English Language
Revision Guide
By Nayim Mohammed
1
,Contents
Chapter 1: Paper 1
1. Close analysis of single text……………………………………......……………..Page 3-13
2. Writing on a topical issue…………………….…………………….….………….Page 13-20
3. Comparing 2 texts with linked topic in different modes...………….Page 21-25
Chapter 2: Paper 2
4. Child Language Acquisition………………………….………………..………….Page 26-33
5. Language in the media………………………………………..…………………….Page 34-35
6. Language Change……………………………………….……………………………..Page 36-41
Monday 20th May 2019 Paper 1: Exploring Language 9:00 – 11:30 am
Tuesday 4th June 2019 Paper 2: Dimensions of 9:00 – 11:30 am
Linguistic Writing
A01 Apply appropriate methods and language analysis, using correct
terminology and coherent writing expression
A02 Demonstrate critical understand of concepts and issues relevant to
language use
A03 Analyse and evaluate how contextual factors and language features
are associated with the construction of meaning
A04 Explore connections across texts, informed by linguistic concepts and
methods
A05 Demonstrate expertise, creativity and flair in the use of English to
communicate in different ways
Chapter 1.1: Close analysis of single text
2
, A01 + A03 [20 marks] = 40 min
Language Levels
Lexis – word
Semantics – meaning
Grammar – word order
Discourse – bodies of text
Graphology – layout
Phonology – sounds
PART A) Identify and analyse uses of lexis and semantics in this text [10]
What are the different ways of analysing lexis?
1) Register – formal (Standard English), informal, consultative (less formal than SE),
casual, intimate (lovers and close friend), frozen (never changes)
2) Specialism – specialist, subject specific, semantic field (related to a theme)
3) Origin – etymology (Latin, French, German etc.)
4) No. of syllables – monosyllabic (one), disyllabic (two), polysyllabic (multiple)
5) Frequency – high frequency (roasted, topped, book etc.), low frequency (it, the, a, if
etc.)
6) Age – archaic (old), obsolete (not used anymore), recently coined (new)
7) Formality – formal, informal, colloquial, slang
8) Code-switching – changing registers
9) Lect – dialect (speech from geographic influence), idiolect (individual’s way of
speaking / pronunciation), sociolect (way social group speaks)
Open Class
Open Class Definition Example Effect
Noun Used to identify ‘John’, ‘rain’, Proper nouns give specificity, directness or
people, places or ‘sadness’, ‘team’ definiteness. Concrete nouns describe
things something tangible, therefore show the same.
Abstract nouns describe intangible entity,
therefore, show emotion (passion, sadness) a
reaction or internal feeling. Usually links to
supernatural, impalpable and unearthly entities.
Adjective Describing actions or ‘red’, ‘technical’, Descriptive adjectives usually illustrate an
nouns ‘beautiful’ ‘faster’ image in readers mind, can be vivid, graphic or
striking. Intensified adjectives escalate or
heighten event. Works to magnify and deepen
issue, or compound and exacerbate.
Superlative and comparative adjectives work to
reinforce, strengthen or underpin.
Verb Used to describe ‘I jog’, ‘I think’, ‘I Dynamic verbs show action, therefore exertion,
action, state or win’ effort and endeavour. Could relate to conflict or
occurrence simple first person account of events unfolding.
Stative verb refers to state, therefore same
effects as abstract noun.
3
, Adverb Used to describe a ‘slowly’, ‘joyfully’, Adverbs describe time, manner, place, and
verb ‘intently’ probability. Therefore, have several effects. Can
be detailed and illustrative. Most usually an
ongoing action, therefore, it is developing,
relentless or suspenseful.
Closed Class
Close Class Definition Example Effect
rd
Pronoun Stands in for regular ‘we, ‘he’, ‘they, ‘it’ 3 person: Usually not being specific, so could
nouns show ambiguity, indefiniteness, uncertainty or
obscurity. 1st person: could show unique
idiosyncrasies, or developing personal account
of events unfolding.
Determiner Determines noun ‘an, ‘some, ‘a’, Usually regulates paragraph, and directs
being references ‘the’, ‘that’, ‘those’ actions. Relates to use of articles.
Articles Introduce topics Definite = the Definite article show descriptive,
Indefinite = a, an comprehensive and overarching account.
Indefinite article shows immediacy and
directness towards events.
Preposition Relation of the ‘under’, ‘above’, Positioning is significant, as it shows proxemics
position of a noun to ‘besides’ and orientations of character. Also directly links
something else to setting and ongoing events.
Conjunction Connects sentences ‘and’, ‘however’, Adjoining clauses leads to extensive portions
together ‘also’ and extended sentences. Could show
perpetuation or relentlessness of action, or
profundity, or intricacy, or greater importance
or focus on a particular event.
Auxiliary Supporting verbs Primary – ‘be’, Primary – show definiteness, undoubted,
verbs that form tenses, ‘do’, ‘have’ directness, decisive and clarity. Modal – show
moods and voices Modal – ‘could’, intermediacy (liminal), ambiguity, uncertainty,
‘may’, ‘can’ obscurity, and being equivocal.
