COMMUNICATIO
N STUDIES
WITH MISS MONIQUE NEITA
MASTER
ING THE
PAPER 2
EXAM
Ace Your CAPE
Communication Studies Exam!
MODULE 1:
GATHERING,
ORGANIZING AND
PROCESSING
INFORMATION
IDENTIFYING MAIN IDEA, PURPOSE , INTENDED AUDIENCE , LANGUAGE
STRATEGIES AND TECHNIQUES
MODULE 1: FINDING THE MAIN IDEA
The main idea or thesis is the main statement which the passage makes after everything
said has been considered.
Main points are conveyed in two ways:
▪ 1. Explicitly stated or conveyed directly
▪ 2. Inferred or indirectly stated
▪ Explicitly stated main points may be a single sentence or a synthesis of words and phrases
which conveys the overall sense of what is being said.
▪ Inferred main point is a statement of what the writer suggests or implies based on all of what
has been said.
MODULE 1: FINDING THE MAIN
IDEA
Writing About Main Ideas
▪ Main points should not be expressed as purpose statements, so avoid verbs like
“tell, show, emphasize, illustrate, inform or bring across” which suggest purpose.
Instead state the main point as follows:
The main point is that …
MODULE 1 :
WRITING ABOUT PURPOSE
All discourse are aimed at achieving THREE main purposes or a combination of these purposes:
▪ To inform, explain, tell, illustrate, highlight etc.
▪ •To convince, persuade or sway
▪ To entertain, amuse or divert
Identify the dominant purpose in the passage. Use clear verbs to make purpose statements
precise.
A good statement of purpose begins with :
The writer’s purpose is to highlight that…
MODULE 1: CONSIDERING INTENDED
AUDIENCE
When considering intended audience bear the following in mind
▪ The diction – is it simple and can be understood by the average person or complex and may be
understood by a special audience?
▪ The organization – is it organized in a format which helps easy comprehension or is the
organization complex?
▪ The content density – are there a lot of ideas and concepts per sentence or few which makes
comprehension easier?
▪ The dissemination - where is the information posted and who can access it?
MODULE 1: WRITING ABOUT INTENDED
AUDIENCE
When structuring your response about intended audience consider the following:
▪ A poor response would state : The intended audience is the general public. (Too general
with no reason given)
▪ A weak response would state : The intended audience is people who skin bleach or
contemplate skin bleaching.
MODULE 1: WRITING ABOUT
INTENDED AUDIENCE
Good answers should identify the audience and give reasons related to the composition of the
message as to why it is appropriate.
A superior response states:
The intended audience is a general audience of educated persons who have an interest in
the topic of skin bleaching. This is because the language contains a fair amount of jargon
and complex sentences which may not be easily understood by the average person. Also,
there is a fairly high number of ideas or complex concepts per paragraph which may pose
a challenge to easy comprehension for the less educated readers
MODULE 1:
LANGUAGE
STRATEGIES
WHAT ARE LANGUAGE STRATEGIES
AND TECHNIQUES?
▪ Language strategies: refer to ways in which a writer or speaker may organize and present his
use of language with the aim to enhance/ emphasize the effectiveness of his message and make
it (main points, supporting details and thesis) more recognizable.
Language techniques refer to any literary device which a writer or speaker may use to help
achieve his or her purpose for communicating a message and making it more memorable. As a
student of communication studies, it is not enough to simply name the device that is used. You
must go further to explain how the writer’s /speaker’s use of the device(s) help to accomplish
his/her communicative purpose.
LANGUAGE STRATEGIES AND
LANGUAGE TECHNIQUES
▪ Use of cause and effect pattern: This is used to demonstrate the causal relationship between
variables and writers use this pattern to show the degree or extent to which one thing affects
the performance, result or outcome of another.
▪ Historical data or record which presents information about past events and circumstances
relating to a particular occurrence or incident.
▪ Use of Direct quotation(s): This allows the writer to add credibility and authenticity to his
discussion by citing expert opinion, in order to create a certain atmosphere, add emphasis or
supporting evidence to a point being made, ensure precision and accuracy of information via
verbatim account from an individual or source document, and identify titles of articles.
LANGUAGE STRATEGIES
▪ Use of examples or illustrations: These refer to any evidence or reason (facts, statistics,
anecdotes) that is offered to support a point being made. Writers use examples for a variety of
reasons including to clarify ideas in the text, or to give the impression that the evidence
presented on a point is sufficient and even overwhelming. The use of relevant examples helps
he writer to achieve his purpose.
▪ Use of information from authoritative/expert sources: This gives the impression that the
information which the writer presents is well-researched, authentic, verifiable and
corroborated. It increases the logos appeal of the information by making the writer’s point of
view seem more credible since it is supported by scholarship and expert knowledge.
LANGUAGE STRATEGIES
▪ Use of statistical data: This strategy can be used to illustrate changes and trends in the
information presented but it is commonly used to enhance the logos appeal of the information
by giving the impression that it is well-researched, authentic, and verifiable.
▪ Use of testimonial: This involves first person eye witness account and accounts from expert
or authority sources based on their experience and specialized knowledge. Because testimonial
information is based on first-hand knowledge of what one has experienced or known, its use
adds authenticity and validity to information so obtained.
LANGUAGE STRATEGIES
▪ Compare/Contrast
▪ Definition of key terms- used to give an impression or lend credibility
▪ Documentary evidence
▪ Hypophora – question and answer – used to focus the reader on the question and then directs
the attention to the answer the the writer wants his audience to get
▪ Use of counter-argument
▪ Personal experience as a frame for the message
▪ Title of Extract
LANGUAGE TECHNIQUES
▪ Metaphoric language: By this we mean all the various devices and techniques which involve
analogy or comparison between two unrelated or different things to convey meaning. Such
comparisons are used to enhance meaning by making a point more striking and memorable, to
offer clarity to an illustration, and help the reader/listener to view a familiar concept in a new
way.
▪ Loaded words
▪ Jargon
▪ Irony
▪ Pun
▪ Hyperbole (deliberate exaggeration)
▪ Use of conversational tone - Used to allows the reader to relate to the writer’s
perspective . Also used to give the impression that the writer is speaking directly to the reader
▪ Use of First-Person Point-of-view-
▪ To elicit (produce) a conversational tone
▪ To make it more inviting for readers to respond
▪ To give the impression of speaking directly to readers/
▪ Invite dialogue
▪ To show that the issue is of personal interest and applicable to everyone
▪ To highlight the importance of the message
▪ To show that the actions outlined can be effectively carried out
2022 CAPE
COMMUNICATION
STUDIES SAMPLE
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