What do the examiners say? English Language Unit 2

How do I answer the bullet point on sentence structuring and paragraphing? It is not enough to describe the length of the sentences and the number of paragraphs.

Sentences – pick out examples of a range of sentence types. e.g. Exclamatory (!) Amazing! Questions – How many times have you wished for a different life? Use of direct speech / quotation – ‘I can’t believe it!’ I thought to myself. Statements (tell us things) e.g. Paris is the capital of France. Orders / Commands – Get outside and exercise! A variety of simple and complex sentences. (see next slide) And comment on how they contribute to the overall effect e.g. in Conveying sarcasm Shift of tone / mood To emphasise strength of emotions To convey humour.

Simple sentence One main verb and one idea e.g. It was snowing. Compound sentence Usually two simple sentences joined together with and, but and or. If you take away one part you are left with a simple sentence e.g. It was snowing and I stayed indoors. It was snowing. I stayed indoors.

A complex sentence communicates more than one idea. The ideas are not equal. One part is like a simple sentence, so it can stand on its own. The other part can't. e.g. You can't persuade me to go to town, no matter how hard you try. You can’t persuade me to go to town. No matter how hard you try.

Paragraphing – comment on Effectiveness of the opening. The conclusion Is there repetition in any of the paragraphs e.g. first and last? The use of link sentences to guide your reader, link ideas and to give your paragraphs coherence. One sentence paragraphs

Use PEE What not to do! The main weakness Candidates not explaining how the linguistic devices were intended to engage, etc. the reader. Use PEE e.g. Point – The writer presents a series of rhetorical questions. Evidence - ‘How is my social life, you ask? What is my weight?’ Explanation – These questions develop a sense of rapport with the reader and equally confront them.

What not to do! Answer the bullet points, do not write a discursive essay about YOUR OPINIONS on the topic. DO NOT comment on presentational devices (if there are any on the text).

Water Aid Question Explain how the writer tries to persuade the reader to donate money to Water Aid, through the use of: Emotive language Facts Sentence structure and paragraphing