GCSE Eng. Lang. paper 2 top tips!
okay, english language paper 2 tips:
Question 1: try and prove that the ones you don't think are right are wrong, if that makes sense? like say you think that ABCD are right, try to prove EFGH are wrong
Question 2: i could be wrong, but i think they always want a summary of the differences between the two sources. so i like to do 2-3 (preferably 3) paragraphs on the differences. also, make sure its differences in what the question is asking, for example differences in the weather or personalities or whatever, and that you're not analysing language! i do that accidentally all the time
Question 3: i think most of the UK uses some sort of PEE/PEEZAE/PEEZATE/PEEL paragraphs? i use these, but i like to have my first sentence be my point, second the quote, which functions as the evidence, and then i start the third with: "The use of this ____________ shows the reader / gives the reader the effect that ___________. and then i go from there with however many more sentences i think it needs. don't forget to link back to the question at the end of the paragraph, by saying something like: "Therefore, the author presents __________ as _________ because ___________" also, remember that question 3 is usually: "how does the author use [BLANK] to present [BLANK]", and i find question structure a good thing to revise. you also really want to be analysing the language in q.3, like metaphors, similes, juxtaposition. anything you can find and waffle about
Question 4: this is going to be on how the authors convey their thoughts and feelings, it always is. you need to find author's perspectives, and compare and contrast them. you can also compare and contrast the authors' methods. using at least one "both authors" and at least one "however" (aka at least one similarity and one difference) is best. i try to aim for about 4 paragraphs here
Question 5/Section B: this is worth half the marks of your paper, do not undervalue it. i find persuasive writing fairly easy, which i'm grateful for. but you know its always going to be one of these three things: 1. a newspaper/magazine article 2. a letter or 3. a speech. this is my fail-proof formula for these (i get 35/40 here):
1. introduction. start with three short, snappy sentences to grab their attention, waffle for a little bit, then end it with a rhetorical question to keep them hooked
2. an anecdote. basically, this paragraph needs to be a short story that is either true or made up that can help convince your audience of your perspective. make it emotional
3. statistics. don't mix too many numbers in there, english teachers don't tend to like that. but making up a couple can really help back up your point
4. OPTIONAL, do a really short one summarising what the previous two paragraphs mean in relation to your question, and why they help your point
5. undermine the opposing argument. state a different point of view, recognise others may believe it, and then argue as hard as you can that it is wrong, and give very good reasons
6. conclusion. bring it all together, and re-state your opinion. also, refer back to something that happened in the anecdote. this is called a cyclical structure, and examiners love it
also, throughout question 5, add in lots of semicolons, brackets (as little asides to the examiner - it helps them hear your personal voice!), dashes, persuasive techniques (like rule of three, personal pronouns, rhetorical questions/repetition). shove it properly chock full of them. and add a little bit of humour here and there. it really helps the examiner to feel more comfortable with you, and then makes them more open to your persuasion
finally for question 5, read a magazine article once a week from a website like the guardian. there are obviously other websites if you prefer, but thats the one our teacher told us to use. it helps expand your vocabulary and get a feel for what you're aiming for. and don't forget to add some flair!
