As we start with the Voices in Speech and Writing: Anthology in September, we would like you to read and analyse the first two article texts by Ian Birrell and Charlie Brooker.

We would also like you to write a response to the two tasks. These should get you thinking analytically about the articles and some of the core concepts of this section of the course.

Task 1 (Compulsory)

A: Please, read two articles (by Charlie Brooker and Ian Birrell) below.

English Language and Literature Summer Task download

B: Write your answer (250-300 words) in response to each of the following questions:

1. Compare how Brooker and Birrell use language to create a sense of voice (or personality) in the articles to fit the purpose of the text.
2. Compare the ways Booker and Birrell use the conventions of the article genre to appeal to their readers and achieve the purpose of their respective texts.

In your answer, you should:

• Show that you have engaged with both the text and the question by offering a coherent argument. Your argument should be outlined in the introduction, where you establish your viewpoint; supported with specific examples from the text; and ended with a conclusion that makes a final judgement about how successfully the writer has created a ‘voice’ and how appropriate this voice is for the purpose of the text;
• Comment on the writer’s methods, including the form of the text, and the writer’s language and structural choices, thinking particularly about how these methods succeed in creating a sense of voice;
• Adopt an appropriate tone for an English essay.

We will be looking for a high level of accurate written expression in your response.

Useful links to the authors' pages:

https://www.theguardian.com/profile/charliebrooker
https://inews.co.uk/author/ian-birrell

Task 2 (Optional)

Please, do some research into the life and work of Oscar Wilde. Find out about why he wrote De Profundis (1905). Why do you think this might be an interesting text today?

You can read the extract from De Profundis in the attached Summer Task document.

Write your answer, around 300 words in total, in response to the task above.

Useful link:  https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00qqq67

 

*The work must be your own: you ARE NOT ALLOWED to use AI to help you construct your response as we need to assess YOUR ability to articulate YOUR ideas and demonstrate YOUR analytical skills.

*Please submit the task to your teacher on the first lesson in September.  Feel free to do multiple summer tasks if you are unsure on what subjects to study.