what is paper 2 english language

AQA GCSE English Language Paper 2 – Revision Guide

Welcome to the complete revision guide for AQA GCSE English Language paper 2. Keep reading for our top tips and advice on each question, as we break down the English Language paper 2. Find out what to expect from each question, how to revise effectively and how to get top marks. 

To revise effectively for GCSE English Language you do need to set aside plenty of revision time. Our tutors always hear students say that they don’t need to – or even can’t – revise for English Language. That’s all wrong. You must   revise for the subject, you just need to know how. 

You should focus on:

• understanding how each of the papers is structured; 
• knowing what the examiner is looking for on each question; and
• doing lots of practice questions and marking your own work to improve quickly. 

You can also find our guide to AQA GCSE English Language Paper 1 here .

Alongside our revision guides, our team of top English tutors provide one-to-one lessons designed specifically to help you succeed in the exams. Contact us directly to book your first lesson. 

Overview of the paper

AQA GCSE English Language paper 2 explores non-fiction writers’ viewpoints and perspectives. Section A consists of 4 questions, in which you’ll analyse two linked sources across different time periods and genres. Section B consists of a single big question where you will write your own text for a specified audience, purpose and form. Here you’ll provide your own perspective on a task related to the theme that was introduced in section A. 

There is 1 hour 45 minutes to complete the paper. There are 80 marks at stake, making up 50% of your GCSE English Language qualification. 

AQA English Language Paper 2 Section A

Read the sources carefully – spend 15 mins here.

Make sure you spend the first 10-15 minutes of the exam carefully reading the sources. You should: 

• read the texts carefully and thoroughly;
• read the questions; and
• highlight important parts of the sources for use later. 

Question 1 – select 4 true statements – spend 5 mins here

The first question should be fairly straightforward but do ensure you take a few minutes to think it through carefully. You’ll be asked to focus on a small part of source A and select four true statements from a selection of eight. Be a little careful here because there will be some statements that you think could possibly be true, but you should be able to point to where you’re told this in the text for it to be true. That will confirm your choice. 

Things to remember on this question: 

• focus only on the specific section of source A; 
• pinpoint where in the text the writer tells you each of your choices; and
• don’t spend more than 5 minutes here. 

Question 2 – summary of differences or similarities – spend 10 mins here

For question 2 you need to refer to both source A and B. The question is out of 8 marks. You’ll be asked to write a summary of the differences or similarities between something/ someone in source A and something/ someone in source B. You don’t need to worry about analysing language or structure here, simply identify 3-4 differences or similarities (focused on what is in your specific question). Summarise each of the differences in turn, with quotations, and explore perceptive inferences from both texts. Inferences are not explicitly said, they are the extra layers of understanding that are suggested by the writer and which you pick up  from “reading between the lines”. To get top marks you need to examine what the writers imply about the issue.  

Things to remember for this question: 

• you do  not  need to analyse any language or structure here;
• focus on explaining perceptive inferences from both texts to explain the key differences or similarities; and
• cover three or four points with quotations. 

Question 3 – the writer’s use of language to describe something – spend 12 mins here

There are 12 marks up for grabs here. You will always be asked, ‘how does the writer use language to describe…’ followed by something specific from part of one source. You need to analyse the effects of the writer’s choice of language. Make around four points and explore them using good quotations and sophisticated use of subject terminology. The language features you pick out could include things like: metaphors, similes, alliteration, onomatopoeia, personification, sentence forms and the use of specific types of words or phrases. 

• focus on analysing the effects of the writer’s choice of language; 
• use accurate subject terminology by identifying specific language techniques; and
• cover four points with excellent quotations. 

Question 4 – comparing different perspectives – spend 18 mins here

Question 4 is a bigger, extended question with 16 marks at stake. As such, the examiner is expecting more from you. The question will always ask you to “compare how the writers convey their different perspectives/attitudes about…” something specific to the sources. You need to perceptively compare their different perspectives or attitudes, and most importantly,  compare the methods the writers use  to convey their different perspectives or attitudes. Everything is in scope here, so you can analyse any methods, including both language and structure. Aim to write about four good comparison points. These four paragraphs will cover both sources (in order to compare them properly) and they’ll be more developed than in the earlier questions. 

• keep focused on the specific task in the question;
• analyse the methods used by the writers to convey their attitudes to the topic; and
• consider both language and structure. 

AQA GCSE English Language Paper 2 Section B

Question 5 – writing to present a viewpoint – spend 45 mins here.

Question 5 provides your opportunity to show the examiner how you can write effectively to explain your point of view on a specific issue. There are a whopping 40 marks up for grabs here, so make sure you spend the full 45 mins doing this question. You’ll be given a statement on an issue related to those discussed in section A. Your task will be to write in a specific form, for a specific audience, to present your point of view on the issue. You might be asked to write a newspaper article, letter or speech, amongst other forms. The marks are allocated specifically, with 24 marks available for content and organisation and 16 marks for technical accuracy (spelling, punctuation and grammar). 

To do well in this question we recommend spending the first 5 minutes thinking deeply about the task and planning your answer. This plan will ensure your answer has a good, consistent argument and structure. When writing, make sure your style and use of language reflects the form and audience of the task. Use ambitious vocabulary, language techniques and structural features to really demonstrate what you can do. You should, of course, always ensure your spelling, punctuation and grammar are spot on. Leave a couple of minutes at the end to double check your technical accuracy. 

