Paper 1 Question 2 - Review
First and foremost, the writer’s purpose is to inspire the reader and give them advice on finding happiness. The reader understands the purpose right at the beginning due to the first sentence, “You don’t know me but I hear you are going through a tough time, and I would like to help you.” and “... let you know that happiness isn’t something just afforded to a special few.”
As for the form, it’s a standard letter, however it’s an open letter which means it’s directed to a wider audience rather than just one person which is usually what letters are meant for. The author uses “Dear Stranger” which implies there isn’t a direct audience and the letter could go to anyone. The author is writing his advice and won’t know who it goes to. By also using ‘Dear’ and ‘Happy regards’, to show the form is a letter. And by using those words the author uses a formal and respectful tone.
For the rest of the tone, along with respectful and formal, the author creates a helpful and calming tone. “It’s OK to be stressed, scared and sad”, using this sentence the author tries to get close to the reader and helps them calm down. By being understanding and comforting, it creates a sense of calmness which is what he wanted. By being calm and formal, it makes it easier for the reader to take in the advice and create a sense of respect for the author. This is also accomplished through quotes like “I’ve cheated death on many adventures, seen loved ones pass away…”. This shows that the author has gone through their own troubles and they know what they are talking about. Rather than someone that hasn't made the advice seem untrustworthy.
As for the form, it’s a standard letter, however it’s an open letter which means it’s directed to a wider audience rather than just one person which is usually what letters are meant for. The author uses “Dear Stranger” which implies there isn’t a direct audience and the letter could go to anyone. The author is writing his advice and won’t know who it goes to. By also using ‘Dear’ and ‘Happy regards’, to show the form is a letter. And by using those words the author uses a formal and respectful tone.
For the rest of the tone, along with respectful and formal, the author creates a helpful and calming tone. “It’s OK to be stressed, scared and sad”, using this sentence the author tries to get close to the reader and helps them calm down. By being understanding and comforting, it creates a sense of calmness which is what he wanted. By being calm and formal, it makes it easier for the reader to take in the advice and create a sense of respect for the author. This is also accomplished through quotes like “I’ve cheated death on many adventures, seen loved ones pass away…”. This shows that the author has gone through their own troubles and they know what they are talking about. Rather than someone that hasn't made the advice seem untrustworthy.
This is accomplished all because of the language the author uses. Everything about the letter is determined by audience and purpose. Because of the wide audience and the purpose to give advice, the author chooses his language very carefully. He uses words like sentences like “I want to be open and honest with you”, “Happiness is not about doing, it’s about being.”, and “It can be yours…”. All of these quotes help portray the purpose of inspiring and giving advice.
The author is aware of his audience when writing due to the sentence “You don’t know me but I hear you are going through a tough time,” All he knows is that the person reading his letter is having a tough time. Also the sentence isn’t assuming anything about the reader since each reader could be having a different problem with happiness. In addition, the author uses the letter to speak directly to the person reading. Even though the letter is written to anyone who comes across it, however, by using “...I would like to help you.” and “I want to be open and honest with you…” the author singles out the reader and makes it seem as if the letter was written to them. Along with the author getting close to the reader using ‘I’ and ‘you’ in the sentence.
Considering all the elements that make the text into what it is, the letter is effective in taking everything into consideration and making fit all the factoring. Open letter, advice for everyone regarding happiness, tone of respect and calmness, and using the language to being all of those into the letter.
The author is aware of his audience when writing due to the sentence “You don’t know me but I hear you are going through a tough time,” All he knows is that the person reading his letter is having a tough time. Also the sentence isn’t assuming anything about the reader since each reader could be having a different problem with happiness. In addition, the author uses the letter to speak directly to the person reading. Even though the letter is written to anyone who comes across it, however, by using “...I would like to help you.” and “I want to be open and honest with you…” the author singles out the reader and makes it seem as if the letter was written to them. Along with the author getting close to the reader using ‘I’ and ‘you’ in the sentence.
Considering all the elements that make the text into what it is, the letter is effective in taking everything into consideration and making fit all the factoring. Open letter, advice for everyone regarding happiness, tone of respect and calmness, and using the language to being all of those into the letter.
Hi Zoe! To start your blog was good.
ReplyDeleteA01: You had a clear understanding of the text as you talked about the meaning and purpose of what you read. You also addressed the audience in this way. “The reader understands the purpose right at the beginning…” Here you are telling the reader that you know what you are talking about and most importantly the effect that the excerpt has on that audience. This is very good, and be sure to include this on your test. In regards to the evidence used and the amount, it was okay. Every paragraph that you had either contained one or more pieces of evidence or direct quotes from the text. This is very beneficial, however, it would be better if you cut back on the amount of information you used at a time, concerning how long the quotes are. To have more than one long quote in an already small paragraph makes your reasoning look weak as you only used quotations to fill your paragraph. In the future, I would cut back on the longer quotations and do more of an explanation that follows. I would give you 3marks.
A03: Your explanations were weak in regards to explaining a quotation that you previously used. For example, after a three-sentence paragraph, your explanation consisted of, “All of these quotes help portray the purpose of inspiring and giving advice.” Again, it would be way better if you cut back on the amount of evidence you used and speak more about why you used it. This shows the audience that you know what you are talking about. The way you talk about the audience is okay, you say, “each reader could be having” while you express what the audience might think it would be better if you said “the author does this…. So that the audience feels/takes away…” By doing this you prove to your audience that you are fully aware of everything the author is doing, proving that you know what the author is writing about. In regards to form, structure, and language you did not fully succeed in addressing them all. You stated, “As for the form” and continued in addressing the form very well. And then you stated, “language the author uses” which is then connected by talking about language but never stated elements of language and did not use any buzzwords. In the future, do not forget about structure and advance your terminology on language. Overall you did okay and I would give you 11 marks.
Good job! 14/25 marks.