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GCSE English / English

Language (AQA)

Unit 1 Examination

A Guide for Parents

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GCSE Qualification at a Glance

Written Controlled Assessments – 40%

• x 4 assignments for English Language

• x 5 assignments for English

Speaking & Listening – 20%

• x 3 assignments

• Final time for entry is November 2013

Unit 1 External Examination – 40%

• This will be worth 60% from June 2014

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Unit 1 Examination

Section A: Reading response to non-fiction/media texts

• Advised time: 75 mins

• You will be given three sources to read

• There will be a range of questions

• Answer all the questions

Section B: Writing

• Advised time: 60 mins

• Answer both questions (Q.5 & Q.6); there is no choice

Q.5 Shorter task = writing to inform / explain / describe (approx 25 mins)

Q.6 Longer task = writing to argue / persuade (approx 35 mins)

A past paper for reference

• http://filestore.aqa.org.uk/subjects/AQA-ENG1H-W-QP-JUN11.PDF

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Section A SummaryFoundation Tier Question & approach Marks Approx Timing

1a. Read Source 1 and find 4 things 4

15 mins1b. Infer meaning from Source 1 4

2. Read Source 2 and infer meaning 8 15 mins

3. Read Source 3 and analyse language 12 20 mins

4. Compare presentation in S3 and another source 12 20 mins

Higher Tier Question & approach Marks Approx Timing

1. Read Source 1 and retrieve information 8 15 mins

2. Read Source 2 and interpret presentational features 8 15 mins

3. Read Source 3 and interpret meaning 8 15 mins

4. Compare language features in S3 and another source 16 30 mins

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Section A: Reading Texts

Non–Fiction Texts

• Newspaper / magazine articles

• Web articles

• Travel writing

• Autobiography

• Blogs

• Leaflets

The more students read non-fiction texts in their daily lives, the

better prepared they will be to answer questions in the

examination.

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Revision Tip 1

Encourage your child to read news articles and tell

you what they are about.

• BBC Radio 1’s ‘Newsbeat’ website provides accessible articles

• The Independent’s sister newspaper, the ‘i’, is a great way to introduce

students to broadsheet journalism

• Set a news site as your home page (BBC, Sky, Google) so students are

exposed to rich non-fiction texts every time they go online

• Students with smartphones can access news articles on the go

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Revision Tip 2

Encourage your child to annotate non-fiction texts

with the effects created by pictures and headlines

Go on to link the picture and headline to the text

itself

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Revision Tip 3

As well as news articles, students should read

texts which expose them to the writer’s thoughts

and feelings. Encourage them to read about

someone who interests them.

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Revision Tip 4

Students will benefit from knowing a range of

language terms and techniques. Encourage them

to form a ‘tool-kit’ of examples from texts they

read.

See the next page for examples

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LANGUAGE EFFECTS?

Narrator First – more personal: ‘I’

Second – directly addresses reader – friendly and inviting?

Third – more objective and impersonal

Adjectives / verbs… Specific words (vocabulary) can make writing more vivid, descriptive or

dramatic.

Formal / informal language Formal: can seem important, serious and authentic

Informal: can seem warm, light-hearted and personal…

Rhetorical questions These questions imply their own answer and engage and help persuade the

reader.

Puns / humour / sarcasm Can be used to exaggerate / emphasise a point

Emotive language Words and phrases deliberately used to provoke an emotional reaction

Facts / Opinions Used to support a writer’s point of view. Look out for opinions disguised as

facts: ‘TV is the most effective way of...’

Figurative language Simile, metaphor and personification create images that can be engaging and

involving.

Statistics Facts and figures from recognisable sources appear believable and add

authority.

Exaggeration Exaggeration can create a persuasive impact: ‘….is surely every person’s

dream.’

Anecdote The use of short, interesting anecdotes personalizes the writing and engages

the reader’s attention: ‘John, a poor, homeless boy who…..’

Lists / repetition / rule of 3 Can be used for emphasis – particularly in persuasive writing.

Alliteration / onomatopoeia Can draw attention to specific words for impact

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Revision Tip 5

Students should get into the habit of checking all their writing for

spelling, punctuation and grammar errors and amending it as

needed. When students undertake written homework for any

subject, encourage them to spend 5 to 10 minutes checking

through their writing carefully and correcting errors as

necessary.

Proof-reading writing is essential.

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Revision Tip 6

Students often struggle with timing in the exam. It is essential

they answer all questions fully if they are to be successful.

Students should try to re-create the conditions of the exam

when working at home. They should work in silence to produce

a handwritten response, without assistance, in the time allowed

in the exam.

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General Revision Strategies

• Encourage students to complete the tasks in their Revision

Guide and past exam papers

• Devise a revision timetable and allow time for other activities

• 30 – 40 minutes revision interspersed with short breaks works

well

• Write key notes on flashcards and review them regularly

• Make posters with all you need to know and display them

• Try to teach someone else what you are revising

• Attempt past exam questions in exam conditions

• Keep a spelling diary of interesting vocabulary and ask

someone to give you a spelling test

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Useful Websites

• http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english/

• http://geoffbarton.co.uk/files/student-

resources/English_GCSE_Masterclass/GB-READING-

MASTERCLASS.pdf

• www.englishbiz.co.uk

• www.s-cool.co.uk/gcse/english

• http://data.bolton.ac.uk/bissto/basicskills/english/index.htm

Guides you could buy if you prefer paper:

• http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1847625789/?tag=hydra0b-

21&hvadid=9550943109&ref=asc_df_1847625789

• http://www.amazon.co.uk/Revise-AQA-English-Language-

Revision/dp/1447940660/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_y

• http://www.amazon.co.uk/Revise-AQA-Language-Revision-

Workbook/dp/1447940709/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_y

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YouTube Channels

Some useful YouTube

channels are:

• WCSEnglish

• Cheney Takeaway

• Mr Bruff

• Free E School

• CherwellOnline Resources