organising a language analysis

[brenden]

Definitely analyse the extras. The 10/10 Physiks knows would have been incredible writers that couldn't have fairly been given a nine, I'd say. Rule of thumb, anything that appears on the exam should be analysed; if there's two pictures, do both. If there's comments, analyse them.
I grouped the comments for last year's (as a prac this year) into one paragraph and sort of did a comparison between the indiviudal mini-arguments and language technique (I found there to be generally one large technique) and how they reinforced or detracted from the writer's contention. It doesn't have to be written by the writer to reinforce the contention of the piece if it is included in the next publication of the magazine or in comments of the blog etc.

[werdna]

^ Exactly right. And for the comments, make sure you say that Helen Day intended to ignite debate through the blog, and has done so in the form of the comments from readers.

It is CRUCIAL that you all read the background information and the exam instructions - the instructions to 'read all parts of the blog' basically tells you to acknowledge the comments as well! And the background information will always tell you the form of the piece, so don't get it wrong in your analysis otherwise you'll look like a stooge.. haha