Question 1: try and prove that the ones you don't think are right are wrong, if that makes sense? like say you think that ABCD are right, try to prove EFGH are wrong
Question 2: i could be wrong, but i think they always want a summary of the differences between the two sources. so i like to do 2-3 (preferably 3) paragraphs on the differences. also, make sure its differences in what the question is asking, for example differences in the weather or personalities or whatever, and that you're not analysing language! i do that accidentally all the time
Question 3: i think most of the UK uses some sort of PEE/PEEZAE/PEEZATE/PEEL paragraphs? i use these, but i like to have my first sentence be my point, second the quote, which functions as the evidence, and then i start the third with: "The use of this ____________ shows the reader / gives the reader the effect that ___________. and then i go from there with however many more sentences i think it needs. don't forget to link back to the question at the end of the paragraph, by saying something like: "Therefore, the author presents __________ as _________ because ___________" also, remember that question 3 is usually: "how does the author use [BLANK] to present [BLANK]", and i find question structure a good thing to revise. you also really want to be analysing the language in q.3, like metaphors, similes, juxtaposition. anything you can find and waffle about
Question 4: this is going to be on how the authors convey their thoughts and feelings, it always is. you need to find author's perspectives, and compare and contrast them. you can also compare and contrast the authors' methods. using at least one "both authors" and at least one "however" (aka at least one similarity and one difference) is best. i try to aim for about 4 paragraphs here
Question 5/Section B: this is worth half the marks of your paper, do not undervalue it. i find persuasive writing fairly easy, which i'm grateful for. but you know its always going to be one of these three things: 1. a newspaper/magazine article 2. a letter or 3. a speech. this is my fail-proof formula for these (i get 35/40 here):
1. introduction. start with three short, snappy sentences to grab their attention, waffle for a little bit, then end it with a rhetorical question to keep them hooked
2. an anecdote. basically, this paragraph needs to be a short story that is either true or made up that can help convince your audience of your perspective. make it emotional
3. statistics. don't mix too many numbers in there, english teachers don't tend to like that. but making up a couple can really help back up your point
4. OPTIONAL, do a really short one summarising what the previous two paragraphs mean in relation to your question, and why they help your point
5. undermine the opposing argument. state a different point of view, recognise others may believe it, and then argue as hard as you can that it is wrong, and give very good reasons
6. conclusion. bring it all together, and re-state your opinion. also, refer back to something that happened in the anecdote. this is called a cyclical structure, and examiners love it
also, throughout question 5, add in lots of semicolons, brackets (as little asides to the examiner - it helps them hear your personal voice!), dashes, persuasive techniques (like rule of three, personal pronouns, rhetorical questions/repetition). shove it properly chock full of them. and add a little bit of humour here and there. it really helps the examiner to feel more comfortable with you, and then makes them more open to your persuasion
finally for question 5, read a magazine article once a week from a website like the guardian. there are obviously other websites if you prefer, but thats the one our teacher told us to use. it helps expand your vocabulary and get a feel for what you're aiming for. and don't forget to add some flair!
i think i hit a word count somewhere, it wouldn't let me add this. this is for the aqa exam board, i can't say for the others
i hope this helps someone, good luck tomorrow!
i hope this helps someone, good luck tomorrow!
Further support for question 5 (if you’re someone who isn’t already expecting to get over 30/40):
After you’ve got the newspaper title or letter/speech welcoming out of the way, you want to follow this structure
Paragraph 1: “In our pandemic-stricken world of seemingly interminable misery, it seems we must be inured to further suffering, but yet…”
Paragraph 2: When (something tragic happens), when (something tragic happens), when (something tragic happens), then we will finally open our eyes to (why what you’re arguing for is good or why what you’re arguing against is bad)
Paragraph 3 (health of people): “what if it were your loved one/child/friend/you?” Then talk about how innocent people are impacted by what you’re arguing against (preferably say “innocent sons, daughters, mothers and fathers…” or something along those lines as this is emotive), then do a “not only… but also…” that elaborates/expands on what you spoke about in the previous sentence, then something similar to “blood stains that represent x/y (something relevant to what you’re writing about), sweat that represents x/y (something relevant to what you’re writing about; all washed away by soap and water” don’t have to use blood and sweat but anything along those lines as it humanises the people you’re talking about who are being negatively impacted by the question and it’s emotive. That’s as far as my structure goes for this paragraph, but write like another 6 sentences, make sure to focus on how whatever you’re arguing against will negatively impact the physical and emotional health of people, and make sure what you’re writing sounds compelling (easier said than done I know)
Paragraph 4 (health of the world): don’t have a structure for this paragraph, but if you can make this paragraph about how climate change will be negatively impacted by what you’re arguing against, and then how that will impact people on a wider a scale. If that’s not possible or wouldnt work very well, then talk about the implications what you spoke about in the previous paragraph would have on society and the world as a whole, for example if you spoke about the death of children then talk about how we as a species will be impacted in the future because of that, while still speaking about the question because that’s what will get you marks.
