ENGLISH HL 25 February 2023

GRADE 12 LANGUAGE NOTES: Paper 1 - Comprehension

Comprehension
• Read passage carefully.
• Read questions.
• Read Text B before reading Text A for the second time.
• Read Text A.
• Answer Questions

Q Key word in Generic answers Mark allocation

question
1.1 + Explain Give meaning/Rewrite in your own words to show the One fact = 2
1.2 /State in your meaning. marks.
own words/ Short answer. If there are more
explain the DO NOT LIFT. than one
significance. Do not spend too much time. obvious fact –
Account for write two.

Significance Importance. Why does the writer use this word in this One fact = 2
context or make this claim at this specific point? marks/ 1 Fact
per mark
Account for the Make sure that you read the whole par. Sometimes the
writer’s writer expresses different feelings. Note the
feelings in a conflicting view.
par /the Name feeling and explain why the writer feels this.
following…
1.3 + Convey What does the writer express? What is she trying to
1.4/ say?
1.5 Discuss the Watch out for a specific word and don’t lift it.
point the writer
is making….
Effect of… Writer brings topic/main idea into focus. 1 Generic
Single line par It highlights/emphasises the main idea/an idea. answer
Single line indicates a change in thought. 2 Reference to
topic/main
idea/change.
Rhetorical (Do not explain what a rhetorical question is.) 1. Make
question Makes reader think/reflect/consider, engages reader. reference to
the text.
Quote Quote only the word, phrase or short sentence… Include “ ”
Implication What does this imply? What is the underlying
meaning of the word, phrase, punctuation mark,
exclamation, etc..

1
 Inverted Words from another language. Slang/Sarcasm/Irony
commas – other words the writer wants us to know that it is not
true. E.g. He was not selected to represent South
Africa because he was the “wrong” colour.
Intention Intention
To inform, educate, entertain, promote, advertise,
ridicule, criticise.
To stir romantic feelings and to entertain.
To praise the work of the Creator.
To capture attention and inform.
To give general information about a specific topic.
Educate.
To socialize and to communicate informally.
To invite and attract
To protest
To persuade prospective travellers, buyers, participants,
etc. (inform about a product or service) To
promote/advertise
To amuse
To entertain young readers, to teach a moral lesson.
To report on economic matters, the weather, politics,
etc.

Statistics Statistics allow writers to support their arguments with

convincing evidence. They also enable writers to draw
conclusions and argue specific sides of issues without
sounding speculative or vague. Effect on
reader. Statistics refer to factual, numerical evidence
within a Language Analysis piece and are generally
convincing for two reasons. Firstly, they highlight the
logical importance of the issue and provide evidence
for the writer's contention. Statistics- provide a type of
evidence that is difficult to refute.

1.5 – Comment on Diction -Effect is what the word or phrase or 1 Example of

1.8/9 the effects of punctuation mark achieves – does it shock the diction – quote
the diction reader? Make the reader pay attention? Emphasise? word or phrase
Take note if question refers to diction at a specific point 2 Effect that the
in the text: Comment on the use of the word word or phrase
here(line/para) or punctuation
Write down the word/ phrase mark achieves.
3 How do YOU
feel about this
effect?
What does Implication.
writer
suggest?
...in context of NOT your own opinion but actually compared to/in the
the paragraph/ light of what the writer says.
passage.
Writer’s The writer’s attitude/tone towards his listener and 1 What is the
tone/attitude subject (“tone of voice”) e.g. loving, sad, writer’s
aggressive/hostile, serious, despairing, tone/attitude?
2
 positive/enthusiastic/excited, sincere, outraged, 2 Why is this
superior, ironical, pessimistic, so?
critical/disapproving/apprehensive, disgusted, Proof of this.
enthusiastic, optimistic, friendly/pleasant/polite, 3 Your feeling
humorous, gentle/tender, joyful/elated, about this
loving/affectionate, appreciative/admiring/laudatory, tone/attitude
hopeful, conversational, determined, (with reference
persuasive/enticing, arrogant, accusing, mocking, to rest of text.)
informative/explanatory.
Character’s Writer’s feeling. Difference in attitude: Make very
attitude sure to mention both attitudes and show that they are
different. Then give evidence of why you say that.
Critically Mood that is created. Fear, anxiety, excitement,
discuss the anticipation, tension, sorrow, admiration
atmosphere in
paragraph
Critically Compare two ideas: meaning of first, meaning of Yes/No (No
discuss whether second. mark, but very
paragraph/ Do they correspond with each other or contradict important.
Sentence/ each other? 1 Main idea of
compares texts Give a very brief personal observation – based on two aspects that
text – about the extent/significance of the have to be
support/contradiction. compared.
2Proof/example
s/diction/phrase
s from second
aspect.
3 Critical
observation
Is final A final paragraph gives the main ideas of an argument Yes/No (No
paragraph and refers to the thesis statement again. mark, but very
suitable? It could refer to the opposite side of the argument. important.
It could contain advice. 1 Generic
It is a summary. reference to
Repeats phrases/terminology from the rest of the structure/
passage. reason for a final
The reader is drawn into the argument through the use par.
of first-person pronoun. 2 Brief
The writer generalizes/globalizes. summary of
content of this
final par.
3 How is it
suitable or not?
Suitability of Implication of DIFFERENT parts of title.
title Main idea/message of text.
Text - Objective: Usually formal, no bias, no prejudice, tone
Subjective/ would be informative/explanatory/serious, carefully
Objective? selected vocabulary, formal grammar, clear, logical,
academic explanation, sophisticated diction, formal
register and economic/legal/technical/medical/etc
jargon.(words used by a profession/group that are
difficult for others to understand)

3
 Subjective: Biased, prejudice, emotive language, the
use of colloquialisms, slang and direct speech, use
of clichéd, melodramatic(exaggerated) and
sentimental language, outraged, superior, ironical,
despairing, pessimistic, critical, disgusted,
disapproving tone/attitude, rhetorical questions.
1.12 Text A & B Will never only be contextual.
Does Text B support
paragraph/title/argument/message/etc. in Text A?
Which text would have a bigger impact on the reader?
Why?
Compare a description of something in Text A and
something in Text B.
Which text is more effective in doing something.

November 2018: To what extent does Text B support

the title and par 1 of Text A? Here learners HAD to
discuss content.

Language style Carefully selected vocabulary

Varied sentence structure
Formal grammar
Sophisticated diction, formal register and economic/
legal/ technical/ medical/etc jargon.
Objective, unbiased
Simple but imaginative word choice, simple sentences
and frequent use of onomatopoeia.
The use of colloquialisms, slang and direct speech.
Word play combined with question-answer format
Clear, logical, academic explanation
The use of emotive and negatively charged words to
describe a tragic incident.
Poetic rhythm, rhyme and abundant use of figurative
language, assonance and alliteration.
Use of vivid imagery and emotive adjectives to describe
geographical/ historical/architectural/etc. features.
Combination of simple rhyme, based on a shocking
image, with words that have strong connotations.
Enumeration (list) of culinary/décor/teaching/sport/etc
specialities, using descriptive and figurative language
Use of clichéd, melodramatic and sentimental language
Politically Correct Words: Housewife – Home
Executive
Informal
Slang – (e.g. wanna, gonna)
Conversational style/use of personal pronouns
crates a bond of confidence between the writer and the
reader/ involves the reader in the passage.
Emotive language
Biased / prejudiced
Sensational
Connotation
Figures of speech
4
The writer uses metaphorical expressions/hyperbole
such as….to highlight the….
Exclamations !!!!
Ellipses ….