Non-fiction comprehension

Mr Curr's advice


1. read the questions first, then the passage (s)
2. write notes on the question paper
3. look for FACT and OPINION (facts can be proved; opinion is what someone thinks)
4. look at the marks per question: more marks mean write more points, spending longer on this question
5. look at presentatation: the two pieces will probably contrast (be different)
eg look for

- a personal direct appeal to the reader (uses words like YOU, YOURSELF, to make us imagine ourselves doing something)
- use of informal words and phrases (groups of words); informal means nearly slang - this is to appeal to young people, to sound trendy
- the appeal to emotion, to heart strings - perhaps by focusing on a child or family
- use of headlines and subheadings, especially in a newspaper or magazine article (these are to break up the article, and to draw our interest towards it)
- use of font styles, sizes and colours to add interest, attract attention and emphasise
- use of pictures and layout (to make the piece attractive)
- formal language (sounds distant, impersonal) characterises fact-based briefing or information sheets
- tables and statistics may be used (to persuade us with scientifically presented fact)
- points may be listed, with 'bullets' to make them stand out
- an appeal to intellect (perhaps by interpreting data and using words like 'analyse')

6. As with texts, think about the subtle, suggested meanings as well as the obvious ones. Try to work out the pattern of thoughts in the passage - how does it persuade you? Is it through a photo, then some facts, then a focus on one hungry child, then an address to send money to?)
7. Look at the style of writing. Are the sentences long, drawing us in, or short and punchy, delivering fact after fact? Are questions used, to make us think?
8. Decide what you think - one question may invite you to give an opinion.


Mr Curr's answers to the Orange Book sample comprehension, higher tier.
I Curr 1999