• match your style of writing to the purpose and audience of the task; 
• plan your answer first;
• leave the full 45 minutes to complete the task fully; and
• use ambitious vocabulary, language and structural features to present your viewpoint and really show the examiner what you can do. 

Now Keep revising for your AQA GCSE English Language Paper 2

The key thing after reading this guide is to practise. Do as many past papers and practice questions as you can. Mark your own work and try answering the questions again focusing on areas to develop. You can find all of the past AQA papers here . For fully personalised advice and support, why not try a lesson with one of our online GCSE English experts? Simply drop us a quick message and we’ll arrange your free tutoring consultation. 

IB English Paper 2 Explained

Free introductory guide to IB English Paper 2 by IB45 and IB7 graduates.

This guide will explain IB English Paper 2 and what you need to ace the exam come May or November, when the IB Gods throw you this (seemingly) insurmountable task.

If you don't know all about Paper 1 already, do check out LitLearn's amazing guide  for IB English Paper 1. Paper 1 is all about on-the-spot thinking and  adrenaline-pumping analysis . What about Paper 2?

Well, IB English Paper 2 is  all of those things , plus extensive preparation . But don't fret! I survived Paper 2, and so have many others before you. All you need is a couple sprinkles of guidance from a seasoned Paper 2 veteran (ahem).

Meet your instructor Jackson Huang, Founder of LitLearn. His mission is to make IB English as pain-free as possible with fun, practical lessons. Jackson scored an IB45 and was accepted to Harvard, Amherst, Williams Colleges, and full scholarships to University of Melbourne & Queensland.

What is IB English Paper 2?

You're in the exam room. You stare at the page and wipe the sweat from your forehead and try to focus on the words on the page:

"We are all prisoners of ourselves.” Discuss how the sense of imprisonment shapes the meaning and the effect on the audience of at least two texts you have studied."

A Paper 2 exam consists of four of these prompts. From these options, you choose one prompt and write a 1000 to 1300-word essay on it.

How long do you get? 1 hour 45 minutes for both Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL) students.

In these 1000 to 1300 words, your task is to write a comparative essay , which — you guessed it — means comparing similarities and contrasting differences between the texts you've studied in class for Paper 2 (i.e., poems, novels, plays or short stories) .

Now that you understand what a Paper 2 essay involves, let's jump into how to properly answer one of these IB English Paper 2 prompts.

How to answer a Paper 2 Question

Let's stick with the above example about the theme of “imprisonment”.

First, see that philosophical quote at the start of the prompt? It's there to spark ideas, to get the juices flowing in your brain. You don't have to refer to it directly unless the questions explicitly asks you to do so. So the take-away message here is to not be ‘imprisoned' by the philosophical quotes at the start of the prompts.

Second, notice the command term “discuss”. This is usually replaced by words like “evaluate”, “analyse”, “examine”. Don't worry about it too much : it doesn't mean anything too important, because at the end of the day you still have to analyse, you still have to compare, and you still have to contrast.

The key of the prompt

The part after the command term is the most important part of the prompt:

"[…] how the sense of imprisonment shapes the meaning and the effect on the audience […]"

Here the “sense of imprisonment” — the key of the prompt — tells us exactly what we need to write about in the essay.

Can you find the key in this next prompt?

"Compare and contrast the effectiveness of the use of irony in two or more texts you have studied."

Notice the command term “compare and contrast” and the important part after it. The key of this prompt is “ the use of irony “.

Get comfy with morphing stuff

More often than not, our texts do not contain anything explicitly related to the prompt's key, say, the theme of “imprisonment”.

Pay attention to this next paragraph…

The secret to scoring a 7 in IB English Paper 2 is to get very comfortable with bending, morphing and twisting your texts and/or the prompt so that they are as compatible with each other as possible.

There are two ways that this can be achieved:

1. Morphing existing ideas in your own texts to fit the prompt

While Jane Sherwood's (some random character) nostalgia in your Incredible Text 1 may not directly relate to “imprisonment”, you could twist the character's nostalgia into the idea that emotions can trap or “imprison” an individual in a treasured memory or a past experience.

Nostalgia and imprisonment seem like unlikely brothers at first, but with a bit of justification they look almost like identical twins.

2. Redefining the prompt (reasonably)

The key of the prompt can often be vague . For example, there was a real IB exam prompt that asked whether “male characters were more interesting than female characters.” What does “interesting” even mean?

The IB Gods are inviting you to constrain the topic in a way that works for your texts specifically. You could write in the first sentence of your introduction:

"Interest, an important part of dramatic works, is often generated by emotional conflict and the subsequent creation of tension." "

Here I have restricted the broad topic of “interesting” to the more clearly-defined topic of “emotional conflict” because this redefinition works well for the texts I've studied for IB English Paper 2. You should do the same.

In reality, you have to morph both your texts and the prompt in order to reach a snug fit between the two. Getting to this point, which all happens during the planning stage, is the most difficult part of the Paper 2 process because it requires you to know your texts so well that you can apply the ideas in your texts to different situations.

How many texts to compare and contrast?

Before we continue with this introductory guide, we need to address the age-old question of how many texts should we compare and contrast in an IB English Paper 2 comparative essay?

