Language Structures and Conventions Revision Booklet

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Section A: Summary Writing

Instructions

Summarizing requires a careful reading of the text to identify key ideas. Follow these
steps:

1. Topic Sentence: Identify the topic sentence to introduce the main idea.

2. Key Points: Choose 6 additional points that address the question.

3. Flow and Cohesion: Use conjunctions and discourse markers to create a flowing
paragraph.

4. Word Count: Ensure you have a word count to stay concise.

Example

(Example based on a fictional text):

Original Text Excerpt: "Climate change is a significant issue affecting the planet.
Rising temperatures lead to extreme weather events, impacting ecosystems and
human life. Efforts to combat climate change involve reducing emissions and
conserving resources."

Summary Example: Climate change, marked by rising temperatures and extreme

weather, impacts both ecosystems and human life, requiring emission reductions
and resource conservation for mitigation. (30 words)

1. Understanding the Basics of a Cartoon

Definition: Cartoons are drawings that use humour, exaggeration, and symbolism to
make a point, usually about current events, social issues, or human behaviour.

Purpose: Most cartoons aim to entertain, inform, or persuade. They often comment
on real-life issues or people’s behaviour in a humorous or satirical way.
2. Elements of a Cartoon

Characters: These are usually exaggerated versions of people or animals. They

often represent specific roles or types of people, like politicians, teachers, or famous
figures.

Setting: The background or context helps give clues about the situation or the theme
of the cartoon.

Text: Cartoons can have captions, speech bubbles, or thought bubbles. Speech
bubbles show what characters are saying, while thought bubbles show their
thoughts. Captions at the bottom or top of the cartoon often provide additional
context.

Symbols: Cartoonists often use symbols to represent bigger ideas. For example, a
dove can represent peace, a dollar sign can represent money, or a clock can
indicate time running out.

Exaggeration: Cartoons often exaggerate features or situations to make them funny

or emphasize a point.

Irony: Cartoonists use irony when there is a contrast between what is expected and
what happens in the cartoon. This adds humour and often conveys a message about
the unexpected nature of real-world events.

3. Steps to Analyse a Cartoon

Step 1: Observe the Details

Look carefully at the drawing, paying attention to details in the characters, objects,
and setting.

Notice any exaggerated features, like large noses, tiny bodies, or oversized objects.

Step 2: Read the Text

Read any captions, speech bubbles, or thought bubbles. The words give clues to
what’s happening and help you understand the cartoon’s message.

Pay attention to humour in the language—cartoonists often use puns (wordplay) or

sarcasm.

Step 3: Identify the Theme or Message

Think about the main point or message the cartoonist is trying to convey. Is it about a
current event, a social issue, or human behaviour?

Consider how the cartoonist might be using humour to criticize or comment on the
subject.
Step 4: Look for Symbols and Their Meanings

Identify any symbols (like a heart for love or scales for justice) and think about their
meanings in the cartoon’s context.

Ask yourself why the cartoonist chose these symbols and what ideas or feelings they
are trying to evoke.

Step 5: Analyse the Humour or Satire

Determine whether the cartoon is funny, ironic, or sarcastic. Understanding the

humour helps reveal the cartoonist’s point of view.

Think about how exaggeration or irony is used to make you laugh or think differently
about a topic.

5. Questions to Ask When Interpreting Cartoons

Who or what is being represented by the characters or objects?

What is the cartoonist’s main point or message?

Are there any symbols, and what do they represent?

How does the cartoon use humour, irony, or exaggeration to convey its message?

How does the cartoon make you feel, and why do you think it has this effect?

6. Common Literary Tools in Cartoons

Pun: A joke that uses the different meanings of words for humour (e.g., “I’m drawing
a blank!” in a cartoon showing someone literally drawing a blank canvas).

Irony: When the opposite of what’s expected happens, creating humour or

highlighting an issue.

Satire: Using humour to criticize a subject, often to highlight flaws in society, politics,
or human nature.

Ambiguity: Sometimes, cartoons use double meanings or vague elements to make

you think twice or interpret it in different ways.

7. Conclusion

Reading and interpreting cartoons is like solving a puzzle. By looking at the different
elements (characters, symbols, text), asking questions, and understanding the
humour, you can uncover the cartoonist’s message and learn to appreciate this
unique form of visual storytelling.
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Section B: Language Structures and Conventions

1. Parts of Speech

Definition: Each part of speech serves a unique function in a sentence.