Paragraph 5: “… So, when we have finally finished galvanising support for (whatever you’re arguing FOR), when (something positive happens because of what you’re arguing for), when (something positive happens because of what you’re arguing for), then we can finally move forward in (something along the lines of making the world a safer place or giving kids a better childhood or improving the welfare of wild animals or anything as long as it’s relevant and is a positive impact relevant)
Important info: make sure you use a lot of posh words and use a variety of good punctuation (like colons), don’t mention any statistics as this won’t get you marks and looks bad, waffle lots but prioritise making it emotive and persuasive over quantity. I got full marks using this structure, albeit some of that was independent knowledge, I gave some of my friends this structure and they all got like 35/40 despite sucking at English. If you need any more help dm me
After you’ve got the newspaper title or letter/speech welcoming out of the way, you want to follow this structure
Paragraph 1: “In our pandemic-stricken world of seemingly interminable misery, it seems we must be inured to further suffering, but yet…”
Paragraph 2: When (something tragic happens), when (something tragic happens), when (something tragic happens), then we will finally open our eyes to (why what you’re arguing for is good or why what you’re arguing against is bad)
Paragraph 3 (health of people): “what if it were your loved one/child/friend/you?” Then talk about how innocent people are impacted by what you’re arguing against (preferably say “innocent sons, daughters, mothers and fathers…” or something along those lines as this is emotive), then do a “not only… but also…” that elaborates/expands on what you spoke about in the previous sentence, then something similar to “blood stains that represent x/y (something relevant to what you’re writing about), sweat that represents x/y (something relevant to what you’re writing about; all washed away by soap and water” don’t have to use blood and sweat but anything along those lines as it humanises the people you’re talking about who are being negatively impacted by the question and it’s emotive. That’s as far as my structure goes for this paragraph, but write like another 6 sentences, make sure to focus on how whatever you’re arguing against will negatively impact the physical and emotional health of people, and make sure what you’re writing sounds compelling (easier said than done I know)
Paragraph 4 (health of the world): don’t have a structure for this paragraph, but if you can make this paragraph about how climate change will be negatively impacted by what you’re arguing against, and then how that will impact people on a wider a scale. If that’s not possible or wouldnt work very well, then talk about the implications what you spoke about in the previous paragraph would have on society and the world as a whole, for example if you spoke about the death of children then talk about how we as a species will be impacted in the future because of that, while still speaking about the question because that’s what will get you marks.
Paragraph 5: “… So, when we have finally finished galvanising support for (whatever you’re arguing FOR), when (something positive happens because of what you’re arguing for), when (something positive happens because of what you’re arguing for), then we can finally move forward in (something along the lines of making the world a safer place or giving kids a better childhood or improving the welfare of wild animals or anything as long as it’s relevant and is a positive impact relevant)
Important info: make sure you use a lot of posh words and use a variety of good punctuation (like colons), don’t mention any statistics as this won’t get you marks and looks bad, waffle lots but prioritise making it emotive and persuasive over quantity. I got full marks using this structure, albeit some of that was independent knowledge, I gave some of my friends this structure and they all got like 35/40 despite sucking at English. If you need any more help dm me
Original post by planets-&-stars
okay, english language paper 2 tips:
Question 1: try and prove that the ones you don't think are right are wrong, if that makes sense? like say you think that ABCD are right, try to prove EFGH are wrong
Question 2: i could be wrong, but i think they always want a summary of the differences between the two sources. so i like to do 2-3 (preferably 3) paragraphs on the differences. also, make sure its differences in what the question is asking, for example differences in the weather or personalities or whatever, and that you're not analysing language! i do that accidentally all the time
Question 3: i think most of the UK uses some sort of PEE/PEEZAE/PEEZATE/PEEL paragraphs? i use these, but i like to have my first sentence be my point, second the quote, which functions as the evidence, and then i start the third with: "The use of this ____________ shows the reader / gives the reader the effect that ___________. and then i go from there with however many more sentences i think it needs. don't forget to link back to the question at the end of the paragraph, by saying something like: "Therefore, the author presents __________ as _________ because ___________" also, remember that question 3 is usually: "how does the author use [BLANK] to present [BLANK]", and i find question structure a good thing to revise. you also really want to be analysing the language in q.3, like metaphors, similes, juxtaposition. anything you can find and waffle about
Question 4: this is going to be on how the authors convey their thoughts and feelings, it always is. you need to find author's perspectives, and compare and contrast them. you can also compare and contrast the authors' methods. using at least one "both authors" and at least one "however" (aka at least one similarity and one difference) is best. i try to aim for about 4 paragraphs here
Question 5/Section B: this is worth half the marks of your paper, do not undervalue it. i find persuasive writing fairly easy, which i'm grateful for. but you know its always going to be one of these three things: 1. a newspaper/magazine article 2. a letter or 3. a speech. this is my fail-proof formula for these (i get 35/40 here):
1. introduction. start with three short, snappy sentences to grab their attention, waffle for a little bit, then end it with a rhetorical question to keep them hooked
2. an anecdote. basically, this paragraph needs to be a short story that is either true or made up that can help convince your audience of your perspective. make it emotional
3. statistics. don't mix too many numbers in there, english teachers don't tend to like that. but making up a couple can really help back up your point
4. OPTIONAL, do a really short one summarising what the previous two paragraphs mean in relation to your question, and why they help your point
5. undermine the opposing argument. state a different point of view, recognise others may believe it, and then argue as hard as you can that it is wrong, and give very good reasons
6. conclusion. bring it all together, and re-state your opinion. also, refer back to something that happened in the anecdote. this is called a cyclical structure, and examiners love it
also, throughout question 5, add in lots of semicolons, brackets (as little asides to the examiner - it helps them hear your personal voice!), dashes, persuasive techniques (like rule of three, personal pronouns, rhetorical questions/repetition). shove it properly chock full of them. and add a little bit of humour here and there. it really helps the examiner to feel more comfortable with you, and then makes them more open to your persuasion
finally for question 5, read a magazine article once a week from a website like the guardian. there are obviously other websites if you prefer, but thats the one our teacher told us to use. it helps expand your vocabulary and get a feel for what you're aiming for. and don't forget to add some flair!
