Comprehension

The word comprehension means THE ACT OR PROCESS OF COMPREHENDING

(understanding) so we are evaluating… Do you understand what you have read

or seen? Make sure you do before attempting to answer any questions😊

Figures of speech
Whenever you are answering a question relating to a figure of speech always
identify it, define it, and explain its effectiveness within its context.
Personification
An inanimate object is given the human quality of …. (and state the human
quality it has been given as in the text)

Simile/ Metaphor
A is being compared to B
Look at these closely. It is not always an object being compared to another
object. It could be a movement or a feeling too.

If you are asked to comment on the effectiveness you must express how the
comparative images are brought to life in your imagination or how the sounds
create a mood relating to the text in a sound device.

Comparisons

Simile A direct comparison using like or E.g.

as He is as wealthy as Maxwell
Nott
Metaphor A comparison that does not use E.g.
like or as He is Maxwell Nott
Personification Gives human qualities to E.g.
inanimate objects or abstract Autumn arrived in his coat
ideas of orange, red and gold.
Exaggerations
Hyperbole An over- exaggeration not meant
to be taken literally. It aims to
create humour or to emphasise a
point.
E.g. Professor Snape
complained that he had
hundreds of interruptions
that day.

Denotation and Connotation:

Denotation The strict, dictionary meaning of the word- it is

literal and obvious.
Connotation Is the emotional and figurative association
surrounding a word.

Positive/ Negative connotations:

Words can be positive or negative. You should be able to identify the
connotation and explain your answer.

Word Connotation Explanation

Childish Negative connotation The word refers to the immature
 behaviour of a person.
Youthful Positive connotation Implies that a person is lively and
 energetic.
Parts of Speech
Text will be provided to show the context of the part of speech, pay attention
to these.

Part of Speech Description Example

Adjective (descriptive) Describing word The talented wizard
Possessive adjective Shows ownership. His, hers, theirs, yours, my,
Comes before a mine
noun and tells us
whom the noun
belongs
Compound adjective Two or more Part- time
adjectives joined Cold- blooded
together with a Deep-set
hyphen. Brightly-lit
Verb State or action of Work
Verb pp in miebooks being Play
Study
Adverb of place Talks about the Here, nearby, far away
location where the
action of the verb
is carried out
Participles A form of verb Present participle: pointing
used to modify a Past participle: pointed
noun

Common noun Naming word Desk

Chair
Proper noun Names or people and Mrs D’Angelo
places England
(Has a Capital letter)
Collective nouns Names of collections A staff of teachers
or groups A class of pupils
A flight of swallows
A herd of thestrals
Pronoun Stands in place of the She
noun It
her
Preposition ‘Small words’ which On
relate two words or Behind
phrases to one another In
 to
Articles ‘a’ ‘an’ or ‘the’ which Indefinite article:
precedes nouns or a or an
adjectives Definite article:
The
Conjunction Joining word She came to school although she
wanted to stay at home.

Subject/ Predicate
The subject reflects who or what we are talking about.
o It is the person/ thing that is performing the action.
o The predicate is the rest of the sentence. It usually begins with the verb.

You must be able to identify the subject/ predicate and verb in a sentence.
Example:

At the Theatre the actress leapt onto the stage.

Abstract nouns

Definition: Something that is not visible or tangible (you can give it to someone but not in a
box) It denotes an idea (education, discipline), a quality (ability, beauty) or state (belief,
hope) Abstract nouns are derived particularly from nouns, verbs and adjectives.
Example: John’s intelligence and perseverance won him the trophy

Changing words into abstract nouns:

Examples: lovingly -> love

Patiently -> Patience

Noun Abstract Noun Noun Abstract Noun

brother brotherhood man manhood
child childhood member membership
friend friendship mother motherhood
king kingship neighbour neighbourhood
leader leadership scholar scholarship

Verb Abstract Noun Verb Abstract Noun

act action know knowledge
appear appearance laugh laughter
behave behaviour lose loss
believe belief marry marriage
die death permit permission
do deed please pleasure
employ employment refuse refusal
free freedom sell sale
grow growth speak speech
invite invitation think thought
judge judgement treat treatment
Adjective Abstract Noun Adjective Abstract Noun
angry anger kind kindness
anxious anxiety long length
beautiful beauty honest honesty
brave bravery new newness
different difference strong strength
difficult difficulty thirsty thirst
envious envy unique uniqueness
great greatness weak weakness
happy happiness wide width
hungry hunger wise wisdom

Homophones/ Homonyms

Homonyms
Words that are spelt and pronounced
in the same way, but have different
meanings and functions
 The bark of the tree showed
its age.
 The dog has a loud bark.
Homophones
Words that are pronounced in the same way
buy differ in spelling and meaning.
 The bride walked down the aisle.
 A small island is an isle.

