2025 ENG1514

Assignment 1

IMPORTANT

Before attempting this assignment, you are advised to:

• read through Units 1 and 2 of Tutorial 501/0/2025 (Study Guide),

• read the relevant parts of your prescribed and recommended texts,
• attempt the activities that have been integrated into both units and work
through the feedback provided.
• engage with your designated E-tutor.

WARNING ON PLAGIARISM

Do not simply copy and paste verbatim your answers from your study guide or
prescribed texts for part 1 of this assignment.

We want you to demonstrate your understanding of the questions. It is therefore

compulsory that your answers should be in your own words and should clearly
show that you have engaged with your study material and understood the
content.

Please cite the source of your information within your answer, even if you only use the
definition from your study guide and prescribed texts.

Examples:

Wyse et al., (2013: 80) define ……

According to Horne & Heinemann (2003: 28), academic writing is ….

On page 15 of the Study Guide, critical language awareness is explained as ….

Provide full references for any in-text citations at the end of your assignment in a
Bibliography.

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Open Rubric
 You will lose marks if you ignore this warning and plagiarise

INSTRUCTIONS

There are two parts to this assignment. Answer ALL questions that have been set.
The first part asks knowledge-based questions. The second part requires you to apply
the knowledge you have gained in Units 1 and 2 in answering questions based on the
text provided. The first part is marked out of 25 and the second part out of 25. The total
mark for the assignment is 50.

Knowledge-Based Questions
Phonemic Awareness
Read pages 96 to 98 of 2025 Study Guide (Tutorial 501) and Chapter 12 of any edition
(2013-2025) of the prescribed text Wyse and et al, critically and reflectively in order to
answer the following Questions. Chapter 12 of the 2013 edition has been provided on
the module site and with this assignment for those who do not have the textbook.
1.
a) Use two words to explain the relationship between English sounds (phonemes)
and alphabets (graphemes) in relation to spelling. 4 Marks
(2 marks for two correct words and 2 marks for plausible explanation.)

b) Explain how phonemic awareness influences the pronunciation of words in

English. 2 Marks

c) From your knowledge of phonemic awareness after reading Chapter 12 of any

edition of the prescribed text above and pages 96 to 98 of 2025 Study Guide,
give two words that you have learned to spell correctly and two words that you
have been mispronouncing. 4 Marks

2.
a) Explain your understanding of critical language awareness 2 Marks

b) How does your understanding of the concept critical language awareness help
you to interpret the possible meaning that can be derived in the KFC popular
catch phrase “Finger Licking Good” 3 Marks

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 3. Genre is a formal concept in language that refers to a particular type or style of
literature, art, film, or music, recognisable because of its special features and
specific language characteristics. Give three music genres that are popularly
known in your indigenous socio-cultural context.
3 Marks

4. Access this link https://youtu.be/1_u3cpbBGTk?si=99HtybbAE66mQCaU to

watch the KFC advertisement. Identify the three multimodal features of human
communication found in this advertisement. 3 Marks

5. Explain the difference between the following sentences:

a) The Vice Chancellor declared the graduation ceremony closed.
b) The graduation ceremony was declared closed by the Vice Chancellor
2 Marks

6. Identify the type of verb underlined in the following sentences:

a) The Springbok players appear happy.
b) Closing the classroom, the teacher went home. 2 Marks
Total 25 marks

Section B TEXT
The Rise of Podcasting: How Digital Audio Is Revolutionising Journalism
Suvrat. A. (2024). Al Jazeera Journalism Review. Available at:
https://institute.aljazeera.net/en/ajr/article/2710) (Accessed Date: 15 November 2024)
Paragraph 1
When and How Did Podcasts become Popular?
Podcasting has its roots in the early 2000s, with the term "podcast" being coined in
2004, combining "iPod" and "broadcast." However, it wasn't until technology became
more accessible, with the rapid spread of smartphones and affordable recording
equipment, that podcasting started to gain significant attention. Now, almost anyone can
create a podcast.

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Paragraph 2
But the trend experienced a major surge in the mid-2010s, especially with the success
of "Serial" in 2014, an investigative journalism podcast, hosted by journalist Sarah
Koenig. The podcast captivated millions of listeners with its real-time investigation and
gripping storytelling about the 1999 murder of Hae Min Lee and the subsequent
conviction of Adnan Syed. Not only did this podcast bring international attention to the
case through merely audio, ultimately leading to Syed's release from prison, but it also
pioneered a new genre of journalism and entertainment, sparking renewed interest in
cold cases and criminal justice reform. Since then, podcasting has rapidly gained
popularity, becoming a mainstream audio medium for news, entertainment, and
education.
Paragraph 3
Who is Listening in?
According to YouGov, an international online research data and analytics technology
group, they analysed 47 global markets to demonstrate where people around the world
regularly listen to podcasts. It was found that, South Africa is home to the highest
proportion of regular podcast listeners of any market surveyed, at 68%. Saudi Arabia is
second overall at 59%, marking a significant increase from previous years. Of all
consumers polled, 40% say they listen to podcasts for more than an hour per week, with
10% listening for more than 10 hours per week.
Paragraph 4
This growing medium has changed how audiences consume content and how
journalists create and share their stories. In a landscape dominated by visual media,
podcasts stand out as a compelling alternative, prioritising in-depth storytelling and
analysis. With no visuals to distract, listeners engage their imaginations, fostering a
deeper connection to the content. Moreover, in an age where trust in traditional media is
often questioned, podcasts offer a sense of authenticity and transparency, allowing
listeners to hear directly from journalists and experts.
Paragraph 5
Adoption by Major Media Outlets
Major publications such as The Guardian, The New York Times, the BBC, and the
Financial Times, have all embraced podcasting, bringing listeners closer to their unique
journalistic styles. Featuring journalists as hosts and guests, the podcasts combine the
personal storytelling of each journalist with insightful analysis, providing an intimate
glimpse into the minds of those who shape our understanding of the world.

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Paragraph 6

6.The Guardian’s "Today in Focus" is a prime example of this trend. Hosted by

journalists Michael Safi and Helen Pidd, the podcast offers a deep dive into a single
story each weekday. Recent episodes have covered topics ranging from climate change
to political scandals.

Section B Text-Based Questions

Question 1
a) Read the first sentence of the first paragraph and identify two obvious features of
human language. 2 Marks
b) Justify how you arrived at each one of the two features identified in 1a) by
referring to the text in your answer. 4 Marks
Question 2
a) Quote the sentence in paragraph 1 that the phrase “the trend” in the first
sentence of Paragraph 2 refers back to. 2 Marks
b) What type of conjunction in the first sentence of paragraph 2 links the first
paragraph to the second paragraph. 2 Marks
c) What word in paragraph 2 is in the possessive case. 1 Mark
Question 3
The Noun Phrase “an international online research data and analytics technology
group” is a good example of a complex noun phrase that can take several modifiers.
a) Identify the head noun in this Noun Phrase. 1 Mark

b) What is the article in the Noun Phrase? 1 Mark

c) List the words that have been used to modify the Head Noun,
6 Marks
d) What function are the words identified in c) performing in the noun phrase?
1 Mark
e) What part of speech do the words listed in 1c) belong to? 1 Mark
Question 4
a) What type of sentence is the first sentence of paragraph 4? 1 Mark
b) Explain your answer in 4a). 2 Marks

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Question 5
What type of Noun is the major publications mentioned in the first sentence of
paragraph 5? 1 Mark

Total 25
Part 1 and Part 2 Total Mark 50

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