Berlin Abitur English (3rd subject / GK) key terms

The systematic examination of a text's content, structure, language and intended effect, usually written as a structured essay that moves from introduction and main part to conclusion and cites evidence from the text.

The typical features that identify a text type, such as layout, register, tense use and communicative purpose, for example the headline and inverted-pyramid structure of a news article versus the direct address of a speech.

The viewpoint from which a narrative is told, for example a first-person narrator inside the story, an omniscient third-person narrator, or a limited perspective that shows only one character's thoughts and perceptions.

The instance that tells a story, which is not identical with the author; analysing whether the narrator is reliable, involved in the action or distant from it is a standard step in interpreting fiction.

The description and interpretation of a literary character, distinguishing direct characterisation, where traits are stated, from indirect characterisation through actions, speech, appearance and the reactions of other characters.

Deliberate stylistic devices such as metaphor, anaphora, rhetorical question, alliteration or hyperbole, used to persuade or to create emphasis; in an analysis you must name the device, quote it and explain its function.

The way a non-fictional text builds its case, including thesis, supporting arguments, evidence, counter-arguments and conclusion; identifying this structure is central to analysing speeches, editorials and opinion pieces.

The central claim a text or speaker advances and then supports with arguments; distinguishing it from supporting evidence is a frequent requirement in comprehension tasks and in writing your own argumentative essay.

The conventions for quoting a source correctly, including line numbers, quotation marks, integration into your own sentence and marking omissions, which examiners assess as part of accurate and coherent writing.

Restating a passage in your own words while keeping its meaning, a standard way to show comprehension without copying the original and a required skill in summary and mediation tasks.

A short, objective account of a text's main points in your own words, usually written in the present tense, without personal opinion and without examples or details that are not essential to the argument.

A reasoned personal position on an issue, in which you state your view, support it with arguments and examples, acknowledge counter-positions and reach a conclusion; it must go beyond mere opinion.

A formal discursive essay that weighs arguments for and against a question and arrives at a justified conclusion, typically structured as introduction, main part with balanced arguments and a rounded-off ending.

The ability to extract information from spoken English, ranging from global understanding of the gist to selective listening for specific details, often tested with recordings played twice and note-taking allowed.

Listening to grasp the overall meaning and purpose of a recording without understanding every word, a strategy for first listening passes and for tasks that ask about topic, speaker intention or mood.

Listening selectively to catch specific facts such as numbers, names, times or reasons, which requires predicting what information is needed before the recording starts and ignoring irrelevant passages.

Recording key words, abbreviations and symbols while listening so that answers can be completed afterwards; effective notes capture content words and structure rather than full sentences.

A word that looks similar in German and English but differs in meaning, such as 'gift' (present, not poison) or 'bekommen' versus 'become', a common source of errors in translation and free writing.

A habitual word partnership that native speakers expect, such as 'make a decision' rather than 'do a decision'; using correct collocations is a marker of advanced lexical control in writing and speaking.

The level of formality and style appropriate to a situation, ranging from informal colloquial English to formal academic prose; choosing the wrong register weakens an otherwise correct text.

Connecting words and phrases such as 'however', 'moreover', 'whereas' or 'as a result' that signal logical relations between sentences and paragraphs and make an argument easy to follow.

The logical connectedness of a text, achieved through linking words, consistent reference to previously mentioned ideas and a clear line of thought from paragraph to paragraph.

The English verb forms that locate actions in time; in analysis essays the present tense is standard, while reported speech and references to earlier events require past or perfect forms.

The -ing form of a verb used as a noun, as in 'Reading improves vocabulary'; knowing which verbs and prepositions take a gerund rather than an infinitive prevents frequent errors.

Ready-made functional phrases for specific purposes, such as introducing an argument, disagreeing politely, structuring a presentation or asking for clarification; they support fluent and appropriate production.

Expressions for taking turns, agreeing, disagreeing, interrupting politely and summarising in a conversation, essential for the group or pair discussion part of the oral examination.

The oral examination component, typically a short individual presentation or monologue followed by a discussion with the examiner or a partner, assessed for fluency, accuracy, range and interaction.

Transferring meaning between German and English, for example summarising a German source for an English-speaking reader, which requires conveying content accurately rather than translating word for word.

An exam task in which you relay information from a German text, email or notice into English for a defined reader and purpose, choosing an appropriate register and omitting irrelevant detail.

Knowledge of the history, politics, society and culture of English-speaking countries, including institutions such as the UK Parliament or the US electoral system, used to contextualise texts and topics.

The academic study of cultural products and practices, including media, identity, popular culture and values, which supplies background knowledge for interpreting texts about English-speaking societies.

A recurring topic covering migration, diversity and integration in the United Kingdom, including concepts such as Commonwealth migration, multiculturalism and debates about British identity.

How individuals and groups define themselves through nationality, ethnicity, language, gender or class; a frequent theme in exam texts and a useful analytical lens for both fiction and non-fiction.

The growing interconnection of economies, cultures and communication worldwide, often examined through texts on trade, migration, media or language spread and linked to questions of fairness and cultural loss.

The ability to access, analyse and evaluate media messages critically, including recognising bias, distinguishing news from opinion and understanding how platforms shape what audiences see.

The instruction verbs in exam tasks, such as 'describe', 'analyse', 'compare' or 'evaluate', each requiring a specific kind of response; misreading them is a common cause of lost marks.

A brief plan of the points you intend to cover, written before drafting an essay or structuring a presentation to ensure logical order and complete coverage of the task.

The surface-level linking of sentences through pronouns, conjunctions and repeated key words, which together with coherence makes a text read smoothly and convincingly.