Root words/ Prefix/ Suffix

root word
A root word has no prefix or suffix — it's the most
basic part of a word. The root word at the heart of
"conformity," for example, is "form."
In linguistics, a root word holds the most basic meaning of any word.
It's what's left after you remove all the affixes — the prefixes like
"un-" or "anti-" and suffixes such as "-able" and "-tion." With a word
like "lovely," when you take away the suffix "-ly," you're left with the
root word "love." Other words, like "schoolhouse" and "armchair,"
are made up of two root words together.

Note: When asked to find the root word. You will need to drop either
the prefix or suffix or both to discover the core of the word.

Antonyms/ Synonyms
Synonyms= words with the same/ similar meaning
Antonyms= words with the opposite meaning
Punctuation

Punctuation Mark Function

Capital letter o Sentences start with capital letters
o Proper nouns and Proper adjectives have capital letters
o The main words in titles of books, films and plays are
written in capital letters
Full stop (.) o Indicates the end of a sentence
o Found after certain abbreviations.
Question mark (?) o Occur at the end of a question
Exclamation mark (!) o Used to accentuate and strengthen the tone of a
statement to show emotions.
Comma (,) o Indicate a pause, introducing the spoken word
o Separates words or phrases in a list
o Indicates the end of a phrase or clause and the
beginning of another
o Additional information that could have been inserted in
brackets, or between dashes, may be separated using a
comma
o Used before or after words such as however and
nevertheless
Inverted commas/ o Indicates direct speech
quotation marks o Used to quote someone else’s words
(‘’) or (“”) o Used to excuse slang
o Indicates metaphoric usage e.g. I am the ‘baby’ of the
family.
Dash o Introducing an explanation/idea; additional
(-) The dash line is information; afterthought
slightly longer than the
hyphen
Hyphen o Used to join two words to form a compound word
(-) The hyphen is slightly o Helps differentiate meanings
shorter than the dash o Joins a prefix to a word that starts with the same vowel
e.g. re-examine
o Words that cannot be completed on one line are linked
with a hyphen to the next line.
*Apostrophe o To show contraction/ omission
o To show possession

*The Apostrophe
Contraction/ Omission Possession/ Ownership
o When we join two words for o If the owner is singular the
informality, and in the process one apostrophe comes immediately after
or more letters are omitted the singular form of the noun.
o The apostrophe shows where the E.g. The boy’s school (the school of
letters have been removed the boy)

E.g. o If the owners are plural, the

We’ve – We have apostrophe is placed after the plural
Didn’t – Did not of the noun.
E.g. The boys’ school
(many boys in the school)
o If a name ends in s, we add an ‘s
E.g. Mrs Picus’s
Direct/ Indirect (reported) Speech

Direct speech:
 uses the exact words of the speaker
 Is indicated by inverted commas

To change a sentence from direct to reported speech

 Remove the inverted commas and other unnecessary punctuation
 Change the pronouns to ensure the sentence retains its meaning
 Insert the word that to link the introductory verb to the spoken words
 Change the sentence to the appropriate tense.

Examples:

 “I am not going to the party,” said Theodore

 Theodore said that he was not going to the party

 “I don’t want to go shopping!” replied Draco.

 Draco replied that he did not want to go shopping.

 POETRY

Setting:
o The setting refers to where the poem takes place.
o Identify the location.

Figures of speech:
You must be able to identify the figure of speech and state what is being
suggested with this figure of speech.
Examples:
Personification
An inanimate object is given the human quality of …. (and state the human
quality it has been given)

Simile/ Metaphor
A is being compared to B
Look at these closely. It is not always an object being compared to another
object. It could be a movement or a feeling too.

If you are asked to comment on the effectiveness you must express how the
comparative images are brought to life in your imagination or what you can
hear in a sound device.

1. Comparisons

Simile A direct comparison using like or E.g.

as He is as wealthy as Maxwell
Nott
Metaphor A comparison that does not use E.g.
like or as He is Maxwell Nott
Personification Gives human qualities to E.g.
inanimate objects or abstract Autumn arrived in his coat
ideas of orange, red and gold.

