Language Paper 1 - The Evaluation Question (Q4)

Hi folks,

Here's some more advice ahead of Paper 1 on Wednesday.

First, a reminder of the questions and suggested timings:

Q4 - Evaluation

You need at least 20 minutes to answer this 20 mark question. 

So, what is evaluation?

Evaluation is the making of a judgement about the value of something. Think of the Great British Bake-Off: when Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry comment on a cake, they are evaluating; they say whether it is good or why it is good.

For your Q4, you will almost certainly be focusing on some aspect of what the writer does well, and how they do it. You will be invited to make a judgement - or at least to back up somebody else's judgement. In a sense, you are both evaluating the text and evaluating the statement in the question. AQA have been clear that you are expected to agree with the statement, or at least largely agree. 

You can expect:

• to be asked about the second half of the extract (always check the line numbers in the questions carefully)
• a comment on the extract which begins: 'A student said: ...'
• three bullet points to help you, in roughly this format: 

                               - your own impressions

                               - how the writer shows that

                               - a reminder to support your response

Here's an example question in this format:

Here are my tips for this question:

• Start by underlining/highlighting (even annotating) the key ideas in the question. This will focus you on the terms of the debate and will help you find the appropriate evidence. E.g (apologies for the wonky writing): 

• Next, quickly look for evidence to back up this view. You may even find a counter-argument (although it is not necessary to make one).
• When arguing your view, you need to build a strong, evaluative argument. This means lots of plenty of evidence (the more linked quotes, the stronger your argument) with analysis of how your evidence backs up the view in the question and your view.

TOP TIPS:

• Link quotes together to build your case. E.g: This effect is further emphasised when... This idea is later developed when... The writer returns to this idea later when...
• Use adverbs to make sure you're evaluating the writer's methods. Good examples are effectively, cleverly, subtly, judiciously. These words are praising the writer; they show that you appreciate aspects of the writer's craft.

Now for some examples. Here is the model paragraph we wrote together back in January in response to the Brighton Rock question:

  Perhaps the most effective way in which Greene gets across a feeling of unease is in the way he witholds information from the reader. Having planted the word 'murder' in the first line, he gives us very few details, instead teasing us with vague references like 'he had reasons why he didn't feel too safe.' By excluding us from Hale's thought processes here, we are left just as uncertain as Hale is.

   This unease is further developed in the descriptions of the crowd scenes, in which he uses words such as 'crowded' and 'cramped' to create a claustophobic, bewildering scene. There are plenty of descriptive phrases with negative, even gothic, connotations. For example, the crowd is said to be 'uncoiled' like a snake, and there are references to 'ghosts' and 'grinning skeletons'. It is not just the reminders of death that remind us of the first line, but also there is an unnerving, uncanny feeling produced by the idea of skeletons grinning, like he feels he is being watched and taunted by those that would kill him.

And here is a great response from the mock:

CONTENT REMOVED! NO CHEATING!

The texts discussed in the above examples can be found in your email inbox or in your diagnostic book.

Again, if you want to check out advice from elsewhere, I'd recommend this (which also contains a link to a practice question and extract) and something like this.

Next blog: Q5 - writing.

Mr M