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Analysis of message questions

Depth study

Source A 1960s UK magazine advertisement

Many teachers encourage students to approach analysis of message questions by instructing them to write first about the content of the source and then about the message they believe it represents. This is to ensure that students refer to the content and detail of the source rather than just writing general statements regarding the message of the source with no actual reference to the source. Answers without specific reference to the sources can only score at the lowest levels.

However, by breaking their answers into two sections students often spend too much time describing the source with the result that they have to cut short, or leave out entirely, discussion of the message using context and analysis. A better approach is to aim to write two or three short paragraphs, each of which discusses a possible message and purpose of the source. Within each paragraph you should ensure that you have supported your analysis of message with detail from the source.

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Previous

How important are the leaders of terrorist groups?

Next

McCarthyism