Types and Examples:

Noun: Names a person, place, or thing.

Example: "apple," "city."

Verb: Shows action or state of being.

Example: "run," "is."

Adjective: Describes a noun.

Example: "quick," "bright."

Adverb: Describes a verb or adjective.

Example: "quickly," "very."

Sentence Example: "The quick (adjective) fox (noun) jumps (verb) swiftly
(adverb)."

2. Punctuation

Purpose: Punctuation marks clarify meaning and separate ideas.

Examples:

Comma (,): Separates items or clauses.

Example: "He bought apples, oranges, and bananas."

Colon (:): Introduces a list.

Example: "The ingredients are: flour, sugar, and eggs."

3. Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Truncations

Abbreviation: Shortened form of a word.

Example: "Dr." for "Doctor."

Acronym: A word formed from initials, pronounced as a word.

Example: "NASA" (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).

Truncation: Shortening a word by cutting it off.

Example: "Ad" for "advertisement."

4. Vocabulary Terms

Aphesis: Dropping the initial part of a word.

Example: "cause" (because).

Portmanteau: A blend of two words.

Example: "Brunch" (breakfast + lunch).

Redundancy: Unnecessary repetition of meaning.

Example: "End result."

5. Proverbs and Idioms

Proverbs: Traditional sayings with advice.

Example: "Actions speak louder than words."

Idioms: Phrases with non-literal meanings.

Example: "Spill the beans" (reveal a secret).

6. Colloquial and Slang Language

Colloquial: Everyday informal language.

Example: "Gonna" (going to).

Slang: Non-standard vocabulary.

Example: "Cool" (meaning interesting or good).

7. Adjectival and Adverbial Clauses

Adjectival Clause: Describes a noun.

Example: "The boy who won the prize is happy."

Adverbial Clause: Describes a verb.

Example: "She sings when she is happy."

8. Sentence Types and Structures

Simple Sentence: One clause.

Example: "She runs."

Compound Sentence: Two clauses with a conjunction.

Example: "She runs, and he walks."

Complex Sentence: One independent and one dependent clause.

Example: "Although it was late, she went home."

9. Joining Sentences with Conjunctions and Relative Pronouns

Conjunctions: Connect clauses.

Example: "She sings and dances."

Relative Pronouns: Adds more information about a noun.

Example: "The book that I read was interesting."

10. Active and Passive Voice

Active Voice: Subject performs the action.

Example: "The cat chased the mouse."

Passive Voice: Action is done to the subject.

Example: "The mouse was chased by the cat."

11. Direct and Reported Speech

Direct Speech: Exact words spoken.

Example: "She said, 'I’m hungry.'"

Reported Speech: Paraphrasing what was said.

Example: "She said that she was hungry."

12. Concord Errors

Definition: Mismatched subject-verb agreement.

Example: Incorrect—"The team are winning." Correct—"The team is winning."

13. Synonyms, Antonyms, Homonyms, Homophones

Synonym: Same meaning.

Example: "Big" and "large."

Antonym: Opposite meaning.

Example: "Hot" and "cold."

Homonym: Same spelling, different meaning.

Example: "Bat" (animal) and "bat" (sports equipment).

Homophone: Same sound, different spelling/meaning.

Example: "There" and "their."

14. Prefix and Suffix

Prefix: Letters added to the beginning of a word.

Example: "Un-" in "unhappy."

Suffix: Letters added to the end of a word.

Example: "-ness" in "kindness."

15. Prepositions

Definition: Words that show relationships.

Example: "The cat is under the table."

16. Connotation and Denotation

Denotation: Literal meaning.

Example: "Snake" as a reptile.

Connotation: Associated meaning.

Example: "Snake" meaning a deceitful person.

17. Literal and Figurative Language

Literal: Exact meaning.

Example: "She is tall."

Figurative: Uses metaphors and similes.

Example: "She is a shining star."

18. Phrases and Clauses

Phrase: Lacks subject-verb.

Example: "After the storm."

Clause: Has subject and verb.

Example: "When the storm ended."

19. Subject, Verb, Object

Definition: Basic sentence structure.

Example: "The cat (subject) chased (verb) the mouse (object)."