Operatoren

• Analyse/Examine (II) - describe and explain in detail
• assess/evaluate (III) - express a well-founded opinion on the nature or quality of sb. /smt.
• comment (on) (III) - give your opinion and support your view with evidence or reasons
• compare (II) - show similarities and differences
• contrast (II) - emphasize the differences between two or more things
• describe (I) - give a detailed account of (no line references, no quotes)
• discuss (III) - give arguments or reasons for and against, especially to come to a well-founded conclusion
• explain (II) - make something clear, show causes and effects in a given context
• illustrate (II) - use examples to explain or make sth. clear
• justify (III) - present reasons for decisions, positions or conclusions
• outline (I) - give the main features, structure or general principles of sth. (no line references, no quotes)
• state (I) - present the main aspects of sth. briefly and clearly (no line references, no quotes)
• summarise/sum up (I) - give a concise account of the main points or ideas of a text, issue or topic (no line references, no quotes)
• write (+text type) (III) - produce a text with specific features
• AFB 1 = Focus on facts or events. What happens? What does the author state?

  • Use the simple present: she thinks, he runs, they eat, ...
  • Use your own words.
  • Focus on the main aspects.
  • Be precise, but short: “She feels bad“ is not precise. Does she feel angry, disappointed, sick, embarrassed,...?
  • Don't quote, don't give your own opinion or start interpreting!
  • There is one exception: “Describe“ demands that you give details. Example: Describe the picture.
• AFB 2 = Focus on conclusions you can draw based on the text.

  1. Use the simple present: she thinks, he runs, they eat, ...
  2. You have to PEE: Point, Evidence, Explanation: Draw conclusions and EXPLAIN your ideas. Refer to the text. I should not have to read the original text again to understand you:
  3. YOU: Her behavior shows...
  4. SO, what did she do? You need to say that as well!
  5. Quote correctly. Use different useful phrases to integrate your quotations.
• • AFB 3 = Focus on giving reasons, evaluation, writing narrative texts.
  • Think of plausible arguments or aspects.
  • Explain them: WHY does racism prevent people of colourfrom achieving the American dream?
  • Use examples to illustrate your arguments:Refer to texts, films dealt with in class!
  • You are often asked to write a letter, e-mail, article, diary entry etc.You need to know how to write such a text.

    

  • Be careful:comment = You choose: pros OR cons.justify = The task tells you to give ONLY pros. discuss = pros AND cons.You need to come to a decision at the end.