GCSE English Paper 2

Timing: 2 hours allowed in total Section A:Tests Reading Skills allow 40 minutes Section B: Tests Writing Skills allow 40 minutes for B1 allow 40 minutes for B2

Section A: Reading Two extracts – Media & Non-Fiction Standard comprehension questions Looks at : Extract One Extract Two Compares Both Purpose, Form, Audience Layout and Language

Finding Information: Firstly - read the text really carefully Secondly - read question to make sure you understand exactly what it's asking you Thirdly - use skimming and scanning skills and annotate the text by underlining or highlighting

PEE: P oint E vidence (a quotation) and E xplanation

Text Types: PFA You need to decide: What type of text is it? (text type) Why was it written? (purpose) Who was it written for? (target audience) These affect the content and style of the text.

PEE: Connectives Supporting an idea: However... therefore... because... but... and... furthermore.. also... in addition... then... as well as... next... whereas... in contrast... later... at first... similarly...

PEE: Connectives Explaining an idea: This implies... this suggests... which gives the impression that... this shows... this clearly shows... possibly... perhaps... this indicates that... obviously... this conveys to the reader that...

Questions: Layout Focus – Show that you understand specific terminology and the effect of layout e.g. headline, subheading, pictures etc… Explain why the writer has chosen this layout Eg: The author has used bullet points in this leaflet to make it more accessible to its target audience, children and teenagers.

Questions: Language Focus – show you understand how a writer uses language for effect Explain and comment on words / sentences and why a writer has chosen them E.g. ‘dangerous predators’ the polar bears are described in this way offering negative connotations in order to make tourists wary of their surroundings.

Section B: Writing B1 Argue/Persuade/ Advise No choice given One task Spend 40 mins on this section B2 Analyse/Review/ Comment No choice given One task Spend 40 mins on this section

Section B1: Possible Tasks Formal letter writing Informal letter writing Leaflets (perhaps to advise) Article for newspaper/magazine Speeches

Section B2: Possible Tasks Report Article for newspaper/magazines Letter formal/Informal Leaflet

Section B1: Planning B1 Vary punctuation Vary sentences used: simple/compound/complex 5+ paragraphs

Section B2: Planning B2 Vary punctuation Vary sentences used: simple/compound/complex 5+ paragraphs

Sentence Types Simple sentences: one main clause (subject object verb) e.g. It was late Compound sentences: two simple sentences connected by and, but, so, because e.g. It was late but I wasn’t tired Complex sentences: main clause (simple sentence) and subordinate clause (doesn’t make sense on its own) e.g. Although it was late, I wasn’t tired.

Punctuation:.Shows the end of a sentence,Shows a pause in a sentence ;Shows a longer pause :Used before a list or when giving evidence “ ” ‘ ‘ Used around direct speech, a quotation or to show sarcasm

Punctuation: ? Shows a question ! Shows surprise, shock, humour or excitement … Shows words are missing ( ) Used around an aside, or less important point - Sometimes used informally to show a pause, or to link two words ‘ Shows possession or a missing letter

Section B: Proof Reading Make sure you spend 5 mins proof reading your writing Have you got paragraphs? Have you used punctuation? Have you varied your punctuation? Could you add anymore detail? Could you vary vocab making it even more interesting?

And Finally: Don’t panic! Do your best! and Good luck!

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