2. Sound Devices
Alliteration The repetition of consonant E.g. Weasley wizard
sounds at the beginning of words. wheezes

Assonance The repetition of vowel sounds. E.g. Clap your hands and
stamp your feet.
Onomatopoeia Uses words that imitate real-life E.g. The sky exploded with
sounds. a crash and bang.
Rhyme Depends on sound, not written I am certain that this
word. curtain…

Sound devices contribute to the mood of a poem. Some sounds are longer and gentler,
and others are short and sharp by nature. Think about what mood this
Note: evokes with reference to what the poem is about and the Poets
intention.
 Pun Word play suggesting two or Band- musical band
more meanings of a word. Band- to join together

Associated words:
These are words that have some kind of a relationship with each other.

E.g.: drum -> beat- > rhythm

Rhyme schemes:
(Depends on sound not sight)
Rhyme scheme is a poet's deliberate pattern of lines that rhyme
with other lines in a poem or a stanza. The rhyme scheme, or
pattern, can be identified by giving end words that rhyme with each
other the same letter.

 Two consecutive rhyming lines are called a couplet

 A four- lined poem is called a quatrain

Rhyme schemes differ:

aabb (this is an example of a rhyming couplet)
abab
abba
All the above are examples of a quatrains because they have four lines.
Patterns:
The form (lines to form stanzas) of the poem is carefully structured by the poet.
Each stanza may contain the same number of lines, or the number of lines may
alternate or vary.
To identify the pattern. Count the number of lines in each stanza and you will be
able to identify the pattern.

The pattern affects:

o The rhythm of the poem
o The beat of the poem
o The flow of a poem
o The predictability of a poem

Look closely at what the poem is about and why the Poet might have chosen a
particular pattern that affects the way you deliver the poem.
Punctuation… or lack thereof
Many poems choose not to insert any punctuation. The fluidity and rhythm of
the poem’s flows/ increases the pace of a poem when there is no punctuation.

Look again at what the poem is about to understand why the Poet might have
made this choice.

Enjambements: the continuation of a sentence without a pause beyond the end

of a line, couplet or stanza.
Stating your opinion:
When stating your own opinion on something. Choose a stand and be clear and
mature in your response. Always refer to the text to back up your opinion.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms= words with the same/ similar meaning
Antonyms= words with the opposite meaning

Literal vs. Figurative Language

Literal: means exactly what is says

Figurative: does not mean exactly what it says- something is implied/

suggested through figurative language.

Message of poem:
The poet will always have an intention and the poem very often a message. Think about what the lines
are trying to evoke within the reader. This is often related to a feeling the Poet desires the reader to
experience.

Examples: Fear, Pride, Respect, empathy

VISUAL LITERACY
 CARTOON

Read the cartoons slowly and carefully at least twice before attempting to
answer any of the questions. Pay careful attention to the visual clues as you
read.

A visual clue is information conveyed through images (pictures) not text

(writing). These often indicate the feeling of the characters.

Example: A character covering their ears might indicate that they do not like
or want to hear what the other character is saying.
OR
Lots of movement lines may indicate a character is waving their arms in
distress.

Visual Clues:
Movement:
Curved lines next to the characters represent the movement of the characters. Many lines
may indicate more movement that is less controlled.

Body language:
The way the characters are standing. Posture and gestures.

Facial expressions:
Characters may be frowning, smiling, or showing signs of happiness or struggle on their
faces.

Dress and props:

The way a character is dressed will indicate their status in society. A suit and tie could
represent a businessman while shabby, torn or dirty clothes might represent a beggar. Props
will also show us more about the character. A briefcase could indicate a businessman or a
wand a princess.

Verbal Clues:
Verbal clues are prompts conveyed in spoken language. (Text of the advertisement etc.)

Speech bubbles:
May be thought bubbles (only in the characters head) or speech bubbles that the other
characters in the frame will be able to hear. The text gives a lot of information about
characters and relationships.

Humour:
Explaining humour is to identify what is amusing or comic within the frame/ cartoon.
 Irony:
3. Contradictions
Irony Implies the opposite of what is E.g.
being said- the intention is for the “I can’t wait for my
opposite to be understood. detention on Friday
afternoon”
The opposite of what is expected
occurs. E.g. A detective who is
Situational Irony employed to catch a thief
finds himself arrested for
dishonesty.

