Engage your audience and get them thinking.
-         If you are writing a persuasive article use hyperbole, imperatives and superlatives to enhance your argument.
-         Make sure you refer back to the question to make sure you have not moved off the point. Refer to the main premise of the article in each paragraph.
-         Remember the marking scheme, purpose, coherence, language and mechanics.
-         Plan a strong conclusion, with your best point for last.
-         Read over your article at the end to correct any mistakes.