In the old syllabus, you had the choice to compare and contrast up to three texts.

Luckily, in the new syllabus (First assessment 2021), you don't have to make a choice: the IB requires you to compare and contrast just two texts . One less decision for you to make!

However, you are still recommended to prepare three texts, so that you have 3 possible combinations of texts to answer your prompts (Texts 1 & 2, Texts 1 & 3 and Texts 2 & 3).

Now that we agree on how many texts to compare and contrast, let's see how we can make the texts work together.

Choosing the best points across your two texts

There's an easy way, and there's a hard way.

If you want a score of 5 or below , you can simply think of two points to answer the prompt for Text 1 and two other points to answer the prompt for Text 2. Then, slap them together into different paragraphs, regurgitate some shallow comparison and contrast, and call it a comparative essay. That doesn't sound very sophisticated, does it?

On the other hand, if you want a score of 6 or 7 , you'll need to use a lot more brainpower and insight. The points that you choose for your two texts are very important, in terms of how the points relate to each other and to the prompt. The points need to have enough overlaps that similarities can be analysed, but not too much similarity because you also want to contrast differences.

What ends up happening is you enter an algorithm — a set of steps, sort of like a recipe — where you repeatedly attempt to find good points for the prompt, gradually morphing them while re-defining the prompt itself, until you reach a good plan for your Paper 2 essay.

What does a good plan generally look like?

• Your re-defined prompt has not strayed far, or at all, from the original prompt.
• The points for Text 1 fit well with the prompt.
• The points for Text 2 fit well with the prompt as well as the points your chose for Text 1.

The million dollar question is: How do we get to this optimum stage where the prompts and the texts and married so harmoniously ? The answer is brainstorming.

In these Pro lessons from our study guide, we go into detail about the exact strategies for brainstorming for Paper 2 under exam conditions, choosing the right Paper 2 essay structure, and writing a strong Paper 2 thesis.

Pro members only

How to best prepare for Paper 2

We've talked a lot about the skills and questions necessary to tackle an IB English Paper 2 prompt, but all of that happens during the exam itself. What can we do before Paper 2 to put ourselves in the best position?

• (Really) understanding your text
• Choosing great quotes for your Paper 2 (covered in a later lesson )
• Practice past Paper 2 exams

Let's go through Steps 1 and 3.

Understanding your text

IB English Paper 2 tests skills that require a deep understanding . First, to compare and contrast effectively, you need to know your texts well enough that you can find similarities and differences in the micro-details and in the macro themes, in the characters and in the techniques. Second, in order to adapt the ideas in your text to the prompt , you need to know how far you can stretch those ideas while maintaining their validity.

Without a deep understanding, you're dead in the water.

In our Paper 2 Preparation guide, we tell you exactly how to prepare your Paper 2 knowledge and notes, down to the specific questions you should be able to answer. The preparation is organized into Level 1 to Level 4 to give you a structured study roadmap for Paper 2. That way you don't get overwhelmed.

No sign up or credit card required.

Practising Past Paper 2s

The most challenging part of Paper 2 is bringing together three aspects:

• The quotes you've memorised
• Your analysis skills
• Your ability to adapt the quotes and ideas to a new prompt that you've never, ever encountered before

Grabbing that 7 in IB English Paper 2 requires that you are solid on all three fronts . You cannot just practice each of these aspects individually. Practising to plan and write Paper 2 responses ensures that you practise this core trifecta of skills together, all at once.

Practising past Paper 2s was the core of my IB English Paper 2 preparation schedule. It helped me to memorise quotes, learn which quotes are better than others, and learn certain pairs of themes, characters and techniques that work well in my texts for comparison and contrast.

By practising Paper 2s extensively, you increase your awareness of what works (and what doesn't) for your texts. Hence, the main thing you have to worry about on the day of your exam is the prompt itself--the only variable that you cannot control.

In the Paper 2 study guide, we have an exemplar IB English Paper 2 essay from a past exam: See the exemplar essay .

Question​bank

Paper 1 Practice Exams

Past Paper 1 Solutions

Paper 2 Guide

From Struggling to Succeeding in IB English

How IB English students like you have improved their grades with LitLearn Pro... Read the reviews.

IB4 to IB6 in 12 days " LitLearn helped me understand exactly what I was doing wrong and how to improve upon those mistakes. " Read the full review

IB6 to IB7 in 1 week " I ended with a 7 in English Literature HL and I am so happy about that. Thank you Jackson. " Read the full review

IB5 to Perfect 20/20 in 1 week " I managed to be the only person in my IB cohort of 120 students to get a perfect score of 20/20 " Read the full review

IB4 to IB6 in 2 weeks " The lessons are really effective in grabbing my attention and making English more fun to learn. "

IB4 to IB6 in 1 day " With just day 1 of the course, I improved immediately and overnight when I did a practice essay and improved by 4 marks from my previous grades " Read the full review

IB5 to IB7 " I got 5s since my first year of DP and now my final grade is 7! I can't thank you enough 🙂 LitLearn is truly a lifesaver. "

Not ready to sign up yet? Free

No email signup required. Access these lessons now.

