The document provides guidance on how to structure a response to Question 2 from an exam. It includes examples of analyzing language from two passages, highlighting quotes in yellow, their meanings in green, techniques used in blue, and the feelings or effects on the reader in pink. For part (a) on O'Neill's fall, it examines phrases like "scrabbling of hands and feet" and "dropping through space" to convey a sense of desperation and being out of control. For part (b) on Dean Potter, it discusses terms like "gentle giant" that contrast with his daring actions and suggest a peaceful nature underneath.

1. How to structure Q2

2. So… repeat this 8 times (4 in each para)
Key: quote = yellow, means = green, technique = blue, reader
feel and effect (why used) = pink
The writer describes X as ‘QUOTE’. This means… (state the obvious – tell me what
the words MEAN) The use of the TECHNIQUE is effective because it implies… (GIVE
THE DEEPER/HIDDEN CONNOTATIONS HERE) This is effective as it makes the
reader feel…
The writer describes Aunt Pegg as “leering, sneering, peering”, meaning
that she is always watching them and is always around. The use of the list
implies that there is no end to her negative qualities and her desire to make
their life difficult. This is effective as it is clearly irritating to the children
because they can’t do what they want and they get caught out for very small
offenses. This makes the reader feel sympathy towards the children
because she is excessively controlling and they become unhappy.
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The reader also feels sympathy for the children when she ‘snarls’ at the
them and uses short, snappy sentences like ‘How dare you!’. This is
effective because shows that she is intimidating them because she is
accusing them without any explanation and seems to enjoy punishing them.

3. Key:
Yellow = quotes (1-5 words long)
Blue = techniques
Pink = why used
Green = links between quotes
The writer describes of Aunt Pegg as ‘Vile Aunt Pegg!’ The shortness of this
sentence along with the exclamation mark show how passionately the writer feels
about her through added emphasis. This is reinforced by the phrase ‘Leering,
sneering, peering...’ which is also powerful as the words all have the same sound,
and make the sentence sound a bit comic as it is a bit over the top. The repetition
of ‘Aunt Pegg!’ that follows, also adds emphasis to the whole passage so far. ‘Like a
cat’ is quite important as it is a simile which can sum up many adjectives
associated with a cat; graceful, clever, charming… but in this context it represents
Aunt Pegg’s unexpected ability to “pounce”, and the ability of a cat to move silently
(and almost become invisible) which are developed further when we are told “one
moment she wasn’t there...” in Paragraph 3. The cat-like effect is emphasised
towards the end of the paragraph through the use of the word ‘snarl’, highlighting
her possible violent nature. By describing Aunt Pegg in this way, the reader feels
sorry for the children and views Aunt Pegg as a deliberately cruel and vindictive
character.

4. Key:
Yellow = quotes (1-5 words long)
Blue = techniques
Pink = why used
Green = links between quotes

5. WRITE X1 LANGUAGE ANALYSIS
PARAGRAPH IN A GROUP OF 3
HIGHLIGHT YOUR
QUOTES/MEANING/TECHNIQUE/EFFECTIVE AND
READER

6. Answer the whole of Q2!
2 Re-read the descriptions of:
(a) O’Neill’s fall in paragraph 3;
(b) Dean Potter in paragraph 5.
Select words and phrases from these
descriptions, and explain how the writer has
created effects by using this language.

7. (a) O’Neill’s fall in paragraph 3
• There is a definite shift here in the passage: the first part outlines the dangers of the
climb, but also gives us some assurance that they know what they’re doing – owing to
the jargon/experience so far. O’Neill’s fall is, however, unexpected and the sheer sense
of helplessness is the overwhelming feel to this description.
• ‘Scrabbling of hands and feet on rock’ is an ominous early sign of trouble though some
good responses could infer that Nature is tougher than humans here. Also ‘scrabbling’
is the antithesis of the very controlled and fast ascent mentioned earlier.
Links with desperation/plummeting down that comes with desperate yell: ‘Falling!’ Good
responses may expand on this echoing in the valley and comment on the use of the
exclamation mark.
• ‘Dropping through space’: image of an astronaut in a different dimension – something
quite peaceful about it – compared to arms flailing, legs splaying – completely out of
control/ vulnerable.
• ‘Like a manic ‘: This key image has connotations of being controlled (some might
mention the symbiotic relationship required so that Potter is the ‘controller’).
• ‘Out of pity, has cut all of his strings except one’ again suggests that O’Neill is at the
mercy of Nature/Potter (or both).
Suddenly, he jerks to a stop is an obvious, deliberate pause in the passage – sense of ‘is
he still alive?’
• ‘Plunging’ suggests rapid downwards movement, such as diving.

8. (b) Dean Potter in paragraph 5
• The key image, ‘a gentle giant’ contrasts with what we expect him to be
like (after the ‘bass boom’ of his voice as he shouts O’Neill into action). It
could also be contrasted with the comparison of him to Tarzan where any
mention of the wild man of the jungle/living in the middle of nature and
danger/unafraid of anything/out of civilisation or other associations with
the character that may link with the way Potter lives his life should be
credited.
• ‘Wide-set brown eyes and tumbling mane’ could be linked to a lion (king
of the jungle, like Tarzan) although it does suggest a gentleness/softness
about him.
The slightly battered-looking nose and barrel chest are in contrast and
suggest toughness/strength/resilience.
• Brooding inhabitant of the wild gives us the feeling that he is at home in
this habitat/hostile environment he has adopted, waiting for more
opportunities to challenge himself. Some responses may concentrate on
brooding and wild and give credit if these make some sense as a
description of Potter.
• Roused to fantastic bouts of action/daring stunts contrast his ordinary
life with sudden hero type action – some may even pick up on pop star
heroes commanding the attention of/throwing themselves into the
crowd.