Subject: English First Additional Language (FAL) Grade: 11 Focus: Literature Analysis, Advanced Writing, and Critical Language Awareness
Introduction
Grade 11 English FAL bridges the gap between the basics of Grade 10 and the final exams of Grade 12. You will deal with more complex themes in literature and be expected to write more sophisticated essays.
This guide breaks down the Via Afrika Study Guide to help you master the curriculum.
1. The 4 Main Sections
A. Listening & Speaking (Section 1)
This section is about communicating effectively.
- Listening: You need to listen for bias and prejudice. Can you identify the speaker’s attitude?
- Speaking:
- Prepared Speech: Focus on structure (Introduction, Body, Conclusion) and delivery (eye contact, pace, volume).
- Unprepared Speech: Practice thinking on your feet. Use the “PREP” method: Point, Reason, Example, Point.
B. Reading & Viewing (Section 2)
This prepares you for Papers 1 and 2.
- Literary Texts (Paper 2):
- Novel/Drama: You must move beyond just “what happened” (plot) to “why it happened” (theme and character motivation).
- Poetry: Analyze sound devices (Assonance, Consonance) and imagery (Metaphor, Personification).
- Non-Literary Texts (Paper 1):
- Critical Language Awareness: This is key in Grade 11. Can you spot emotive language, persuasive techniques, and stereotypes in a text?
- Visual Literacy:
- Cartoons: Analyze satire and irony. What is the cartoonist criticizing?
- Advertising: Look for the “hidden message”. How does the layout and font choice influence the reader?
C. Writing & Presenting (Section 3)
This is Paper 3. The length requirements increase in Grade 11.
- Essays (200-250 words):
- Discursive Essay: Present both sides of an argument neutrally.
- Argumentative Essay: Pick a side and fight for it.
- Reflective Essay: Write about your personal feelings and growth.
- Longer Transactional Texts (120-150 words):
- Formal Letters: Know the difference between a letter of complaint and a letter of application.
- Reports: Use formal, objective language.
- Shorter Transactional Texts (80-100 words):
- Diary Entries: First-person (“I”), informal but structured.
- Instructions: Use command verbs (imperative mood).
D. Language Structures & Conventions (Section 4)
This is the “Grammar” in Paper 1.
- Active/Passive Voice: Crucial for formal writing.
- Direct/Indirect Speech: Remember to change pronouns (I -> he) and time words (now -> then).
- Concord: Subject-Verb agreement (He runs, They run).
- Tenses: Perfect tenses (Have eaten, Had eaten) become more important.
2. Exam Breakdown
Paper 1: Language in Context (2 Hours – 80 Marks)
- Section A: Comprehension (30 marks)
- Section B: Summary (10 marks)
- Section C: Language Structures (40 marks)
Paper 2: Literature (2.5 Hours – 70 Marks)
- Section A: Novel OR Drama (Contextual + Essay questions)
- Section B: Short Stories (Contextual questions)
- Section C: Poetry (Contextual questions)
Paper 3: Writing (2.5 Hours – 100 Marks)
- Section A: Essay (50 marks)
- Section B: Longer Transactional Text (30 marks)
- Section C: Shorter Transactional Text (20 marks)
3. Study Tips for Distinction
Tip 1: The “Literature Essay”
In Paper 2, you may have a choice to write a literature essay.
- Structure: Introduction (Thesis statement), Body Paragraphs (PEEL method: Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link), Conclusion.
- Quotes: Memorize short, powerful quotes to support your arguments.
Tip 2: Comprehension Skills
- Own Words: When a question asks for “your own words”, never quote from the text.
- Mark Allocation: If a question is worth 2 marks, you usually need to make one point and explain it, or make two distinct points.
Tip 3: Editing Skills
In Paper 1 (Section C), you will be asked to correct errors in a text. Practice identifying:
- Spelling mistakes (commonly confused words).
- Punctuation errors (apostrophes are a favorite).
- Grammar errors (tense consistency).
Conclusion
Grade 11 is about refining your skills. Read as much as you can—newspapers, blogs, novels. The more you read, the better your vocabulary and sentence structure will become.
Good luck!