The audience has knowledge of Little shop of Horrors – the

Dramatic Irony something the actors are unaware audience knows the plant
of- builds tension. will eat people, but the
actors do not.

Setting:
The setting refers to where the cartoon is taking place. Identify the location.
 INFOGRAPHIC
Definition:
Infographics are graphical visual representations of information, data or knowledge intended to
present information, quickly and clearly.
Study the data very carefully before attempting to answer any of the questions. Read the heading and
pay attention to visual clues on the graph. Identify the currency and the subject of what is being
analysed.

Visual clues:
A visual clue is an image or picture.

Data:
o Growth is shown through rising bars, + signs, an increase in numbers, or rising arrows
o Losses are shown through decreasing bars, - signs, a decrease in numbers, arrows pointing
down.
o The categories of what is being compared is written in a row along the bottom of the graph.

Opinion:
When stating your opinion make sure you use the graph to back up your answer.

Advertisement

The aim of an advertisement is to get people to buy something.

The design elements are carefully considered, and each choice made
deliberately to achieve product sales.
Design elements:
 The size of font (print)
 The colours
  The language (formal, informal, figurative, repetitive etc.)
 The layout (how things are arranged on the page)

Brand name:
What is the name of the brand being advertised?

Note many different products may be made from this brand. So the image may
be of a takkie but the brand is Nike. Nike make active wear, water bottles, gym
bags and an array of other products too.

Target market:
People who will buy the product
Slogan:
A catchy phrase usually just beneath the Brand name and logo.
Logo:
A logo is a graphic mark, emblem, or symbol used to aid and promote public
recognition. It may be of an abstract or figurative design or include the text of
the name it represents as in a logotype or wordmark.

Focal point
The centre of interest/ activity

Refer to your advertising oral for more information on persuasive strategies

(pathos, logos, ethos) and language devices used in Advertising.

Double meanings:

Literal: means exactly what is says

Figurative: does not mean exactly what it says- something is implied/

suggested through figurative language.
 FILM SKILLS
Predominant lines
Images in films, advertising or other media may give the impression of direction. This helps
create the desired mood or atmosphere of the advertisers or directors.

Horizontal lines Peace and harmony

Vertical lines Strength and spiritual leanings

Diagonal lines Movement and activity

Camera shots:
Long shot Medium shot Close-up

Can see the full length of the body From the waist up. We can no We can no longer see body, just
and background. We can sense the longer see any background, but face. Facial expression is obvious.
location. facial expression is more evident
Camera angles:

The angles of the camera shots shift the way you perceive the characters and react to situations.

Always remember if it says ‘high’ or ‘low’ that is where the camera has been placed.

High angled shots: (camera is high looking down)

 Are taken from above.
 These shots detract from the character, making him/ her less significant, unimportant, or
vulnerable in a particular moment.

Bird’s eye view: (camera is directly above the action looking down)
 Are taken from directly above
 Similar but more extreme to a high angled shot

Low angled shots: (camera is low looking up)

 Taken from a low perspective upwards
 Makes the character appear more powerful and important.

Worm’s eye view: (Camera is underneath looking directly up)

 Taken from directly below
 Similar to low angled shots, but more extreme

Eye-level shots
 Natural filming and viewing of characters and scenes
 Has a neutral effect
 Colour:

Colour can evoke mood and atmosphere in images and media.

Red
This bold, loud colour
shows passion and
vitality. Depending on
the context it could
also show anger and
aggression.

Orange
A comfortable colour
showing joy, liveliness,
enthusiasm and hope.
 Blue
Blue can show
sincerity and calm like
the ocean or in other
contexts isolation and
cold or reflects a
sombre atmosphere.

Black
The colour of sorrow,
sadness, loss or
remorse.

Green
Nature & the natural
world. Tranquillity.

Paintings:
Mood

Paintings suggest a certain mood. When we look at them, we feel something.

They can make us happy or sad, can be uplifting or depressing. Some paintings
may even disturb or unsettle you.

Colour
Warm colours
Reds, yellow, oranges
Evoke warmth because they remind
us of the sun/ fire.
Cool colours
Blues, green, purple
Evoke a cool feeling because they
remind us of water/ grass.

Show passion and vitality. Can be calming or depressing- show

illness or isolation.
Study hard
Mrs Sof