Analytical Writing in English Exams

This page delves into the analytical aspect of English exams, providing a structured approach to examining texts in depth.

Structuring Your Analysis

• Start with a linking sentence transitioning from comprehension to analysis
• Formulate a hypothesis at the beginning of your analysis
• Use operators like "analyze," "examine," "characterize," or "interpret"

Example: A sample hypothesis might be: "The author stresses his/her view that (...) by using certain communicative strategies such as direct address, use of personal pronouns and statistics, which are also supported by a certain language."

Guidelines for Analytical Writing

• Provide proof from the text and use quotes
• Use simple present tense
• Separate different aspects of your analysis (e.g., choice of words, rhetorical devices)
• Organize your thoughts into paragraphs

Highlight: Focus on language analysis rather than content when instructed to do so. Be precise with classifications of linguistic features.

Vocabulary: Analyse fiktionaler Texte Deutsch and Analyse und Erörterung pragmatischer Texte refer to the analysis of fictional and non-fictional texts respectively, which are key skills in both German and English language studies.

Page 4: Letter Writing Guidelines

The fourth page provides comprehensive instructions for composing letters to the editor, emphasizing formal writing conventions and structure.

Definition: A letter to the editor is a formal written response to a published article, requiring specific formatting and language conventions.

Example: The pre-writing process includes skimming the article for main points and determining the letter's purpose (inform, criticize, or support).

Highlight: Formal letter writing requires appropriate language, clear structure, and focused argumentation.

Comprehension and Analysis in English Exams

This page introduces the fundamentals of tackling comprehension tasks in English exams, emphasizing the importance of clear and structured responses.

Key Points for Comprehension Tasks

• Begin with a linking sentence that repeats the assignment's words
• Use appropriate operators like "describe," "outline," or "summarize"
• Vary vocabulary when referring to the author's statements
• Write an introductory sentence including the text's title, author, year, and main idea

Highlight: Always concentrate on the demanded aspects and use your own words, except for technical terms.

Do's and Don'ts for Comprehension

• Use transitional phrases like "Firstly," "secondly," "also," "furthermore"
• Create visual paragraphs for better readability
• Avoid quoting directly from the text
• Refrain from giving personal opinions
• Do not use short forms in formal writing

Example: Instead of "The author says...", vary your language with phrases like "XY states/claims/mentions/puts forward/criticizes/maintains/asserts/posits/illustrates..."