1. English Language
Top Tips
May 2018

2. English Language Paper 1
Give yourself 5 minutes to read through the source.
Section A:
Question 1: 5 minutes
Question 2: 10 minutes
Question 3: 10 minutes
Question 4: 20 minutes
Section B:
Question 5: 45 minutes
Make sure you spend 5-10 minutes to plan your writing – what descriptive writing could you use?

3. Question 1 – List 4 things Focus on the lines stated
Highlight the key words in the question – what are you being asked to identify?
You can use direct quotes or paraphrase. If you paraphrase it must be focused on the question

4. Question 2 - Language
Fully answer the question and provide effect straight away. The effects should drive your response.
Sophisticated use of language.
Analyse the language choice – what does it infer, and as a result what effects are crafted?
Ensure you provide multiple effects.

5. Question 3 - Structure
Ensure you check what genre the extract is taken from and where it would be positioned in the novel as a whole – this will help you to explain the writer’s choices and effects produced
The examiner is looking for the same skill as Q2 – effect of structural choices should be driving your answer
The quality of the effect is the most important
You must explain WHY the writer has made that structural choice – why is it significant to the extract as a whole?

6. Question 3 – Structural Features
Zooming in from something big to much smaller (or vice versa)
Shifting between times or places
Sudden or gradual introduction of new characters at significant points
Moving from inside to wider outside world (or vice versa) – like in the Jamaica Inn extract
Combining external actions with internal thoughts – for example the use of flashbacks

7. Question 3 – Structural Features
Switching between different points of view
Developing and reiterating: focusing on point of view by expanding or repeating it
Circular structure
Positioning of key sentences and their impact on the whole text – why is it used at the point? What effect would that have? Why, what contribution does it provide to the extract as a whole?

8. Question 3 - Structure
Just like with Q2, effects need to drive your answer.
Don’t analyse language, this is not what you are being assessed on. It is worth no marks and a waste of time.
Aim to discuss sophisticated structural choices – motif, symbols, cyclical narrative…

9. Question 4 - Evaluate Focus on the statement provided
‘What?’ – what is your interpretation of the content?
‘How?’ – how is that created? What methods does the writer use? What effects are crafted?
Approach this question like you do for your literature – it wants your opinion and for you to justify through evidence!

10. Question 4 - Evaluate
Precise, relevant quotations used to support opinion
Examining multiple methods in close detail

11. Question 5 – Descriptive/Narrative Writing
If you choose to complete a descriptive piece of writing, the picture is there to ‘suggest’ ideas. You don’t just have to stick to the picture. If you do, you could limit yourself.
The quality of your communication is the most important. Always read back through your writing: are you being clear?
Use a range of sentence types and, perhaps more importantly, structures – they feature on both parts of the mark scheme for this section (AO5 and AO6).

12. Question 5 – Descriptive/Narrative Writing
Ambitious and sophisticated language needs to used – but make sure it suits your writing.
Paragraphs will ensure that your writing is kept clear
Go back through your work and develop/improve. Examiners like to see this process!

13. English Language Paper 2
Give yourself 5-10 minutes to read through both sources. What is the viewpoint and perspective in both?
Section A:
Question 1: 5 minutes
Question 2: 10 minutes
Question 3: 10 minutes
Question 4: 20 minutes
Section B:
Question 5: 45 minutes
Spend 5-10 minutes planning your writing – who are you? Why do you care? Avoid being yourself!

14. Question 1 – True or False?
In this question you are to shade in the box of the 4 true statements
What if I make a mistake?
If you make an error cross out the entire box
If you change your mind and decide you were right the first time, put a circle around the box

15. Question 2 - Summarise
This question can be similarities or differences – read your question carefully to ensure you know which you should focus on
There is no requirement to mention the writer in this question
You do not need to analyse methods, doing so is a waste of time and will gain you no marks
You must interpret quotations - the more developed = the more marks!
You must use comparative language
To achieve top band: after you have talked about source A and you bring in your comparative point about source B, you should use comparative language throughout your paragraph. Constantly link and compare back to source A.

16. Question 2 - Summarise
Make perceptive interpretations – reflect, think outside the box
Focus on differences (or similarities, depending on question) with perceptive interpretations embedded
Precise quotations

17. Question 3 - Language
Ensure your point is incredibly clear and focused on how something is presented and the effect this presentation has
Keep focused on what the question wants you to discuss – link effects back
If you look at single words as part of a semantic/lexical field you must explore each word within the context of the sentence it has been taken from
Always link to effect

18. Question 3 - Language
Fully answer the question and provide effect straight away. The effects should drive your response.
Sophisticated use of language.
Analyse the language choice – what does it infer, and as a result what effects are crafted?
Ensure you provide multiple effects.

19. Question 4 - Compare
Ensure you focus on writers’ thoughts, feelings and attitudes
After you have analysed source A, and you are writing about source B, use comparative language throughout this paragraph, constantly making links between the viewpoints and perspectives and the methods used
If there is a shift in a writers’ viewpoint and perspective, ensure you acknowledge it, but with an awareness of their overall VP/perspective

20. Question 4 - Compare Use of connectives to highlight comparison
Examines methods in close detail for interpretations and effects
Show a perceptive understanding of the writer’s ideas and perspectives

21. Question 5 – Opinion Writing
Ensure you are clear and that your work makes sense- this is vital to get out of level 2
Do not make careless SPaG errors
Vocabulary is hugely important- use a range of ambitious word choices
Use a range of sentence structures
Content is key to top bands; adopt a voice; structure it convincingly; give the examiner something a little bit different- something that will stand out from a pile of 500 exams

22. Question 5 – Opinion Writing
Take on a persona – don’t be yourself!
Use of punctuation to aid tone
Use of structure to guide reader – for example, short paragraphs