Question 1: try and prove that the ones you don't think are right are wrong, if that makes sense? like say you think that ABCD are right, try to prove EFGH are wrong
Question 2: i could be wrong, but i think they always want a summary of the differences between the two sources. so i like to do 2-3 (preferably 3) paragraphs on the differences. also, make sure its differences in what the question is asking, for example differences in the weather or personalities or whatever, and that you're not analysing language! i do that accidentally all the time
Question 3: i think most of the UK uses some sort of PEE/PEEZAE/PEEZATE/PEEL paragraphs? i use these, but i like to have my first sentence be my point, second the quote, which functions as the evidence, and then i start the third with: "The use of this ____________ shows the reader / gives the reader the effect that ___________. and then i go from there with however many more sentences i think it needs. don't forget to link back to the question at the end of the paragraph, by saying something like: "Therefore, the author presents __________ as _________ because ___________" also, remember that question 3 is usually: "how does the author use [BLANK] to present [BLANK]", and i find question structure a good thing to revise. you also really want to be analysing the language in q.3, like metaphors, similes, juxtaposition. anything you can find and waffle about
Question 4: this is going to be on how the authors convey their thoughts and feelings, it always is. you need to find author's perspectives, and compare and contrast them. you can also compare and contrast the authors' methods. using at least one "both authors" and at least one "however" (aka at least one similarity and one difference) is best. i try to aim for about 4 paragraphs here
Question 5/Section B: this is worth half the marks of your paper, do not undervalue it. i find persuasive writing fairly easy, which i'm grateful for. but you know its always going to be one of these three things: 1. a newspaper/magazine article 2. a letter or 3. a speech. this is my fail-proof formula for these (i get 35/40 here):
1. introduction. start with three short, snappy sentences to grab their attention, waffle for a little bit, then end it with a rhetorical question to keep them hooked
2. an anecdote. basically, this paragraph needs to be a short story that is either true or made up that can help convince your audience of your perspective. make it emotional
3. statistics. don't mix too many numbers in there, english teachers don't tend to like that. but making up a couple can really help back up your point
4. OPTIONAL, do a really short one summarising what the previous two paragraphs mean in relation to your question, and why they help your point
5. undermine the opposing argument. state a different point of view, recognise others may believe it, and then argue as hard as you can that it is wrong, and give very good reasons
6. conclusion. bring it all together, and re-state your opinion. also, refer back to something that happened in the anecdote. this is called a cyclical structure, and examiners love it
also, throughout question 5, add in lots of semicolons, brackets (as little asides to the examiner - it helps them hear your personal voice!), dashes, persuasive techniques (like rule of three, personal pronouns, rhetorical questions/repetition). shove it properly chock full of them. and add a little bit of humour here and there. it really helps the examiner to feel more comfortable with you, and then makes them more open to your persuasion
finally for question 5, read a magazine article once a week from a website like the guardian. there are obviously other websites if you prefer, but thats the one our teacher told us to use. it helps expand your vocabulary and get a feel for what you're aiming for. and don't forget to add some flair!
Original post by Gcsestudentof24
Hi, I’m not sure if this is gonna be something that is easier understood or not but if you incorporate these same ideas but not following this specific structure is that still okay? Like I usually fit in anecdotes throughout but one para ab the specific story relating to the question + rhetorics throughout or would the examiner get bored?
no i'm sure that would be fine! i just like a specific structure to follow because it makes me feel more confident, but yours absolutely sounds like it would work
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