1. Edexcel English Language Paper 1: Approach
Monday, 17 September 2018
Jonathan Peel JLS 2017

2. A new examination: A new format
Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
INCLUDES 15 minutes ‘reading time’- this is NEW! Use it consciously
2 sections, each worth 45 marks
Section A: Unseen and prepared non fiction
Section B: Transactional writing
Jonathan Peel JLS 2017

3. Assessment overview : from Edexcel….
Paper 1 assesses 60% of the total English Language (Specification A)qualification and assesses Reading (30%) and Writing (30%).
There will be two sections in the paper.
Section A: Non-fiction.
Students are advised to allocate 60 minutes plus 15 minutes of reading time to Section A.
• There will be a mixture of short and long-answer questions related to a non-fiction text from Part 1 of the Pearson Edexcel International IGCSE English Anthology and one previously unseen extract.
Students will answer all questions in this section.
• Total of 45 marks for this section. Questions will test the following assessment objectives:
AO1
read and understand a variety of texts, selecting and interpreting information, ideas and perspectives
AO2
understand and analyse how writers use linguistic and structural devices to achieve their effects
AO3
explore links and connections between writers’ ideas and perspectives, as well as how these are conveyed
Section B: Transactional Writing
•Students are advised to allocate 60minutes to Section B.
•There will be one writing task, based on a choice of two prompts involving a given audience, form or purpose.
•Students will answer one question in this section.
•Total of 45marks for this section. Questions will test the following assessment objectives:
AO4
communicate effectively and imaginatively, adapting form, tone and register of writing for specific purposes and audiences
AO5
write clearly, using a range of vocabulary and sentence structures, with appropriate paragraphing and accurate spelling, grammar and punctuation.
Jonathan Peel JLS 2017

4. Section A: 60 minutes plus 15 minutes reading time.
Use your clocks and watches and police your timings closely.
No fixed number of questions BUT the long comparison is worth 22 marks and the analysis of the prepared passage is worth 12. The rest of the marks will be built up from a number of shorter questions to add up to 45.
Reading Time: should be plenty for the unseen passage . Ideally, save some to refresh the prepared passage.
Reading 1: for sense and comprehension. Annotate at this stage for obvious structural and stylistic features – shifts to direct speech, long or short paragraphs and so on.
Reading 2: Before this reading, look at the short answer questions. Use this reading to answer the short answer questions. Annotate for literary devices – remember that the comparative question will always have a ‘how does…?’ stem and focus on writer’s craft.
Then:…
Jonathan Peel JLS 2017

5. Section A: 60 minutes plus 15 minutes reading time. (2)
You must not ignore structure. The placing of material for maximum effect.
Remind yourself of the prepared passage. NOTE: if you have not revised these passages you will be in serious trouble regarding time. They should be as second nature to you.
Plan your response quickly and write an answer with quotations to answer the specific question asked.
The long question must be planned – there are too many marks at stake!
Remember to compare like with like in a comparison and also that differences and similarities should be included.
You must quote in the response and I recommend using the unseen passage as your first text. It will show stronger engagement with the material in the paper.
AO2:Understand and analyse how writers use linguistic and structural devices to achieve their effects
AO3: explore links and connections between writers’ ideas and perspectives, as well as how these are conveyed.
Jonathan Peel JLS 2017
Consider the purpose of the writing from the writer’s perspective

6. In the exam Timing is critical. Think of the marks….
22 marks: longest question – longest time
12 marks next longest….
The ‘shrapnel’ or ‘millionaire questions; as quickly and accurately as possible…
22 mark comparison
25-30 minutes
12 mark prepared analysis
15-20 minutes
‘In your own words’
10-15 minutes (including a quick plan to focus)
Short questions
As little as possible – during ‘reading time’
Jonathan Peel JLS 2017

7. Section B: Transactional writing
Edexcel recommend 1 hour.
This does not mean 1 hour of writing a structure-less and directionless piece of work.
You have ample time to plan and to review/edit the completed work.
Clear your mind; choose your task and plan.
Depending on the task, think about models you have recently read/heard: newspaper articles, biographies, assemblies, lectures, lessons, letters (if in doubt ask your parents for examples of business letters).
Jonathan Peel JLS 2017

8. TRANSACTION
The term given to writing involving a ‘given audience, form or purpose’.
It is vital this emerges in your writing.
Tone or register must vary depending on audience – the level of informality and balance between personal and a more objective response needs to be recognised.
The form is equally vital – each format has a specific form which must be shown to the examiner – remember that letters and speeches in particular need to show this at the end as well as the beginning.
Jonathan Peel JLS 2017

9. Possible tasks task comment Speech
1st person, uses audience and engages by 2nd person and 1st plural, may be less formal depending on audience, contains anecdote, may use RQs as a means to engage. Greet and say farewell. Any questions?
Letter
Register determined by recipient, 1st person information at opening, needs evidence – use quotations – dear… yours… sign on and off! IED structure
Review
Who, what, why, when + qualitative judgement and quotations… vox pop? Subjective.
Report
Highly objective, clear structure round IED. Formal in language and tone, use “” to inject variety. No need for qualitative personal response – show sources.
Article for paper/magazine
Headline, writing varies by task – magazine more entertaining than reporting. Broadsheet or tabloid?
Interview
Well chosen RQs as structural device. Answer can be less formal and show a clear 1st person subjectivity. Use answers in next question – linking… that’s interesting…. Moving on now…on that point.
Blog post
Headlng. Personal, maybe quite informal. Consider links to other posts
?????
Possible tasks
Jonathan Peel JLS 2017

10. Structure is rewarded
Plan for this. Think about the dominant Inform, Explain, Describe literary features. These are not the only writing-types you will need, but they will help to structure your work.
Plan by using your knowledge of the Anthology of texts. Get used to recognising the IED elements in each paragraph to see how the passages are structured.
NOTE: ‘express your views’ does not mean ‘persuade’ – you are being objective and analytical, not trying to gain support. Avoid too many RQs and use language –well chosen verbs and adjectives/adverbs to make your point.
Jonathan Peel JLS 2017

11. We can’t avoid SPAG
In this question SPAG is worth 18 marks out of 45. That’s 20% of the whole paper or 40% of this question. It is also 12% of your entire IGCSE grade.
In other words, a very low SPAG mark will result in a student being unable to gain an 8 or a 9. It is imperative that you become editors and proof readers.
Words regarded as common, and common homophones need to be absolutely correct. There is less punishment for mis-spelling an advanced vocabulary.
Likewise, it is clear that a wide range of punctuation is required for the higher bands. It is not enough to scatter a few full stops, commas and question marks – think about punctuation for effect and use it consciously.
Common slips include the RQs which do not get question marks and short, powerful sentences which do not receive exclamation marks…
Jonathan Peel JLS 2017

12. Punctuation Taken from Key Stage 2 material.
Where do you fit in? You need to familiar with the use of each of these elements of punctuation.
You should practice using them in your writing.
Jonathan Peel JLS 2017

13. In the exam Watch your time carefully.
I suggest aiming to write for around minutes. Plan and edit for 10 minutes each.
PLAN: note the transactional task and audience; know how you are going to end before you start writing – a structure needs to be clear from the outset. Have you considered which of the TRAPPERS features you will use? Do you know how you are going to get direct speech into the writing?
Proof read with care. Double check the words you know you find hard. Question your punctuation and adjust if necessary to add impact.
Jonathan Peel JLS 2017