Interpret

Im Englisch-Abi wird die Aufgabenstellung Interpret wiederholt auftreten. In der Regel muss eine eine Karikatur und hin und wieder eine Textpassage interpretiert werden.

Folgende Schritte müssen beim Schreiben einer Interpretation beachtet werden:

Einleitung:

Textsorte, Titel, Autor, Erscheinungsjahr
Kontext des Textes vorstellen / Karikatur beschreiben
Thesis als Statement präsentieren.

Hauptteil:

Text kurz zusammenfassen
$\rightarrow$ What is the text about?
$\rightarrow$ content structure (e.g. character constellation; exposition/setting/atmosphere; climax; argumentation/conclusion; point of view)
Wie trägt die Interpretation zum Gesamtverständnis des Textes bei?
Verwenden Sie Zitate und Beispiele aus dem Text, um Ihre Aussagen zu unterstützen.

Analyse

Analyse der sprachlichen Mittel, Stilistik, Charaktere, Handlung oder anderer relevanter Elemente des Textes sollte durchgeführt werden
Es sollten auch mögliche symbolische oder metaphorische Bedeutungen berücksichtigt werden

$\rightarrow$

What is the author’s choice of words?
$\rightarrow$ What style/register/sentence structure does the author use?
$\rightarrow$ Are there any sense devices, syntactical devices, sound devices, visual effects?
$\rightarrow$ What is their function? What do they serve to underline?
$\rightarrow$ What is their effect?

Bewertung
- Wird durch die Textwahl sowie die Wort- und Strukturwahl die intendierte Wirkung erzielt?
  $\rightarrow$ What effects does the text have on the reader/audience?
  $\rightarrow$ Do the structure and the contents of the text coincide?
  $\rightarrow$ Do the structure and language of the text support the author´s intention/help to carry across the author´s view?

Schlussfolgerung:

Zusammenfassung der wichtigsten Punkte.
Betonung der Gesamtaussage Ihrer Interpretation.
Denken Sie daran, dass dies nur eine allgemeine Struktur ist, und je nach den Anforderungen Ihrer Aufgabe kann eine Anpassung erforderlich sein.

Beispiel

Diese Aufgabenstellung wird häufig im Abi verwendet:

Interpret the cartoon and comment on its message.

Biden's big job

source: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorial_cartoon/2021
/01/21/theo-moudakis-bidens-big-job.html; accessed May 16, 2022

Beispiellösung

the cartoon "Biden's big job" was published on thestar in 2021 and refers to the great work he now has to do as President-in-Office in rebuilding America
the cartoon shows the figure of a man with grey hair who is supposed to represent Biden with a speech bubble saying "this won't be easy"
Biden holds a bucket that has "Ready Mix Cement" written on it and a spatula in his hand
in front of Biden's figure lays the statue of liberty cut up into pieces and heaped up

Introduction
Description of the cartoon
(Künstler geht nicht hervor)

the title of the cartoon "Biden's big job" and Biden's statement "this won't be easy" indicate that he will have to pick up the "shambles" of his predecessor Trump (pieces of statue of liberty had straight fractures and suggest that it was brought about by the named predecessor)
Trump, who has led the country into deep disruption and divided it with his controversial domestic policies e.g. immigration restrictions and racial decision that suppresses the fundamental rights of various ethnic groups
this is illustrated by the destruction of the country's symbol of freedom; a country which used to be characterized by its diversity and immigration, and a land of unlimited opportunities that was a beacon of hope for many
he therefore attacked the Capitol as a sign of radical questioning of democratic institutions

the statue's face, torch, and board are still intact, representing the values of freedom, independence, life, and the pursuit of happiness
this means that despite Trump's attempt to shake the U.S. to its foundations, these values still hold the country together and reflect the enduring faith
Biden stands all by himself in the left-hand corner and is rather small and fragile looking portrayed with a bucket full of ready mix cement
by his portrayal and rather inappropriate attire for the job, the cartoonist suggests that he doubts whether Biden is fit to rebuild America
Biden's real-life statement in the speech bubble, however, shows that he has respect for the job and is aware of him facing challenges in the process
the fact that the country needs a rebuild highlights the dramatic and long-lasting effects of Trump's policies

the rather small size of the bucket full of cement signals that the cartoonist believes that the given amount of cement is not capable of repairing the destroyed Statue of Liberty in its entirety
that despite Biden's best efforts, the country will always suffer and never fully heal from the deep division Trump's drastic policies have caused

Main Body
Interpretation

it can be noted that despite all doubts, that the new president Biden represents a glimmer of hope for the country, reversing some of Trump's most controversial decisions through his swift actions, signaling a change to and in the American society
it will probably take some time for the deep wounds left by Trump to heal, but there can be no absolutist assumption that this is impossible
it must be realistically stated, however, that the changes will take some time

Comment

all in all can be summarized that the cartoonist's doubts are well-founded, and it remains to be seen whether Biden's policies will succeed in reuniting a divided America
President Biden, however, is a beacon of hope for many Americans, and even though the country has been shaken to its foundations, shared values like the drive for freedom and the pursuit of happiness are the basis for a reunited America persist despite Trump's attempt to change it.

Conclusion