1. English Language Paper 1
Language and the Individual

2. Paper overview
1 hour 30 3 compulsory questions 2 texts to respond to. Q1 – Analyse the meanings and representations of text 1, applying frameworks (25) Q2 - Analyse the meanings and representations of text 2, applying frameworks (25) Q3 – Compare the language use, linking to contexts and intended representations (20)

3. Timings
We recommend you spend approximately 30 minutes on each question
Give equal weighting to each

4. Question 1 & 2 - Introductions
Focus on the context, mode and genre What is the intended representation What are the affordances and constraints of the genre Use the exam board’s language

5. The analysis
Be as specific as possible as soon as possible – get into the quotation and analysis linked to writer’s intention
The frameworks:
Clause level – pick one which you know and can link to intended representation
Mode (may be covered in intro or fed into other points
Sentence functions
Phrase/Word level grammar
Semantics
Interaction
Graphology

6. Clauses Complex-compound, Complex, compound, simple, minor
pick one which you know and can link to intended representation
E.g. look for dependent clauses starting with AS, IF (conditional) or WHO (relative), WHEN
Link it back to the intended representation and the type of text it is;
E.g Text A includes the complex sentence - ‘whether you see it as aimless scribbling or street art, it is reaching out and therefore has value’. This represents ‘Cherrykat’ as open minded to others’ opinions, alongside conveying her views that graffiti’s purpose is to convey hidden messages. The complex sentence starts with the subordinate clause. This conditional clause foregrounds the fact that the user is aiming to address all other users despite their opinions on graffiti.

7. Mode
This can be largely dealt with in the introduction or as part of other paragraphs
Consider channel vs mode
Consider Computer Mediated Communication (Including navigation, hyperlinks etc)
Language change linked to internet context e.g. verbing (facebook, inbox etc), clipping, blending (tweeps), metaphor (home, shopping basket)
Consider degree of interactivity, spontaneity and register (low frequency lexis – formal; high frequency lexis – colloquial etc)
Discourse markers

8. Lexical/Semantic Register Connotations/associations
Semantic Field (health warning – there aren’t many)
Metaphor
All linked to representation and reader positioning.

9. Sentence Functions Declarative (rarely worth mentioning!)
Imperative (commands and advice)
Interrogatives (interactivity)
Exclamations (linked to prosody)

10. Phrase/word level grammar
Noun phrases – pre and post-modification
Linked to representation. Adjectives (evaluative, comparative, superlative)
Noun types – abstract especially
Personal Pronouns – 1st: I and We
- 2nd: You
- 3rd she, he, it and they
Possessive Pronouns – My, our, her, his, its, your, their

11. Verbs – dynamic and stative
- modal verbs
Active/passive voice
Tense
Adverbs – manner, time, frequency, place
Definite/indefinite article
Conjunctions – subordinating and co-ordinating

12. Interaction Adjacency pairs Overlaps, interruption Prosodic features
Monitoring and feedback
Non-fluency features
Face theory and politeness strategies
Discourse markers

13. Graphology (it’s last for a reason  )
Emoticons and emojis (link to prosodic features, mode and interaction)
Pictures, colour schemes etc – link to representation and positioning

14. Once sentence to rule them all
What can you pick out: Hello. This bottle used to be made from a compostable material called PLA. But we’ve made the decision to use recycled plastic instead. (Innocent Smoothie label)

15. Informal language and slang
Minor sentences
Non-fluent repetition
Starting sentences with conjunctions
Discourse markers
Hello. This bottle used to be made from a compostable material called PLA. But we’ve made the decision to work with waste materials, as this means we don’t have to use new materials. So this bottle is now made from 50% recycled plastic, and next year it’ll be 100% recycled, like lots of our current smoothie bottles. Anyway, we thought we’d let you know, so you don’t chuck this one on your compost heap. Stick it in the recycling bin instead, and help us to use it to make a new bottle some time soon.
Commas as micropauses
Pronoun use
Synthetic personalisation
Syntactic parallelism
Hyperbole
Non-standard features, punctuation and language