1. Nouns
Proper nouns -> places, people brands i.e. John, Woodhouse, Samsung
Common noun -> Concrete (tangible) i.e. rain, car, chair
-> Abstract (intangible) i.e. truth, sadness, honesty
-> Collective (groups) i.e. audience, team, herd
2. Adjectives
Describes an action or noun, and there are 4 types
1) Descriptive i.e. blue, clever, big
4
Revision Guide
By Nayim Mohammed
1
,Contents
Chapter 1: Paper 1
1. Close analysis of single text……………………………………......……………..Page 3-13
2. Writing on a topical issue…………………….…………………….….………….Page 13-20
3. Comparing 2 texts with linked topic in different modes...………….Page 21-25
Chapter 2: Paper 2
4. Child Language Acquisition………………………….………………..………….Page 26-33
5. Language in the media………………………………………..…………………….Page 34-35
6. Language Change……………………………………….……………………………..Page 36-41
Monday 20th May 2019 Paper 1: Exploring Language 9:00 – 11:30 am
Tuesday 4th June 2019 Paper 2: Dimensions of 9:00 – 11:30 am
Linguistic Writing
A01 Apply appropriate methods and language analysis, using correct
terminology and coherent writing expression
A02 Demonstrate critical understand of concepts and issues relevant to
language use
A03 Analyse and evaluate how contextual factors and language features
are associated with the construction of meaning
A04 Explore connections across texts, informed by linguistic concepts and
methods
A05 Demonstrate expertise, creativity and flair in the use of English to
communicate in different ways
Chapter 1.1: Close analysis of single text
2
, A01 + A03 [20 marks] = 40 min
Language Levels
Lexis – word
Semantics – meaning
Grammar – word order
Discourse – bodies of text
Graphology – layout
Phonology – sounds
PART A) Identify and analyse uses of lexis and semantics in this text [10]
What are the different ways of analysing lexis?
1) Register – formal (Standard English), informal, consultative (less formal than SE),
casual, intimate (lovers and close friend), frozen (never changes)
2) Specialism – specialist, subject specific, semantic field (related to a theme)
3) Origin – etymology (Latin, French, German etc.)
4) No. of syllables – monosyllabic (one), disyllabic (two), polysyllabic (multiple)
5) Frequency – high frequency (roasted, topped, book etc.), low frequency (it, the, a, if
etc.)
6) Age – archaic (old), obsolete (not used anymore), recently coined (new)
7) Formality – formal, informal, colloquial, slang
8) Code-switching – changing registers
9) Lect – dialect (speech from geographic influence), idiolect (individual’s way of
speaking / pronunciation), sociolect (way social group speaks)
Open Class
Open Class Definition Example Effect
Noun Used to identify ‘John’, ‘rain’, Proper nouns give specificity, directness or
people, places or ‘sadness’, ‘team’ definiteness. Concrete nouns describe
things something tangible, therefore show the same.
Abstract nouns describe intangible entity,
therefore, show emotion (passion, sadness) a
reaction or internal feeling. Usually links to
supernatural, impalpable and unearthly entities.
Adjective Describing actions or ‘red’, ‘technical’, Descriptive adjectives usually illustrate an
nouns ‘beautiful’ ‘faster’ image in readers mind, can be vivid, graphic or
striking. Intensified adjectives escalate or
heighten event. Works to magnify and deepen
issue, or compound and exacerbate.
Superlative and comparative adjectives work to
reinforce, strengthen or underpin.
Verb Used to describe ‘I jog’, ‘I think’, ‘I Dynamic verbs show action, therefore exertion,
action, state or win’ effort and endeavour. Could relate to conflict or
occurrence simple first person account of events unfolding.
Stative verb refers to state, therefore same
effects as abstract noun.
3
, Adverb Used to describe a ‘slowly’, ‘joyfully’, Adverbs describe time, manner, place, and
verb ‘intently’ probability. Therefore, have several effects. Can
be detailed and illustrative. Most usually an
ongoing action, therefore, it is developing,
relentless or suspenseful.
Closed Class
Close Class Definition Example Effect
rd
Pronoun Stands in for regular ‘we, ‘he’, ‘they, ‘it’ 3 person: Usually not being specific, so could
nouns show ambiguity, indefiniteness, uncertainty or
obscurity. 1st person: could show unique
idiosyncrasies, or developing personal account
of events unfolding.
Determiner Determines noun ‘an, ‘some, ‘a’, Usually regulates paragraph, and directs
being references ‘the’, ‘that’, ‘those’ actions. Relates to use of articles.
Articles Introduce topics Definite = the Definite article show descriptive,
Indefinite = a, an comprehensive and overarching account.
Indefinite article shows immediacy and
directness towards events.
Preposition Relation of the ‘under’, ‘above’, Positioning is significant, as it shows proxemics
position of a noun to ‘besides’ and orientations of character. Also directly links
something else to setting and ongoing events.
Conjunction Connects sentences ‘and’, ‘however’, Adjoining clauses leads to extensive portions
together ‘also’ and extended sentences. Could show
perpetuation or relentlessness of action, or
profundity, or intricacy, or greater importance
or focus on a particular event.
Auxiliary Supporting verbs Primary – ‘be’, Primary – show definiteness, undoubted,
verbs that form tenses, ‘do’, ‘have’ directness, decisive and clarity. Modal – show
moods and voices Modal – ‘could’, intermediacy (liminal), ambiguity, uncertainty,
‘may’, ‘can’ obscurity, and being equivocal.
1. Nouns
Proper nouns -> places, people brands i.e. John, Woodhouse, Samsung
Common noun -> Concrete (tangible) i.e. rain, car, chair
-> Abstract (intangible) i.e. truth, sadness, honesty
-> Collective (groups) i.e. audience, team, herd
2. Adjectives
Describes an action or noun, and there are 4 types
1) Descriptive i.e. blue, clever, big
4