Learn Analysis

The 3 basic principles essential to IB English analysis

Learn how to analyze diction for IB English

Learn how to analyze modality & imperative language for IB English

Questionbank

Try Question 7 from the Analysis Questionbank

Try Question 23 from the Analysis Questionbank

Free introductory guide to the Paper 1 guided analysis exam

The 3 ingredients you're not including in your thesis

Free introductory guide to the Paper 2 comparative analysis exam

Covers the levels of knowledge crucial to Paper 2 preparation

Individual Oral

Free introductory guide to the Individual Oral assessment

Helpful list of global issue starters to kickstart your imagination.

Higher Level Essay

Free introductory guide to the HLE assessment

Beyond GCSE Revision

Gcse-grade revision from beyond, powered by twinkl, aqa english language paper 2 revision.

Is it that time of year again? Worry not! Beyond is here to provide stage-by-stage English Language Paper 2 revision, sharing a range of hints and tips that’ll see students triumph in their exams. Our dedicated Paper 2 blog goes into great detail across each section of the exam, including:

AQA English Language Paper 2 Breakdown

• Reading source A and B
• Answering question 1
• Answering question 2
• Answering question 3
• Answering question 4
• Answering question 5
• Tips and tricks

AQA English Language Paper 2 revision resources

If you’re looking for even more hints and tips, check out our revision guides below:

English Language Paper 2 Digital Micro Mocks

It’s always a good idea to ensure you have a proper grasp of each aspect of the exam you’re revising for! Getting a handle on the available marks and suggested timings is a great way to make sure you don’t pour all of your effort into the first question, run out of time and end up 40 marks short overall!

Below is the AQA English Language Paper 2 breakdown, which highlights each section of the exam, its corresponding marks and how long we suggest you spend on it.

Reading Source A and B

• Suggested time spent : 8 minutes per reading source, 16 minutes overall

What do I need to do?

Read the non-fiction texts provided. You will need to read, analyse and compare these texts in this exam. These texst will be a 20 th or 21 st century piece of non-fiction writing and can be any one of the following:

• Autobiography
• Newspaper article
• Series of letters
• Don’t skim through the text first time round – make sure you read it carefully.
• If there are any words or phrases you don’t understand, try to use their context in the writing to work out their meaning.
• Remember that you can write on the text as you go through the questions. This is your exam paper! Scribble until your heart’s content!

English Language Reading Paper 2: Question 1

• Worth : 4 marks
• Suggested time spent : 5 minutes
• Assessed via : AO1
• Identify and interpret explicit and implicit information and ideas . Select and synthesise evidence from different texts

Look at Source A only. Choose four statements that are true from a list of eight. The information you are given may be surface meaning (such as a fact) or implied meaning (such as a suggestion or hint). You must choose a maximum of four statements.

• Read through the statements carefully and tick off any you are certain of straightaway.
• This is a four-mark question, so don’t spend a long time on it.
• Look carefully at the choices of statement. Which can you rule out straight away? Read the text carefully for implied meaning.
• Use the line references to get to the appropriate piece of text quickly.
• Make sure you take your information from the text – don’t attempt to answer from memory!

English Language Reading Paper 2: Question 2

• Worth: 8 marks
• Suggested time spent: 10 minutes
• Assessed via: AO1

Look at both Source A and Source B. Using details from each, write a summary about the similarities or differences in the text.

• Read the question carefully – you will be asked to summarise one thing in particular
• This is a summary and so should be in your own words
• Make sure you talk about both texts
• Sample question 2 answers can be found here

English Language Reading Paper 2: Question 3

• Worth: 12 marks
• Suggested time spent: 12 minutes
• Assessed via: AO2
• Explain, comment on and analyse how writers use language and structure to achieve effects and influence readers, using relevant subject terminology to support their views

Analyse how the writer uses words, phrases, language features and sentence forms to create particular effects, within the whole text. You will need to quote from the text directly and you will need to explain how the quotations you have chosen make your points.

• Make sure you refer to language in your answer – you can’t get high marks if you don’t reference this carefully
• Highlight the text words or phrases you think you may use in your answer
• Remember to use short, precise quotations from the text
• It’s not enough to just identify the techniques being used – you must explain how they are effective
• Sample question 3 answers can be found here

The following phrases may be useful when writing your answer:

• The writer / narrator uses / refers to / employs…
• The writer / narrator builds / creates / develops…
• The writer / narrator creates a mood / atmosphere / sense / feeling of…
• The use of simile / metaphor / personification / short sentences / ellipsis creates a sense of…
• The pace / rhythm of the text increases / decreases here so that…

English Language Reading Paper 2: Question 4

• Worth: 16 marks
• Suggested time spent: 16 minutes
• Assessed via: AO3
• Compare writers’ ideas and perspectives, as well as how these are conveyed, across two or more texts

Compare how the writers of Source A and Source B explore or address a particular idea or theme. You will need to look at surface meaning (such as a fact) and implied meaning (such as a suggestion or hint) within the texts. You will need to use evidence (quotations) from both texts. You need to make detailed comparisons between the two.

