Crash Course on Answering
devices, you will be asked to give
Communication Studies - Paper 1B
You are given 5 minutes before the extract is
read to carefully read and internalize the
questions that have been presented to you. The
extract will be read to you twice, it is advised to
scribble down some pointers to help you
remember key things about the extract and
notes to help you with your answers while the
extract is being read the first time. The second
time it is read, you are carefully internalizing
the passage itself. Listen for literary devices and
figures of speech and make note of them. 20
minutes will be given to you to fully answer the
four questions you have been given.
General questions posed.
Questions will always vary to some extent but
they usually always come in the following
format irrespective of number.
1. (a) In a sentence of no more than 30
words, state the main purpose of the
speaker. Alternatively, you can be asked
to state the main point of the speaker
in a sentence of no more than 30
words.
(b) Give pieces of information (ranging
in number from 2 – 5) that you used or
that helped you to arrive at the main
purpose or the main point as the case
may be.
2. (a) You will be asked to give evidence
from the passage that supports a
statement for example: “Identify FOUR
details about Havana which support the
claim that 'the years have taken toll on
its architectural riches” or you may be
asked to identify devices used by the
speaker in the extract.
(b) If part (a) asked for identification of
examples of them.
3. If previously asked about the devices, or
figures of speech you will be asked to
comment on the effectiveness of one or
more of them on helping the speaker
achieve their purpose or point.
4. The fourth question is variable and can
range from identification of emotions in
the extract to physical descriptions.
How to begin effectively answering
the questions posed.
To begin answering the question about the
main point or purpose, you must have a clear
understanding of the difference between the
MAIN POINT and the MAIN PURPOSE in order
to not get the question entirely wrong.
What is the Main Point?
The main point of an extract is the same
as the main idea of the entire piece. It refers to
those words/sentences that capture the
essence of the overall piece of writing. The
main idea is generally found in the first or last
sentences of the introductory paragraph.
However, sometimes it is not stated and has to
be inferred from the passage A good topic
statement does two things. First, it tells about
an essay's topic. Second, it presents the writer's
attitude, opinion, idea or point about that topic
What is the Main Purpose?
The purpose of a piece of writing is
generally evidenced by the type of discourse
used. It utilizes elements of exposition,
description and narrative. It basically is why the
extract was written.
Mistakes to Avoid in Examination.
DO NOT STAT the main point and the purpose
as the same thing. They may be similar in
content but how you state it in your responses
should be clearly different:
REMEMBER
Ø The main point is that....
Ø The purpose is to....
Once you have written down enough points
while the extract was being read, or you have a
very vivid memory, identifying the pieces of
information YOU used to arrive at either your
main point or main purpose should be relatively
easy. If you cannot remember the exact phrase,
paraphrase it.
Identifying the figures of speech or literary
devices should be easy as well if you wrote
down enough pointers. Here are some devices/
language techniques (adapted from cape-
commstudies.blogspot.) that are commonly
found within paper 1B.
A. CONTRAST
The two widely differing elements are
contrasted using a common value to convey
further information about one or both
elements. The differences between them often
intensify either their positive or negative
qualities. They frequently will be opposites. For
example the warmth of the Caribbean with the
cold winter of the United States (comparison
point temperature). Contrasts also can be
metaphorical.
B. IRONY
Irony is the contrast between what is expected
or what appears to be and what actually is. For
example, ‘A clumsy ballet dancer.’
Verbal Irony (sarcasm is the tone of
voice/writing)
The contrast between what is said and what is
actually meant. For example, He did an
excellent job of making a mess.
Irony of Situation
This refers to a happening that is the opposite
of what is expected or intended. For Example:
The wedding of a son causes a marital
breakdown for the parents.
C. DEVICES OF COMPARISON
METAPHOR
Compares by stating the element is the item of
comparison e.g. The lawyer’s claws were out
and he would not stop until they drew blood,
ANALOGY
Extends a metaphor to compare a situation or
particularly to explain a complex item by using a
familiar item to structure the explanation. E.g.
Exam preparation is like baking a cake all the
ingredients must be used and preparations
thorough before baking. Firstly the ingredients:
study which is lightened with periods of
recreation, physical health, managing stress.
(The analogy would continue for several
paragraphs even)
SIMILE
Compares two unlike objects using like, as,
resembles, looked as though etc. e.g. His exam
worries even after the event were as if a rat was
gnawing at his brain.
PERSONIFICATION
Compares non-human, inanimate elements OR
abstract concepts to using HUMAN qualities e.g.
The building stared down at him daring him to
enter OR Justice is never kindly but it is
ruthlessly fair. If the qualities are not human
then the comparison is a metaphor e.g. A beast
of a car.
ALLUSION
Makes reference to familiar classical, biblical,
historical or other well known cultural events.
For example: Writers often allude to Anansi-like
cunning.
D. DEVICES OF EMPHASIS
HYPERBOLE
Exaggerates qualities of an element or an
overstatement (sometimes for comedic effect).
For Example: I am so hungry I could eat a cow.
REPETITION
Uses repetition of either words, phrases or even
a whole sentence. It only counts as repetition if
the phrase or sentence has been used more
than twice. The same point can also be stated in
various ways. For Example: What if I do not
make it, what if I cannot pass, what if I fail?
DEVICES USING SOUND
Alliteration – The repetition of initial
consonant sounds –barely blowing by
Assonance – The repetition of similar vowel
sounds- grows below grounds
Onomatopoeia - the word sounds like the
sound- the hooting of the owls, the drip of
water.
Commenting of the effectiveness of the device
would just be to state why you think the writer
used that particular device to draw attention to
the main point or purpose. E.g. In the extract
about how people react during an earthquake,
the literary device simile was identified. It was
used to describe the reaction of the people to
that of scampering ants in the presence of the
earthquake to show the panic and fright
caused.
Again once you wrote down enough
information or remember enough key points
the other question will simply be application of
knowledge. E.g. for the extract about Havana
and its old buildings, the question “State FOUR
details of the physical setting presented in this
extract” was asked. The model answer for this
was:
-cracked concrete
-elegant single-storey houses
-brand-new smoked-glass shopping centres
-battered buildings.