English Language Paper 2
Question 2- A summary question
AO1: Identify and interpret explicit and implicit information and ideas. Select and synthesise
evidence from different texts.
Mr Bruff
Step 1: Find a point of difference.
Example: Bruff is informal when talked to, whereas Thompson behaves formally.
Step 2: Find quotations to back up your answer.
Example: Mr Bruff has an informal attitude, as he often ‘laughs’ and ‘beams’. Thompson, however, is
much more formal, with the formal opening ‘I am writing with reference to’.
Step 3: Given that this is the difference, what does this lead me to realise about what I’ve been
asked to focus on?
Example: Mr Bruff has an informal attitude, as he often ‘laughs’ and ‘beams’, emphasising his
passion and sense of humour. This reflects the non-controlling attitude Bruff has to education: he
puts the students and their needs before himself. Thompson, however, is much more formal, seen in
his formality when he is ‘writing with reference to’. This formal attitude is used to emphasise the
difference in status between himself and Mr Woolark to whom he writes. Thompson clearly has a
defined role of authority, which he is keenly protecting and projecting in this letter.
AQA Example
Eddie is a typical modern teenager who is cheeky and speaks to his father in a ‘mocking voice’
emphasising their close relationship and good humour with each other. Henry however is distant
and formal with his father addressing him in a respectful tone, ‘my dear Father’ emphasising the
difference in status between them.
Question 3- Language Question
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.
What is the specific effect that the writer is trying to achieve?
Bruff Example:
Thompson uses a range of negative emotive language to describe Adrian, detailing the ‘poor
behaviour exhibited’ by the boy. The use of the verb ‘exhibited’ has an extra of criticism to it, as it
suggests that Adrian’s bad behaviour is some sort of public spectacle, a performance given for the
purpose of eliciting a response. It is as if the boy has deliberately misbehaved, rather than
accidentally found himself in trouble. This exaggerates the sense of Adrian’s disobedience. This
negative emotive language is juxtaposed with a wealth of positive terms used to describe Woodland
Green school. Thompson employs a range of positive adjective such as ‘keen’, ‘eager’ and ‘best’
Question 2- A summary question
AO1: Identify and interpret explicit and implicit information and ideas. Select and synthesise
evidence from different texts.
Mr Bruff
Step 1: Find a point of difference.
Example: Bruff is informal when talked to, whereas Thompson behaves formally.
Step 2: Find quotations to back up your answer.
Example: Mr Bruff has an informal attitude, as he often ‘laughs’ and ‘beams’. Thompson, however, is
much more formal, with the formal opening ‘I am writing with reference to’.
Step 3: Given that this is the difference, what does this lead me to realise about what I’ve been
asked to focus on?
Example: Mr Bruff has an informal attitude, as he often ‘laughs’ and ‘beams’, emphasising his
passion and sense of humour. This reflects the non-controlling attitude Bruff has to education: he
puts the students and their needs before himself. Thompson, however, is much more formal, seen in
his formality when he is ‘writing with reference to’. This formal attitude is used to emphasise the
difference in status between himself and Mr Woolark to whom he writes. Thompson clearly has a
defined role of authority, which he is keenly protecting and projecting in this letter.
AQA Example
Eddie is a typical modern teenager who is cheeky and speaks to his father in a ‘mocking voice’
emphasising their close relationship and good humour with each other. Henry however is distant
and formal with his father addressing him in a respectful tone, ‘my dear Father’ emphasising the
difference in status between them.
Question 3- Language Question
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.
What is the specific effect that the writer is trying to achieve?
Bruff Example:
Thompson uses a range of negative emotive language to describe Adrian, detailing the ‘poor
behaviour exhibited’ by the boy. The use of the verb ‘exhibited’ has an extra of criticism to it, as it
suggests that Adrian’s bad behaviour is some sort of public spectacle, a performance given for the
purpose of eliciting a response. It is as if the boy has deliberately misbehaved, rather than
accidentally found himself in trouble. This exaggerates the sense of Adrian’s disobedience. This
negative emotive language is juxtaposed with a wealth of positive terms used to describe Woodland
Green school. Thompson employs a range of positive adjective such as ‘keen’, ‘eager’ and ‘best’