• Make sure your answer refers specifically to the question – you will be given a particular aspect of the pieces to look at
• You must use specific quotations from both texts
• Your comparison must give equal weight to both texts – don’t focus on one more than another
• You must look at the language, structure and themes in both texts
• Don’t just give quotations and facts – analyse how the writers both achieve particular effects
• As well as specific facts, you may need to look at the overall tone or impressions of the texts

The following phrases may be useful when making links between the texts:

English Language Reading Paper 2: Question 5

• Worth: 40 marks
• Suggested time spent: 45 minutes
• Assessed via: AO5 and AO6
• AO5 (24 marks)
• Communicate clearly, effectively and imaginatively, selecting and adapting tone, style and register for different forms, purposes and audiences. Organise information and ideas, using structural and grammatical features to support coherence and cohesion of texts.
• AO6 (16 marks)
• Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuation .

Complete the non-fiction writing task you are given. It will require you to write an engaging non-fiction piece. It should be appropriate to the purpose, audience and form stated in the question. The task will be on a similar theme to the texts supplied in Section A of the exam.

• Make sure your piece is carefully structured – take two minutes to plan it first
• Use a wide range of vocabulary, sentence structures and literary devices – this is your opportunity to show off
• Make sure you have read the question carefully – it’s important that your writing fits the task given
• Think very carefully about the tone of your piece – it must be appropriate to the purpose, audience and format specified
• Take great care with spelling, punctuation and grammar – 16 marks are available for technical accuracy
• Print out our Section B support guide

Try using some of the following discourse markers in your writing:

• Additionally
• Consequently
• Furthermore
• In conclusion
• Nevertheless
• On the other hand

Try using some of the following literary devices in your writing:

• Alliteration
• Direct address
• Emotive language
• Personification
• Rhetorical question
• Rule of three

AQA English Language Paper 2 Revision Final Tips

When you know the time of your exam, work out what the timings for each question will be.

e.g. Exam starts at 1.30pm:

If you miss your timings, don’t panic. Move to the next question quickly – you can always return to the previous one if you have time at the end.

Read the text provided carefully. If you’re unsure of what some of the words mean, try to work out their meanings by looking at their context in the sentence.

Remember to read for implied meaning, as well as surface meaning.

Read the questions very carefully. If need be, underline key words so you are sure what you are being asked.

Look at the marks available and adapt your response accordingly. There is no point writing two pages for a six mark question and half a page for a 15 mark question.

Write on your copy of the text if you want to. This is your exam paper – annotate and highlight as you need.

Keep quotations short – a few words at most.

Try to integrate quotations into your sentences.

Never criticise a writer. You can evaluate their work, using evidence from the text, but do not make sweeping statements about whether you personally like or dislike the text.

Plan your written task – a spider diagram, list or flow chart will help you to create cohesion in your writing.

Pay attention to your spelling, punctuation and grammar. This is worth 16 marks in Section B of the exam. Don’t make silly mistakes, such as forgetting to use capital letters correctly.

Check your work carefully when you have finished. Use every minute you have.

Finally: believe in yourself. You are prepared and YOU CAN DO THIS!

AQA English Language Digital Revision Booklet

All of the suggestions on this page are taken from the revision booklet , which includes additional tasks and exercises and can be purchased in our revision shop!

So, there you have it! Definitive AQA English Language Paper 2 revision, all in one place. You can find our Paper 1 blog here and for any other English GCSE revision needs, simply click here . Good luck!

Share this:

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Discover more from beyond gcse revision.

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

Mastering Paper 2 in English Language: Your Ultimate Guide

Today, we’re diving into the realm of Paper 2 in GCSE English Language. This exam section might seem a bit daunting at first, but fear not! I’ve got your back. Whether you’re a student or an educator, these fantastic tips will equip you with the necessary skills to conquer this paper like a true language maestro.

2023 GCSE English Language Paper 2 date: June 12th

In Paper 2, you’ll encounter two captivating extracts of non-fiction. Brace yourself for a time-traveling experience, as one extract will be from the 19th century while the other will be a contemporary piece from either the 20th or 21st century. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect: four reading questions and one writing question. Let’s explore each question type and unleash your full potential!

Here’s the English Language Paper 2 breakdown: Q1 – true/false – 4 marks Q2 –WHAT are the differences OR similarities between two sources (whole text) – 8 marks Q3 – language analysis of a section of the text– 12 marks Q4 – COMPARE VIEWPOINTS in the two sources (whole text) – 16 marks Q5 – writing to express a viewpoint – 40 marks

Question 1: Unveiling True or False (4 marks)

To start off, put on your detective hat and read the statements with a keen eye. Use a highlighter to mark the lines that relate to the questions. When you read through the statements initially, place a tiny dot next to the letters of the statements you believe are true. Delve deep into the text, cross-referencing and analyzing before shading the circles in the boxes. Top tip: spend no more than 5 minutes on this question before moving forward.

Question 2: Spotlight on Differences or Similarities (8 marks)

In this question, you’ll analyze the disparities or commonalities between the two given sources. Identify the focus provided and showcase your skills by pinpointing three compelling aspects from each source. Use the SQI approach (Statement, Quotation, Inference) to structure your response. Linking words like “however” or “similarly” and phrases such as “source B is different because” will add finesse to your answer. Let’s take a look at an example:

Differences and Similarities in Henry Mayhew’s visit to a prison (19th century) and Alex Cavendish’s visit to a prison (contemporary):

“ Both sources revolve around different institutions and the people within them. Source A depicts a prison with “long corridors” and “long tunnels,” creating an intimidating and maze-like atmosphere. Additionally, “narrow galleries” and “little mid-air bridges” reinforce the sense of confinement and the prisoners’ inability to escape. Meanwhile, source B portrays a prison where rooms “steadily get more and more enclosed,” inducing a feeling of claustrophobia similar to source A. However, source B intensifies the threat with its depiction of a “high fence topped with razor wire,” evoking a more brutal and prison-like ambiance. Although both texts highlight discipline within the prisons, source B portrays a more menacing environment.”

