Introduction to GCSE English Joe Webster

The Syllabus  The exam board is AQA. You are able to access their website and download resources such as past exam papers, feedback from previous exams and information on Controlled Assessments

How you are assessed In order to pass this course you need to have completed  5 Controlled assessments (40% of final grade)  3 Speaking and Listening tasks  1 end of year exam (60% of final grade)

What am I studying?  This course contains assessments on both English language and literature

Literature: What will we study?  We will be studying the following texts for the literature side of the course  Macbeth-William Shakespeare  Brick Lane-Monica Ali  A GCSE anthology containing a variety of writers’ poems from past and present

Language: What we will study?  We will study a variety of non-fiction texts in preparation for the final exam which is weighted at 60% of the final grade  Speaking and listening tasks will require you to use good, clear, formal language and to respond well to others’ input and questions

Speaking and Listening consists of:  A group discussion set by the teacher (10-20 minutes)  A role play activity set by the teacher (10-20 minutes)  An individual presentation on a topic of your choice ( minutes)

The Final Exam  The final exam now accounts for 60% of the total GCSE marks, therefore early preparation and individual study outside of class have never been so important  The exam has two sections, Section A: Reading, and Section B: Writing

Section A: Reading  In Section A you will be given 3 different sources to compare (sources meaning non-fiction texts)  You are asked to show your comprehension (understanding) of the sources through well-written and well-structured responses to questions about the source, an example being the ‘homelessness’ question on your diagnostic assessment  You are also required to compare the language and presentational features of the sources

Section B: Writing  Section B contains 2 questions that ask you to describe, explain, argue, persuade or inform The first question is worth 16 marks and the second is worth 24 marks THEREFORE, timing is vital in the exam -How much more time should you spend on the second question? -1 ½ minutes per mark

What can I do to prepare for the exam?  The best way to prepare for the final exam at this stage is to read...lots!  Writing lots will help too, even if it is just in your diary!  Newspapers are an excellent starting point; try reading tabloids and work your way up to broadsheets if these are unfamiliar to you  Non-Fiction books will be beneficial as these commonly appear on the final exam

Useful websites The exam board’s website, containing past papers An excellent website with a dedicated Shakespeare page A website containing summaries and expositions on a range of literary works

Controlled Assessments  The Controlled Assessments (CAs) can be divided into 2 categories:  Responding to creative texts (3 CAs)  Producing creative texts (2 CAs)

1 st CA (Producing creative texts)  The soundtracks of my life. Write an article reflecting the music that has been important in your life

Mindmap  Create a mindmap on the soundtrack of your life