This exam is TWO HOURS long, and contains two sections.
Section A - Spoken Language Analysis
Section B - Language Issues
The section are EQUALLY WEIGHTED (60 marks per section), so you should spend roughly half of the time you are given on each text. You MAY feel you can devote 5 more minutes to section A, as it requires more reading and planning.
Section A - What to expect
You will almost certainly be given TWO spoken transcripts from the same genre or related genres. The question will be rather general and will usually just ask you to analyse the spoken language of each text, as examples of that genre. So, you will need to make judgements about where it is taking place, who is speaking and who is listening. Once you identify these factors, you will be able to make points about whether or not the communication flows the way you would expect it to.
The texts WILL contain specific spoken language features such as non-fluency features, power struggles, politeness features etc. You should aim to analyse SPECIFIC spoken features where possible, though you normal linguistic terminology is relevant throughout.
Essentially, the examiner wants you to do the following things:
*Introduce and analyse each text EQUALLY, making CLOSE ANALYSIS of each text.
*Point out what is actually going on in the text by making a variety of points, and relating this to the context.
*Make close and valid comparisons between the texts analysing specific differences you are able to identify, and explaining this via context, speaker, listener etc.
Amount:
Obviously, your aim is to write as much QUALITY analysis as possible, shared equally amongst the texts. I would aim to make a MINIMUM of SEVEN individual points per text (14 in total). Remember, however, not every paragraph needs to be long and sprawling (although some might). Some might just be extremely concise, based on one specific word or phrase, whilst others may need 3-4 separate pieces of evidence to support them. Essentially, each PG should take you around 4 minutes to write, so you might want to practice writing individual paragraphs as part of your preparation.
Things to remember and watch out for:
*Timings. If you are spending too long on a point, wrap it up and move on. Variety is essential.
*Balance. If you have gone over the half way point and are still on Text A, wrap it up and move on. An equal analytical balance is essential.
*Theories. Whilst we can not guarantee which of these will be relevant, it is possible you will need to mention Power, Grice's Maxims, Face, Politeness etc and relate this to context. (eg, identify a politeness feature and explain why the context has made this happen)
*Anomalies. Remember, a transcript won't always pan out the way you expect it to. Sometimes you are looking for points which are odd or surprising. (eg, it is totally inappropriate for someone to commit a FTA here - this is not what we would expect in this context.)
*Pragmatics. Always use PLENTY of terms per PG. However, don't just list term after term. Identify the important ones, and analyse closely any words or phrases which are interesting or significant in this context.
For example - "You rebel scum are no match for the power of the Dark Side."
Don't analyse like this, "The second person pronoun, premodifying adjective, colloquial noun, conjunction, negated abstract noun, preposition, definite article, abstract noun and proper noun show that the Emperor is confident of his army's might."
Instead, focus on pragmatics, "Within the statement, the colloquial noun 'scum' connotes the Emperor's hatred of the plural noun 'rebels', whereas the abstract noun 'power' implies a lack of hope for them. Interestingly, the adjective 'Dark' implies that he knows he is a bad guy, but doesn't care.
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