Thank you to the learning profession blog for this example

Pro Tip: stick to the topic focused on in the question, make inferences from language choice, do not analyse language devices

Question 3: Decoding Language Techniques (12 marks)

Time to appreciate the writer’s craft! Highlight the lines you’re required to analyze and focus on words, phrases, language features, and sentence forms. Remember the power of three! Select three attention-grabbing words or phrases that intrigue you and explore their effects. Look for the writer’s techniques within your chosen selections. Avoid the trap of feature spotting and instead, opt for elements that truly captivate your attention. Dive deep into the impact of the writer’s language, uncovering the thoughts, emotions, and imagery it evokes. Craft three insightful paragraphs (PEEZL format) and allocate around 10 minutes to tackle this question before moving on.

Top tip: BANNED: “Makes the reader want to read on” “Puts an image in the reader’s mind (does it?)” “Makes it interesting/engaging” “Makes it flow”

PEEZL paragraph: Point, Evidence, Explaination,. Zoom,. Link.

Question 4: Comparing Viewpoints (16 marks)

Here’s where we delve into the writer’s perspective! A viewpoint reflects what the writer feels, focuses on, or their attitude towards a topic. To conquer this question, follow this structured approach:

Viewpoint of Source A: What does the writer feel? How is it conveyed? Where’s the evidence? Zoom in on a specific paragraph or section that embodies the viewpoint. Extract key phrases, analyze their connotations, and explore how they shape the writer’s attitude.

Viewpoint of Source B: Now, let’s switch gears and analyze the perspective of Source B. Repeat the process mentioned above, examining the writer’s emotions, conveyed through carefully chosen words, and backed up by concrete evidence within the text.

Comparing Viewpoints: Now comes the exciting part! Compare the viewpoints of both sources, highlighting similarities and differences in the writers’ attitudes, beliefs, and approaches. Utilize comparative language to express connections or contrasts, such as “ while Source A adopts a somber tone, Source B takes a more optimistic stance.” Provide evidence from the texts to support your analysis and demonstrate a clear understanding of the writers’ intentions.

Question 5: Creative Writing (20 marks)

Last but certainly not least, it’s time to unleash your creativity!

This question allows you to put your imagination into action by crafting an engaging piece of writing. Whether it’s a descriptive narrative, a persuasive argument, or an emotive letter, make sure to plan your response effectively. Structure your piece with a captivating introduction, a well-developed main body, and a powerful conclusion. Incorporate literary devices, vivid language, and a range of sentence structures to make your writing shine. Remember to stay focused on the given topic and aim for coherence, originality, and flair.

• Use writing techniques like DAFOREST
• Pay attention to sentence structures and varied punctuation.
• Use topic sentences to structure your paragraphs
• Proofread your writing for spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors.
• Spend 5-10 minutes planning your response.
• Aim to write about two and a half sides.

English Language Paper 2 Concluding thoughts:

You’ve explored the five question types in English Language Paper 2; you’re now armed with the tools you need to excel. Remember, practice makes perfect. Engage in regular revision, work on timed mock exams, and seek feedback from your teachers and tutors . Embrace the journey of improving your English language skills and watch your confidence soar.

Go forth and conquer! Embrace the challenge of Paper 2 with open arms, knowing that you have the knowledge and strategies to excel. Believe in yourself, stay motivated, and remember that each step forward is a step closer to unlocking your true potential. Wishing you all the best on your English language adventure!

Vic C-S English Language Tutor

Have you met Vic yet? Be sure to check out their English tutor profile to learn how she can support you in boosting your English GCSE mark while having fun!

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

FULLY SUPPORTED BY RESEARCH

Everything that we do at Bettering Youth is backed by evidence, which is why we wanted to share with you the research for which we have based our highly successful programmes on.

English Language Paper 2 (AQA GCSE) – How to Approach It

Lots of my students struggle to understand English Language Paper 2, at first it seems less straightforward than Paper 1 as you could be given a whole range of different texts and types of writing: articles, blogs, interviews, letters, diary entries, or speeches.

However, the key to understanding this paper is in the title: PAPER 2: WRITERS’ VIEWPOINTS AND PERSPECTIVES. This means that it is focused on non-fiction writing (not stories) that provides strong opinions. Most of the writing you encounter in this paper will be persuasive, so make sure you are well trained in how to write effective persuasive pieces.

Thanks for reading! If you find this page useful, you can take a look at our full AQA Paper 2 English Language course .

You can also check Example Answer For English Language Paper 2, Question 2.

Section A: Reading

• You are given one non-fiction text and one literary non-fiction text
• Tests your comprehension skills (reading + understanding, including difficult vocabulary)
• Information selection skills (understanding the question and selecting the right quotations to prove your point)
• Analysis / Evaluation skills (explaining in detail how + why language works in a particular way and tying that to how it achieves the overall purpose of the text)

Section B: Writing

• Writing to present a viewpoint > ARGUMENTATIVE / PERSUASIVE WRITING

How To Revise:

Timing: 1hr 45 mins

• Practise timings before taking the real exam
• Complete mock papers / questions in accurately timed conditions + get your teachers or tutor to mark them + take on board feedback
• After noting down your feedback, try again and aim for a better grade each time you try. It’s good to make a checklist for each question of things to remember to include, that way over time you’ll train yourself to hit all the targets required for the mark scheme on each question.

