GUIDE FOR SUCCESSAQA English Language

WHAT IS THE EXAM ABOUT?

• There are two sections, section A is a reading exam and section B is a writing exam.

• For section A you have 10 minutes to read and an 1hr to respond to the questions.

• In section A you will be expected to read three texts (normally two articles and one extract) and to answer 4 questions based on the texts:

• Question 1 – you should spend 10/12 minutes on this question. You must find and summarise the information from the article, using quotations. Aim to write 4 to 5 paragraphs using 5 to 8 different pieces of information. You must link it all.

• Question 2 – you should spend 10/12 minutes on this question. The question requires you to comment on the presentational features of the article. Aim to make 2 to 3 comments per device. Include language.

• Question 3 – you should spend 10/12 minutes on this question. The question asks you to comment on the use of language to present ideas within a text. Write 4 to 5 paragraphs.

WHAT IS THE EXAM ABOUT?

• Question 4 – you should spend 20/22 minutes on this question. It requires you to respond to two out of three texts. You must compare the texts by analysing the effects of the writer’s use of language.

• In section B you will respond to two questions; a short writing task (16 marks) and a long writing task (24 marks) you should spend 25 minutes on the first task and 35 minutes on the second task.

• Question 5 – this question will give you a scenario and you will need to write to explain. You should also describe and possibly entertain your reader.

• Question 6 – this question will give you a scenario and you will need to write to persuade or argue. You should aim to write 5 to 6 paragraphs.

WHAT TYPES OF NON-FICTION TEXTS ARE THERE?

Non-fiction text types

Newspapers and magazines

autobiographies

advertisements

Travel writing

QUESTION 1 SUCCESS CHECKLIST

Write mostly in your own words

Include short and relevant quotations

Describe the views shared by the writer in the article

Summarise key points of information

Write at least 5 paragraphs

QUESTION 2 SUCCESS CHECKLIST

Comments on at least 3 presentational features (headline, picture etc.)

Include short and relevant quotations

Link the text to the picture, headline and sub-headlines

make at least 2 comments per presentational devise

discuss a range of different devices and include use of language

QUESTION 2 – WHAT TO INCLUDE

Sentence Starters Look out for and discuss…

The headline “…..” suggests that …The phrase “…..” in the sub-headline suggests that…The size and colour of the … in the picture may make the reader feel…This links to the idea in the main text that…

Individual words or phrasesJuxtapositionColour and sizeDetails within imageAlliterationSimiles and metaphors

QUESTION 3 SUCCESS CHECKLIST

Use PEE to explore the language techniques in the extract

Include short and relevant quotations

Comment on the use of language techniques in the extract

Answer using a structured response

Summarise the writers thoughts and feelings

QUESTION 4 SUCCESS CHECKLIST

Use PEE to explore the language techniques in the extract

Include short and relevant quotations

Identify the similarities and differences between the two texts

Answer using a structured response

Develop and analyse the effect of the language

QUESTION 4 – WHAT TO INCLUDE

Connectives Key language devices

Similar to…Similarly…Equally…In addition…However…On the other hand…Moreover…In contrast…

Facts and StatisticsOpinions Emotive languageAnecdotesRhetorical questionsPersonal pronounsRule of threeImageryTechnical jargonPunctuation for effectSentence structure

QUESTION 5 SUCCESS CHECKLIST

Use a wide range of sentence lengths

Use a wide range of punctuation

Choose and appeal to a certain target audience

Write at least 5 paragraphs

Use a wide range of language techniques to explain

QUESTION 6 SUCCESS CHECKLIST

Use a wide range of sentence lengths

Use a wide range of punctuation

Choose and appeal to a certain target audience

Be engaging, interesting, passionate and exciting

Use a wide range of persuasive or/and argumentative language

QUESTION 5/6 – WHAT TO INCLUDE

Describe/Explain Persuade/Argue

Facts and StatisticsThe 6 W’s – what, when, where, why, who, howRhetorical questionsDescriptive languageOpinionated languageAnecdotes

Emotive languageAnecdotesDirect addressHyperbolesSuperlativesRhetorical questionsAlliterationRule of threeOpinionated languageImperatives