GCSE: Reading Comprehension and Critical Reading

GCSE: Reading Comprehension and Critical Reading

1. Literal and inferential comprehension

   • understand word, phrase, or sentence, in context
   • explore aspects of plot, characterisation, events and settings
   • distinguish between what is stated explicitly and what is implied
   • explain motivation, sequence of events, and the relationship between actions or events

2. Critical reading

   • identify the theme and distinguishing between themes
   • support a point of view by referring to evidence in the text
   • recognise the possibility of and evaluate different responses to a text
   • use understanding of writers’ social, historical and cultural contexts to inform evaluation
   • make an informed personal response that derives from analysis and evaluation of the text

3. Evaluation of a writer’s choice of vocabulary, grammatical and structural features

   • analyse and evaluate how language (including figurative language), structure, form and presentation contribute to quality and impact
   • use linguistic and literary terminology for such evaluation
     • phrase
     • metaphor
     • meter
     • irony and persona
     • synechdoche
     • pathetic fallacy

4. Compare and contrast texts in relation to:

   • theme
   • characterisation
   • context
   • style
   • literary quality