Section A: Reading (40 marks) (25% of overall GCSE) — two linked texts

Spend 55mins — 1hr on this section.

• Before you answer the questions, spend 10 mins reading through the texts thoroughly. Don’t skip this stage or do it too fast, as you need to absorb the information and think about it properly before you begin writing.
• 1 short form question (1 x 4 marks) > 5 mins
• 2 longer form comparative and analysis questions (1 x 8, 1 x 12 marks) > 8–10 + 12–15 mins
• 1 extended question (1 x 16 marks) > 15–20 mins
• 5 mins reading through and checking your answers

Writing (40 marks) (25% of overall GCSE)

Spend 45–50 mins on this section.

• 1 extended writing question (24 marks for content, 16 marks for technical accuracy)
• Understand all the keywords of the question before you start, make sure your answer is as targeted as possible towards the question.
• Plan your writing before you begin . T ake around 5 mins to plan, it doesn’t need to be in great detail it can just be an overview of where you’re going with the question. Make sure to identify your GAP (Genre, Audience, Purpose) as thoroughly as you can before starting to plan.
• Spend around 35–40 mins writing. Write using as complex vocabulary as you can . T ry to adapt your style to suit the GAP, and use a huge range of language techniques and punctuation. This is a persuasive piece so rhetorical devices are especially important to use here. Semicolons and colons are considered high-level pieces of punctuation, definitely learn how to use those and put them into this answer.

NOTES FROM THE EXAM BOARD:

The aim of this paper is to develop students’ insights into how writers have particular viewpoints and perspectives on issues or themes that are important to the way we think and live our lives. It will encourage students to demonstrate their skills by:

• In section A, reading two linked sources from different time periods and genres in order to consider how each presents a perspective or viewpoint to influence the reader
• In section B, producing a written text to a specified audience, purpose, and form in which they give their own perspective on the theme that has been introduced to them in section A.

The paper will assess in this sequence, AO1, AO2, and AO3 for reading, and AO5 and AO6 for writing. Section A will be allocated 40 marks, and section B will be allocated 40 marks to give an equal weighting to the reading and writing tasks.

What will the texts be like?

The sources for the reading questions will be non-fiction and literary non-fiction texts. They will be drawn from the 19th century, and either the 20th or 21st century depending on the time period assessed in Paper 1 in each particular series. The combination selected will always provide students with an opportunity to consider viewpoints and perspectives over time. Choice of genre will include high quality journalism, articles, reports, essays, travel writing, accounts, sketches, letters, diaries, autobiography and biographical passages or other appropriate non-fiction and literary non-fiction forms.

In section B, there will be a single writing task related to the theme of section A. It will specify audience, purpose and form, and will use a range of opinions, statements and writing scenarios to provoke a response.

Related Posts

The Theme of Morality in To Kill A Mockingbird

Unseen Poetry Exam Practice – Spring

To Kill A Mockingbird Essay Writing – PEE Breakdown

Emily Dickinson A Level Exam Questions

Unseen Poetry Exam Practice: The Man He Killed

An Inspector Calls – Official AQA Exam Questions

How to Get Started with Narrative Writing

What do I need to do for AQA Language Paper 2?

Fleance Character Analysis + Quotations

How to do well in the AQA GCSE Paper 2 Exam!

© Copyright Scrbbly 2022

This website works best with JavaScript switched on. Please enable JavaScript

• Centre Services
• Associate Extranet
• All About Maths

GCSE English Language

• Specification
• Planning resources
• Teaching resources

Assessment resources

• Answers and commentaries (1)
• Centre declaration sheets (8)
• Examiner reports (12)
• Grade descriptors (1)
• Mark schemes (10)
• Notes and guidance (12)
• Question papers (51)
• Component 3 NEA (8)
• Paper 1 (35)
• Paper 2 (36)
• June 2018 (1)
• June 2019 (1)
• June 2022 (16)
• November 2020 (17)
• November 2021 (16)
• November 2022 (16)
• November 2023 (1)
• Sample set 1 (5)
• Post-16 resits (4)

Showing 96 results

AQA | Non-exam assessment guide: Spoken language endorsement Promoted Published 30 Oct 2015

Results snapshot - November 2023 New

Published 23 Feb 2024 | PDF | 2 MB

Exampro: interactive student examples [exampro.co.uk]

Published 12 Dec 2023

Centre declaration form: Component 3 NEA Spoken language - November 2024

Published 10 Nov 2023 | PDF | 81 KB

Published 10 Nov 2023 | DOCX | 324 KB

Centre declaration form: non-exam assessment, fieldwork and live performance: 2025

Published 10 Nov 2023 | PDF | 90 KB

Centre declaration form: non-exam assessment, fieldwork and live performance 2025

Published 10 Nov 2023 | DOCX | 293 KB

Insert: Paper 1 Explorations in creative reading and writing - November 2022

Published 31 Oct 2023 | PDF | 189 KB

Insert (Modified A4 18pt): Paper 1 Explorations in creative reading and writing - November 2022

