Definition of Terms
The RUAE exam stands for Reading for Understanding, Analysis, and Evaluation. It is a critical part of the Higher English curriculum, specifically for students in Scotland. The exam focuses on testing the students' ability to understand, analyze, and evaluate written texts.
Critical Terms
- Term
- Rubric
- Headline
- Sub-heading
- Facts
- Statistics
- Quotes
- Subject Matter
- Purpose
- Tone
- Mood/Atmosphere
- Register
- Word Choice
- Denotation
- Connotation
- Emotive Language
- Emphatic Language
- Ambiguous
- Persuader
- Portmanteau/Neologism
- Jargon
- Dialect
- Formal
- Informal
- Colloquial
- Incongruity
- Juxtaposition
- Oxymoron
- Paradox
- Simile
Understanding the Terms
The dictionary of useful critical terms provides a comprehensive list of terms that are integral to the analysis of written texts. These terms are essential for students to understand in order to excel in the RUAE exam.
When encountering written texts in the exam, students need to pay close attention to the italicized information provided. This information offers vital clues to the subject matter, purpose, and tone of the article. Additionally, the bold title of an article should imply the subject matter and possibly the writer's tone. It should also use a device to hook the reader's interest.
Identifying Key Elements
The students need to identify the subject matter, purpose, and tone of the text. They should look for repeated ideas and key words to comprehend the central message.
Purpose, Tone, and Mood
Understanding the purpose, tone, and mood of the text is critical. The purpose refers to the reason the writer has written the text. It could be to inform, entertain, persuade, explore, educate, or reflect. The tone reflects the writer's attitude towards the subject matter, such as mocking, critical, serious, or humorous. The mood or atmosphere is the feeling created by the writer to help make their point.
Language Techniques
The register, word choice, denotation, connotation, emotive language, emphatic language, ambiguous language, and persuasive language are all language techniques that students need to be familiar with. These techniques are used by writers to convey their message effectively.
Examples of Key Terms
Denotation and Connotation
Denotation refers to the dictionary definition of a word, while connotation refers to the ideas we associate with a word. It is crucial to understand and differentiate between these two aspects when analyzing a text.
Simile and Emotive Language
A simile is a comparison between two things using 'like' or 'as', while emotive language consists of words designed to stir up specific emotions in the reader.
Oxymoron and Juxtaposition
An oxymoron involves two apparently contradictory words placed side by side which create a new idea that makes sense, while juxtaposition involves placing two contrasting ideas in close proximity for effect.
Language Usage
Students also need to be able to identify formal and informal language, colloquial language, and incongruity in texts. These language usage factors play a significant role in understanding the writer's message and the overall tone of the text.
In conclusion, the Higher English RUAE exam is a comprehensive assessment of students' ability to understand and analyze written texts. Understanding the critical terms and language techniques is crucial for success in this exam. The dictionary of useful critical terms is a valuable resource for students preparing for this exam.
