1. ENGLISH LANGUAGE GCSE PAPER 1 (50% of whole GCSE)
Two sections…
FICTION EXTRACT STUDY – 25%
(Descriptive Writing – 25%)
Paper 2 is worth the other 50%

2. Qu1 – finding simple info (4m) Qu2 – explore language (8m)
WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?
In the exam, you will be faced with an extract from literature – you must read it and answer 4 specific questions on it.
The SOURCE will always be from the 20th or 21st century.
It could be from a novel or short story.
The lines will be numbered to make it easier for you.
Qu1 – finding simple info (4m)
Qu2 – explore language (8m)
Qu3 – explore structure (8m)
Qu4 – evaluate the text in a mini-essay (20m)
The 4 questions are always the same and will always be worth the same amount of marks each year.
We will explore MANY sources over the next 2 years so that you are fully prepared and confident!

3. Question 1
Question 1 will always be worth 4 marks and will always be asking you to find information.
It will tell you exactly where to look – get your answer from inside these lines ONLY!
You can quote directly, use your own words or paraphrase.
You will have space to write.
You are not required to analyse or use PQE .

4. Question 2
Question 2 will always be worth 8 marks and will always be asking you to explore language.
You ONLY have to focus on the extract they re-print for you at the start of the question.
Top of the mark scheme says:
…Shows detailed and perceptive understanding of language
• Analyses the effects of the writer’s choices of language
• Selects a judicious range of quotations
• Uses sophisticated subject terminology accurately
You must complete 3 or 4 PQE paragraphs of analysis (red bit only).
It is the quality of this analysis that will push you up through the mark scheme.
You will have space to write (which continues onto the next page).

5. It will always TELL YOU where the source is from (which makes it easier to analyse structure).
Question 3
Question 3 will always be worth 8 marks and will always be asking you to explore structure.
The bullet points suggest ideas for you.
You have to look at the WHOLE text now.
You create 3 analytical paragraphs (red bit only). Choose 3 structural features and analyse them.
You will have space to write (which continues onto the next page).
Top of the mark scheme says:
Shows detailed and perceptive understanding of structural features
• Analyses the effects of the writer’s choice of structural features
• Selects a judicious range of examples
• Uses a range of subject terminology appropriately
The quality of this analysis is what will push you up through the mark scheme.

6. Question 4 Only focus on the bit it tells you to focus on.
The question asks you to be critical..
Question 4
Question 4 will always be worth 20 marks and will always be asking you to evaluate the text.
‘Evaluating’ is simply a blend of statements, comments and analysis (AO1 and AO2 lead you to AO4!)
Top of the mark scheme says:
Critically evaluates the text in a detailed way
• Offers examples from the text to explain views convincingly
• Analyses effects of a range of writer’s choices
• Selects a range of relevant quotations to validate views
You will have space to write (which continues onto the next page).
You will complete approximately 4 PQEs – blue and red bit.

7. Timings recommended by AQA:
The other half of this exam paper is writing skills. We have already practised these.
Question
Marks available
Timing 1 4
5-10 minutes 2 8
10-15 minutes 3 20
20-25 minutes
We will get used to tackling many tricky sources from the 20th and 21st century.
General practice first…

8. Writing to describe/ narrate
PAPER 1 QUESTION 5
Writing to describe/ narrate

9. This section is worth 50% of this exam paper (paper 1 English language).
…therefore, it is worth 25% of your whole English Language GCSE!

10. What is needed for an effective, crafted piece of writing?
In paper 1 GCSE Language, you will have to create a piece of writing that expects you to describe or narrate.
PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
In groups/pairs discuss and make a checklist in your books…
What is needed for an effective, crafted piece of writing?
USE OF DEVICES SUCH AS METAPHOR
VARIETY OF PUNCTUATION FOR EFFECT
SENTENCE VARIETY
CRAFTING
CREATING ATMOSPHERE
HOOKING A READER
LEAVING CLUES
SHOW, DON’T TELL
CONCISE STRUCTURE
Are these similar to the elements you came up with? There are many more! Add them to your list and we will keep this checklist as basic guidance for the moment.
Title

11. What will the task look like in the exam?
It will always be QUESTION 5 on the exam paper.
You have to spend 45 MINUTES on it – and this MUST include planning it first.
You will always have a CHOICE of 2 tasks. One will be based on an image.
You may be told the FORM to write in…although some descriptive writing doesn’t need a form.
It should be a polished snapshot of your BEST skills – AQA advice!
Don’t waffle!
Craft it.
The theme will be roughly linked to the sources you have to use earlier in this exam.
The possible questions could be:
2 descriptive tasks
2 narrative tasks
1 descriptive and 1 narrative
It is worth exactly HALF of the marks on this exam paper.

12. Advice… Narrative writing
If asked for an opening to a story, write the opening only! Drop clues and hook the reader; do not write the whole story!
Narrative writing may contain description and that is okay! Don’t worry if you blend these 2 sets of skills.
You may be asked to write an opening, an extract, an ending, or small narrative piece.
Descriptive writing
Be poetic and imaginative.
You need structured, mapped out, crafted paragraphs.
You often will not be told a form to write in (letter/ article etc.)
Try not to drift into narrative.
WHATEVER QUESTION YOU GET/CHOOSE MAKE SURE YOU PLAN CAREFULLY AND EDIT AT THE END.