1. Year 11 Information Evening
GCSE English Language (8700)
GCSE English Literature (8702)

2. Paper 1 – Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing
Paper 1 – Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing. 1 hour and 45 minutes (80 marks)
Section A
Reading
(40 marks)
15 minutes reading source material
(Literature Fiction Text – 20th or 21st Century prose fiction)
45 minutes answering 4 reading questions:
1) Information retrieval (4 marks)
2) Longer language analysis (8 marks)
3) Structure and organisation (8 marks)
4) Evaluating texts critically (20 marks)
Section B
Writing
(40 Marks)
45 minutes on a choice of 2 questions. Stimuli can include a picture and is, in some way, linked to Section A)
Content and organisation = 24 marks
Technical accuracy = 16 marks
The Language Exam
Paper 2 – Writers’ viewpoints and perspectives. 1 hour and 45 minutes (80 marks)
Section A
Reading
(40 marks)
15 minutes reading source material
(2 linked sources from different time periods – non-fiction and literary non-fiction)
45 minutes answering 4 reading questions:
1) Information retrieval (4 marks)
2) Summarising differences across 2 texts (8 marks)
3) Language analysis (12 marks)
4) Comparing writers’ ideas and perspectives (16 marks)
Section B
Writing
(40 Marks)
45 minutes. No choice of question.
Writing to a specified audience, purpose and form eg:
Content and organisation = 24 marks
Technical accuracy = 16 marks

3. Paper 1 – Shakespeare and 19th Century novel. 1 hour and 45 minutes (64 marks)
Shakespeare
Romeo and Juliet
30 marks
4 marks AO4
19th Century Novel
Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde OR
A Christmas Carol
The Literature Exam
Paper 2 – Modern Texts & Poetry. 2 hours and 15 minutes (96 marks)
Drama
An Inspector Calls
30 marks
4 marks AO4
Poetry
Comparison based on a cluster
(Power and Conflict)
Unseen
Analysis of unseen poem
24 marks
Comparison with other unseen poem
8 marks

4. Section A of Language, Paper 2
2 non-fiction texts (newspapers, essays, diary extracts, travel writing)
4 reading questions totalling 40 marks

5. Pupils are required to express a strong viewpoint
To respond to the purpose and audience specified in the question
Structure and organise their writing effectively
Use ambitious vocabulary and varied sentences
Achieve accuracy in their spelling, punctuation and grammar
Section B of Language, Paper 2
1 Question
No choice
40 marks

6. Section A of Literature, Paper 1
Romeo and Juliet
Passage question
4 additional marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar

7. Section B of Literature, Paper 1
Either Jekyll and Hyde or A Christmas Carol
Passage question

8. English Literature: 28th October English Language: 31st October
Mock exams
Language – Paper 2
Access and complete past questions on the P - drive
Use study guides to hone in on particular areas and answer questions under timed conditions
Write plans in answer to Section B questions. What arguments/viewpoints can you come up with against the clock?
Respond to any spelling, grammar issues identified through class and homework
Literature – Paper 1 Re-read Romeo and Juliet. Access a film version – Zeffirelli’s production is perhaps closer to the text than Luhrmann’s Make sure that you know the major events in each text and the order in which they happen Create character diagrams with key quotations for each character Make sure that you revise ideas around the social/ historical context of each text Plan answers to past questions

9. On February 25th and 26th , pupils will sit: English Language, Paper 1
After the October Mock Exams, there is a further wave of internal English Exams in February
On February 25th and 26th , pupils will sit:
English Language, Paper 1
English Literature, Paper 2
Therefore, work in lessons will focus on:
Revising An Inspector Calls
Returning to the Power and Conflict poetry
Working on ways to respond to Unseen Poems
Revising Paper 1 Language skills

10. The Spoken Language Component
Introduction
From first teaching in September 2015, GCSE English Language will have an endorsed component covering Spoken Language. This endorsement will be reported as a separate grade (Pass, Merit, Distinction or Not Classified) and will not contribute to the result of the GCSE English Language qualification

11. Language revision workbooks

12. There are a number of excellent study guides available

13. Wider reading of:
- Broadsheet newspapers
- Classic novels
- High quality non-fiction
is excellent preparation for the language exams