Published 31 Oct 2023 | PDF | 106 KB

Insert (Modified A3 36pt): Paper 1 Explorations in creative reading and writing - November 2022

Published 31 Oct 2023 | PDF | 113 KB

Question paper: Paper 1 Explorations in creative reading and writing - November 2022

Published 31 Oct 2023 | PDF | 1.2 MB

Question paper: Paper 2 Writers’ viewpoints and perspectives - November 2022

Published 31 Oct 2023 | PDF | 373 KB

Question paper (Modified A4 18pt): Paper 2 Writers’ viewpoints and perspectives - November 2022

Published 31 Oct 2023 | PDF | 287 KB

Question paper (Modified A3 36pt): Paper 2 Writers’ viewpoints and perspectives - November 2022

Published 31 Oct 2023 | PDF | 273 KB

Question paper (Modified A3 36pt): Paper 1 Explorations in creative reading and writing - November 2022

Published 31 Oct 2023 | PDF | 820 KB

Question paper (Modified A4 18pt): Paper 1 Explorations in creative reading and writing - November 2022

Insert: Paper 2 Writers’ viewpoints and perspectives - November 2022

Published 31 Oct 2023 | PDF | 253 KB

Insert (Modified A4 18pt): Paper 2 Writers’ viewpoints and perspectives - November 2022

Published 31 Oct 2023 | PDF | 166 KB

Insert (Modified A3 36pt): Paper 2 Writers’ viewpoints and perspectives - November 2022

Published 31 Oct 2023 | PDF | 156 KB

Examiner report: Paper 1 Explorations in creative reading and writing - November 2022

Published 31 Oct 2023 | PDF | 176 KB

Examiner report: Paper 2 Writers’ viewpoints and perspectives - November 2022

Published 31 Oct 2023 | PDF | 178 KB

AQA GCSE English Language Past Papers

This section includes recent GCSE English Language past papers (9-1) (8700) from AQA. You can download each of the AQA GCSE English Language past papers and marking schemes by clicking the links below.

November 2022 AQA GCSE (9-1) English Language (8700) Past Exam Papers

November 2022: Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing (8700/1) Download Insert    -     Download Past Paper     -     Download Mark Scheme

November 2022: Paper 2: Writer's Viewpoints and Perspectives (8700/2) Download Insert    -    Download Past Paper    -    Download Mark Scheme

June 2022 AQA GCSE (9-1) English Language (8700) Past Exam Papers

June 2022: Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing (8700/1) Download Insert    -     Download Past Paper     -     Download Mark Scheme

June 2022: Paper 2: Writer's Viewpoints and Perspectives (8700/2) Download Insert      -    Download Past Paper    -    Download Mark Scheme

November 2021 AQA GCSE (9-1) English Language (8700) Past Exam Papers (Labelled as June 2021)

November 2021: Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing (8700/1) Download Insert    -     Download Past Paper     -     Download Mark Scheme

November 2021: Paper 2: Writer's Viewpoints and Perspectives (8700/2) Download Insert      -    Download Past Paper    -    Download Mark Scheme

November 2020 AQA GCSE (9-1) English Language (8700) Past Exam Papers (Labelled as June 2020)

November 2020: Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing (8700/1) Download Insert    -     Download Past Paper     -     Download Mark Scheme

November 2020: Paper 2: Writer's Viewpoints and Perspectives (8700/2) Download Insert      -    Download Past Paper    -    Download Mark Scheme

June 2019 AQA GCSE (9-1) English Language (8700) Past Exam Papers

June 2019: Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing (8700/1) Download Insert    -     Download Past Paper     -     Download Mark Scheme

June 2019: Paper 2: Writer's Viewpoints and Perspectives (8700/2) Download Insert      -    Download Past Paper    -    Download Mark Scheme

November 2018 AQA GCSE (9-1) English Language (8700) Past Exam Papers

November 2018: Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing (8700/1) Download Insert   -    Download Past Paper    -    Download Mark Scheme

November 2018: Paper 2: Writer's Viewpoints and Perspectives (8700/2) Download Insert     -    Download Past Paper    -  D  ownload Mark Scheme

June 2018 AQA GCSE (9-1) English Language (8700) Past Exam Papers

June 2018: Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing (8700/1) Download Insert   -     Download Past Paper     -     Download Mark Scheme

June 2018: Paper 2: Writer's Viewpoints and Perspectives (8700/2) Download Insert      -     Download Past Paper     -     Download Mark Scheme

November 2017 AQA GCSE English Language (8700) Past Exam Papers

November 2017: Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing (8700/1) Download Insert    -     Download Past Paper    -    Download Mark Scheme

November 2017: Paper 2: Writer's Viewpoints and Perspectives (8700/2) Download Insert      -     Download Past Paper     -    Download Mark Scheme

June 2017 AQA GCSE English Language (8700) Past Exam Papers

June 2017: Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing (8700/1) Download Insert    -    Download Past Paper    -    Download Mark Scheme

June 2017: Paper 2: Writer's Viewpoints and Perspectives (8700/2) Download Insert      -     Download Past Paper     -    Download Mark Scheme

For more GCSE English Language past papers from other exam boards  click here .