A Guide to GCSE English Language Paper 2 (1 hour, 45mins)
24
Q Aarks Timings How to Answer this Question
40 45mins Identify the purpose, audience and form of the piece of writing. PLAN a 5 paragraph response:
Introduction set out your point of view (biq idea), introduce your small ideas/arguments and engage the reader.
2 x Argument Paragraphs develop these using anecdotes, scenarios, statistics and real-life examples, link back to your big
idea
1x Counter-Argument Paragraph - explore why some people would disagree with you but remember to refute their ideas and
state why your opinion is still 'right
Conclusion - summarise your strongest argument/s, look to the future ofthis issue and leave your reader agreeing withyou.
Fding 10mins You need to allow 10 minutes for reading both sources properly and annotating/highlighting.
1 4 5mins You will be asked to identify 4 TRUE statements froma choice of 8. If you think a statement is true, put a small dot next to
the sentence and then skim and scan the text to check that you can find some evidence to prove this before shading in the
semicircle. There will usually be 1-2 'trick' statements which are very similar to information in the text but with a subtle
difference that makes them FALSE.
8 10mins You will be asked to summarise differences about one aspect of the two texts. This will usually be a small aspect of the whole
text and not the main point. Read the question carefully. Write two paragraphs summarising the information in the two texts
and saying how it is different by using discourse markers like 'however' and 'whereas'. Use statement+
quotatation inference/interpretation. You DO NOT need to analyse language or pick out word choices for this question.
3 2 15mins You will be asked to analyse the writer's use of language in a section one text. Check which section of the text you need to
focus on and draw a box/line around it. Check the exact focus of the question and select 3-4 examples of interesting language
to comment on. These can be words, techniques or both. Clearly explore the effect of the language you have chosen. Use short
quotations and make sure you explore the effect of word choices, even if you are commenting on a technique. The
word/adjective/verb/adverb. implies/suggests... Write 2-3 paragraphs.
4 16 20mins This question will ask you to compare how the writers of the two texts convey their viewpoints. You need to identify what each
writer's viewpoint is and 2 examples of how they convey it (language/structural choices). Write a 3 paragraph answer using
comparison discourse markers similarly, in contrast, in comparison, however, whereas, etc
Paragraph 1: explain what each writer's viewpoint is, using embeadded quotations, and explain how they are different
Paragraph 2: write about one example of language use in Source A and analyse its effect then compare with an example of
language use in Source B
Paragraph 3: write about a different example of language use in Source A and analyse its effect then compare with a different
example of language use in Source B
Use a y spare time to proofread your writing response for SPaG and check that all of your answers are clearly expressed.
24
Q Aarks Timings How to Answer this Question
40 45mins Identify the purpose, audience and form of the piece of writing. PLAN a 5 paragraph response:
Introduction set out your point of view (biq idea), introduce your small ideas/arguments and engage the reader.
2 x Argument Paragraphs develop these using anecdotes, scenarios, statistics and real-life examples, link back to your big
idea
1x Counter-Argument Paragraph - explore why some people would disagree with you but remember to refute their ideas and
state why your opinion is still 'right
Conclusion - summarise your strongest argument/s, look to the future ofthis issue and leave your reader agreeing withyou.
Fding 10mins You need to allow 10 minutes for reading both sources properly and annotating/highlighting.
1 4 5mins You will be asked to identify 4 TRUE statements froma choice of 8. If you think a statement is true, put a small dot next to
the sentence and then skim and scan the text to check that you can find some evidence to prove this before shading in the
semicircle. There will usually be 1-2 'trick' statements which are very similar to information in the text but with a subtle
difference that makes them FALSE.
8 10mins You will be asked to summarise differences about one aspect of the two texts. This will usually be a small aspect of the whole
text and not the main point. Read the question carefully. Write two paragraphs summarising the information in the two texts
and saying how it is different by using discourse markers like 'however' and 'whereas'. Use statement+
quotatation inference/interpretation. You DO NOT need to analyse language or pick out word choices for this question.
3 2 15mins You will be asked to analyse the writer's use of language in a section one text. Check which section of the text you need to
focus on and draw a box/line around it. Check the exact focus of the question and select 3-4 examples of interesting language
to comment on. These can be words, techniques or both. Clearly explore the effect of the language you have chosen. Use short
quotations and make sure you explore the effect of word choices, even if you are commenting on a technique. The
word/adjective/verb/adverb. implies/suggests... Write 2-3 paragraphs.
4 16 20mins This question will ask you to compare how the writers of the two texts convey their viewpoints. You need to identify what each
writer's viewpoint is and 2 examples of how they convey it (language/structural choices). Write a 3 paragraph answer using
comparison discourse markers similarly, in contrast, in comparison, however, whereas, etc
Paragraph 1: explain what each writer's viewpoint is, using embeadded quotations, and explain how they are different
Paragraph 2: write about one example of language use in Source A and analyse its effect then compare with an example of
language use in Source B
Paragraph 3: write about a different example of language use in Source A and analyse its effect then compare with a different
example of language use in Source B
Use a y spare time to proofread your writing response for SPaG and check that all of your answers are clearly expressed.
