English Language Paper 1 PRE-GCSE walkthrough

Essential information 1 hour 45 minutes 15 minutes of ACTIVE reading time Section A = Reading (40 marks, 45 minutes) Section B = Writing (40 marks, 45 minutes) SPaG assessed in Section B (16 marks) Approx. 1 minute per mark

Active reading Read the texts through TWICE. On your SECOND reading: Highlight the line references and key foci of each question IN THE EXAM BOOKLET. Highlight and label language features ON THE TEXT ready for question 2. Mark focus shifts IN THE TEXT ready for question 3. Highlight evidence which SUPPORTS the given statement.

Section a reading

Question 1 essential information 4 marks Maximum of 5 minutes Testing your ability to read and understand facts in a text A specific line reference will be given – draw a box around this section and use only this section for your response. The question will provide a specific focus – anything else is irrelevant and will not be rewarded.

Question 1 how to answer it You will need to bullet point 4 facts from the text You need to copy facts from the text, but you MUST identify information that is specific to the focus of the question. Just copying out the whole of the specified section will score zero.

Question 2 language analysis 8 marks Maximum of 10 minutes Testing your ability to identify language features and comment on their effects A specific line reference will be given – draw a box around this section and use only this section for your response. You are expected to use accurate terminology Write 3 PEE paragraphs

Question 2 how to answer it TOP TIP If you don’t know a term, use ‘word’ or ‘phrase’. Guessing and getting it wrong will only serve to highlight a lack of knowledge. Question 2 how to answer it You MUST use PEE paragraphs You MUST identify specific language techniques, using TERMINOLOGY You MUST comment on the effects of the techniques you identify On line __, the writer uses [technique] to explain/describe _______. We see this in the quotation “________” The use of the noun/verb/adjective/adverb “____” connotes _______, which allows the reader to understand________. EXT: ‘This is further reinforced through the writer’s use of [technique]: “_______” which connotes _______ and emphasises ________.

Question 2 key terminology TOP TIP If you don’t know a term, use ‘word’ or ‘phrase’. Guessing and getting it wrong will only serve to highlight a lack of knowledge. Question 2 key terminology Noun/verb/adjective/adverb Simile Metaphor Personification Alliteration/assonance/sibilance Plosives Imagery

Question 3 structure analysis 8 marks Maximum of 10 minutes Testing your ability to identify structural features an comment on their effects You MUST refer to the whole source You are expected to use structural terminology Write 3-4 PEE paragraphs

Question 3 how to answer it TOP TIP The extract will usually be taken from the start of a novel, where someone/something is introduced, or from a point of rising tension. Question 3 how to answer it Use the ‘X’ approach Use PEE paragraphs You MUST comment on the effects of the writer’s structural decisions

Question 3 how to answer it At the beginning, the writer focuses on ……… to help us understand ……… This is seen in the quote “………..”. Opening in this way, the writer might be trying to ………, possibly foreshadowing ……… The text then changes focus to …………:. We see this in the quote “……..”. By focusing in on ……….. , the writer is able to create a sense of ………… The text then shifts focus again to explore ……….. We see this in the quote “……..”. This creates a sense of ……….. within the text, allowing the reader to ……….. The ending is foreshadowed by the opening, and it focuses on ……..: We see this in the quote “………..”. The introduction of/focus on ……….creates a feeling of ……., emphasising ……. to the reader.

Question 3 additional terminology Contrast Juxtaposition Flash back Flash forward Foreshadow Introduces/establishes… Dialogue

Question 4 EVALUATIVE analysis 20 marks Maximum of 25 minutes Testing your ability to critically evaluate a text A statement will be provided and you will need to agree/disagree with this (it’s always easier to agree) A specific line reference will be given – draw a box around this and focus on evidence from here You are expected to use terminology Write an opening statement and then 3-4 PEE paragraphs

Question 4: how to answer it Write an opening statement and then 3-4 PEE paragraphs Link each paragraph back to the statement in the question TOP TIP It will always be easier to agree with the given statement. I agree that . . . . One way that the writer shows …. is by using [technique]. For example “. . . . .” If we look closely at the [focus on a key word] ‘………’ it has connotations of ……. which could create an impression of…. This links to the evaluative comment because… Another way that the writer shows…. Is through the use of [technique].

Question 4 useful terminology Dialogue Imagery Metaphor Simile Symbolism Description of…

Section b writing

Question 5 Descriptive/narrative writing 40 marks (24 + 16) Maximum of 45 minutes Testing your ability to write creatively and accurately You are marked for content as well as SPaG There will be a choice of two questions (narrative/descriptive – could be two narrative, two descriptive, or one of each) One question will be based on an image

Question 5 Descriptive vs. narrative writing Focuses on the senses Focuses on a fixed moment Rich imagery ‘Snap shot’ of a moment NARRATIVE: Usually first person perspective Includes action Logical order and time elements Based on the narrative arc

Question 5 Planning an image stimulus - boxes Min. 2 sides of A4 One paragraph per box

Question 5 planning a narrative – narrative arc Min. 2 sides of A4 One paragraph per section TOP TIP Short story = full narrative arc Opening = exposition and rising action

Question 5 techniques to include Similes Metaphors Imagery Personification Onomatopoeia 5 senses Range of sentence structures Artful sentence openings TOP TIP High level candidates will also use paragraphing and punctuation to craft effects

Question 5 - proof-read! 5 minutes Have you got accurate spelling throughout? What about homophones? Have you used accurate punctuation? Have you avoided comma splices? Have you used a range of artful sentences? Have you used Tip Top paragraphs? Have your varied your vocabulary?

Final advice

Stick to your timings and know what to write where! TOP TIP Use your reading time effectively and PLAN your responses. Final advice Read the sources first – ACTIVE reading Answer question 5 first – the sources will help you generate ideas Answer questions 1-4 in order; they are designed to act like a ladder Proof-read your answers Stick to your timings and know what to write where!