Course Overview:In order to achieve the best possible mark in your English Language GCSE, it is imperative that you are fully aware of the course requirements. In summary these are:

Unit 1: Understanding and producing non-fiction texts: External examination – 60% of the total GCSE marks. 2 hours 15 minute exam 80 marks available

Unit 3: Understanding spoken and written texts and writing creatively: Controlled Assessment – 40% of the total GCSE marks 80 marks available

o Part a: Extended reading (‘Of Mice and Men’ or the ‘Sunlight on the Grass’ anthology) – 30 marks available

o Part b: Creative writing (two separate pieces of creative writing) – 30 marks available

o Part c: Spoken Language Study – 20 marks available

You must ensure that you liaise with your teacher regarding your controlled assessment folder and take active and appropriate measures in ensuring that it is as good as it can possibly be!

Now that you are aware of what you are assessed on as part of your GCSE, it is important that you plan to develop the necessary skills to do well in the final exam.

The exam paper explained:The total amount of time given for the exam is the same regardless of the tier (higher or foundation). Every student will have 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete the paper. All papers have 80 marks available.

Section A: Reading

In this part of the exam you will be given a series of non-fiction media texts and will be asked to answer a series of questions based on them. Ensure that you are comfortable with the following terms and analysing a text to comment on:

Higher Tier:

Question

Skills Marks available

1 Select and retrieve information 82 Presentation 83 Inference 8

AQA English Language: Exam Revision Toolkit

4 Language analysis and comparison 16

Examples of the types of questions you will be asked are attached below:

Foundation Tier:

Question

Skills Marks available

1a Select and retrieve information 41b Explain 42 Inference and deduction 83 Language analysis 124 Presentational features and comparison 12

Examples of the types of questions you will be asked are attached in the next section.

Guidance for revision:

Higher TierQuestion 1:This question tests your ability to read a text and pull out key information in relation to a subject laid out in the question. You should:

Aim to comment on 5-6 quotes from the extract and explain what you learn in relation to the question.

Avoid using PEEL paragraphs as this will causes the use of unnecessary connectives and words. You must be concise with your answer to ensure that you comment on a sufficient amount of the text in the time allocated.

Instead, look to embed quotes in to your answer. Examples are given below.

Example 1: E/D grade response

Example 2: C grade response:

Here is the mark scheme for question 1. Whilst this is only the criteria for Band 4 (the top of the grade descriptors), the strength to which you demonstrate each of the skills determines which band you fall in. Basically, the examiner will always mark your ability to demonstrate the same four key skills.

AO2, i English AO3, i English Language

Skills

Band 4 ‘perceptive’ ‘detailed’ 7 - 8 marks

offers evidence that the text is fully understood shows a detailed engagement with the text makes perceptive connections and comments about concerns and issues raised in the text offers appropriate quotations or references to support understanding

Question 2:This question focusses on your ability to comment on presentational features, or the way a text is laid out. You should:

Comment on the features specified in the question Explain how they are used for effect Link their use to the main ideas from the rest of the article (how it links in

with the main ideas that you have read about) You may use PEEL paragraphs for this question

Examples of student responses are given below. Decide which is better and explain why:

Example 1: E/D grade response

Example 2: C grade response

Here is the mark scheme for question 2. The same rules apply as question 1 but it focusses on different skills:

AO2, i English AO3, i English Language

Skills

Band 4 ‘perceptive’ ‘detailed’ 7 - 8 marks

offers a detailed interpretation of how the headline is effective presents a detailed explanation and interpretation of what the picture shows and its effect links the picture and the headline to the text with perceptive comments offers appropriate quotations or references to support comments

Question 3: Infer and deduceThis question assesses your ability to infer information from the text. You need to read between the lines and demonstrate that you understand what is being implied as well as specifically mentioned. In this question you will need to:

1. Demonstrate that you understand the literal meaning of the text and understand the obvious key points (basic).

2. Show that you understand various implied meanings (advanced).3. Make cross references in the text (bring up another part of the text to

support your current point).4. Explain the affects achieved on the writer.5. Support your points with quotes from the text.

As with the first two questions, you will be given two example answers. See if you can explain why the second one is better than the first:

Example 1: E grade response

Example 2: C grade response

Here’s the relevant mark scheme. Notice that there are some descriptors that are common across all questions so far:AO2, i English AO3, i English Language

Skills

Band 4 ‘perceptive’ ‘detailed’ 7 - 8 marks

Engages in detail with the experiences described in the text Offers perceptive explanations and interpretations of the thoughts and feelings expressed Employs appropriate quotations or references to support ideas

Question 4: Language analysis and comparisonThe final, and most challenging question on Section A of the exam paper tests your ability to analyse language in two different sources, compare their usage (similarities and differences) and their effects. In order to answer this question you need to remember that analysing language is like peeling an onion. On the surface you have the literal, or basic meaning. Behind that lie several figurative meanings; meanings that are not explicitly obvious. The main things to remember when answering this question are:

Demonstrate your ability to pick out certain words or phrases that are used for certain effects on the reader.

Explain these effects. These should always relate to the question. Make comments on general language use (level of formality, use of

vocabulary, sentence structure etc). Make comments on language use at word level. You will need to know

your language features to do this! Explain the effect on the reader. I’ve included this twice as it is so

important. Be specific when evaluating effects.

Exemplar 1: E grade response

Exemplar 2: C grade response

Here’s the skills descriptors for question 4:

AO2, i English AO3, i English Language

Skills

Band 4 ‘perceptive’ ‘detailed’ 13 - 16 marks

Offers a full and detailed understanding of the texts in relation to language Analyses how the writers have used language differently to achieve their effects Offers appropriate quotations or references in support of ideas with perceptive comments Focuses on comparison and cross-referencing of language features between the texts

That concludes Section A of the exam paper (the reading part). The second tutorial will walk you through the requirements of Section B (the writing part).