1. GCSE English Paper 1

2. Timing: 2 hours allowed in total Section A:Tests Reading Skills allow 40 minutes Section B: Tests Writing Skills allow 30 minutes for B1 allow 50 minutes for B2

3. Section A: Reading Two extracts – Literature Standard comprehension questions Looks at : Character Meaning Language Thoughts & Feelings

4. Finding Information: Firstly - read the text really carefully Secondly - read question to make sure you understand exactly what it's asking you Thirdly - use skimming and scanning skills and annotate the text by underlining or highlighting

5. PEE: P oint E vidence (a quotation) and E xplanation

6. PEE: Connectives Supporting an idea: However... therefore... because... but... and... furthermore.. also... in addition... then... as well as... next... whereas... in contrast... later... at first... similarly...

7. PEE: Connectives Explaining an idea: This implies... this suggests... which gives the impression that... this shows... this clearly shows... possibly... perhaps... this indicates that... obviously... this conveys to the reader that...

8. Questions: Character Focus – Show that you understand how the writer creates characters using language Explain and comment on words / sentences and why a writer has chosen them Eg: ‘If she could only cry now, cry for a long time over everything’ – Shows she is emotional, yet reserved, through the choice of the conditional verb ‘if’ and the repetition of the word’ cry’

9. Questions: Meaning Focus: how the writer conveys emotions and atmosphere through the choices of language and literary devices E.g. ‘Frank found himself advancing alone through a wall of fog’ – The writer shows horror by highlighting isolation and using a metaphor for the weather which affects Frank’s vision

10. Questions: Language Focus – show you understand how a writer uses language for effect Explain and comment on words / sentences and why a writer has chosen them E.g. ‘The gold was shrouded in mystery’ – T his word suggests that the treasure has been covered up, hidden or has links with the semantic field of death

11. Questions: Thoughts and Feelings Focus: consider language, character and meaning and how they contribute and how they contribute to your thoughts and feelings about the extract Look carefully at the task and what it asks you to do. Eg: Write about the whole passage or Write about part of the passage

12. Section B: Writing B1 Writing to describe No choice given One task Spend 30 mins on this section B2 Narrative writing 5/6 choices given Complete one task Spend 50 mins on this section

13. Section B1: Planning B1 Use the 5 senses Vary punctuation Include: similes, metaphors, personification, alliteration, emotive language Describe minute detail 5+ paragraphs

14. Section B2: Planning B2 Vary punctuation Include: similes, metaphors, personification, alliteration, emotive language Use speech sparingly 5+ paragraphs

15. Punctuation:.Shows the end of a sentence,Shows a pause in a sentence ;Shows a longer pause :Used before a list or when giving evidence “ ” ‘ ‘ Used around direct speech, a quotation or to show sarcasm

16. Punctuation: ? Shows a question ! Shows surprise, shock, humour or excitement … Shows words are missing ( ) Used around an aside, or less important point - Sometimes used informally to show a pause, or to link two words ‘ Shows possession or a missing letter

17. Section B: Proof Reading Make sure you spend 5 mins proof reading your writing Have you got paragraphs? Have you used punctuation? Have you varied your punctuation? Could you add anymore detail? Could you vary vocab making it even more interesting?

18. And Finally: Don’t panic! Do your best! and Good luck!