English GCSE Revision

1. English GCSE Revision

2. Section A - Reading There are essentially 5 reading questions as Q1 has two parts. You are being tested on your reading, not your writing skills. However, it’s a good idea to write clearly and accurately. • Use PEE for questions 1b and 2 • Use keywords from the question in your answers • Use connectives to structure your answers: firstly, secondly, in addition, moreover. • Use connectives to compare and contrast

3. 1a. Finding information • Stick to simple facts • Relate answers to the question • Answer in short sentences This question offers the easiest 4 marks in the entire paper! Make sure you get all of them. 4 marks (6 mins)

4. 1b. Inference - short • Use PEE • Use inference (explain what you think) • Repeat key word in the question in your answer. Recent exam papers have been: feelings, what you learn, interesting or surprising • Use three examples only Say a lot about a little! 4 marks (6 mins)

5. 2. Inference – long (same skills as 1b but longer) • Use PEE • Develop inference (explain what you think) • Repeat key word in the question in your answer. Recent exam papers have been: problems, what do you learn? • Use 4 - 5 examples only Say a lot about a little! 8 marks (12 mins)

6. 3. Language • Focus on language, not content • Comment on the effect of the language • Use correct terms if you know them (imperative, declarative, rhetorical, pronoun, etc) • Relate examples to key words in the question. If the question asks for two particular uses of language, say inform and advise, use examples of both. • Use 4 - 5 examples Say a lot about a little! 12 marks (18 mins)

7. 4. Presentation • Choose 3 presentational features used in both texts and compare them. • Describe the feature clearly, using correct terms. • Analyse and describe what’s happening in the pictures. • Make a developed comment on the feature’s effect in that particular text. • Go for the obvious: images, graphics, titles, colour, font, logo. Say a lot about a little! 12 marks (18 mins)

8. Section B - Writing There are two writing questions. You will be marked on the composition, structure, sentence variation, punctuation and spelling. Past papers: Jun 2011: travel website text, magazine article Jun 2012: radio script, letter Jan 2012: letter, magazine article Nov 2012: article, speech

9. 5. Short writing task (Inform, Describe, Explain) • Be clear about purpose and audience • Write at least a page of your answer book • Include features of the correct type of writing • Use clearly structured paragraphs with topic sentences • Vary sentences for effect • Use interesting, appropriate vocabulary • Spell and punctuate accurately 16 marks (24 mins)

10. 6. Long writing task (argue, persuade) • Be clear about purpose and audience • Write at least a page of your answer book • Include features of the correct type of writing • Use clearly structured paragraphs with topic sentences • Vary sentences for effect • Use interesting, appropriate vocabulary • Spell and punctuate accurately 24 marks (36 mins)

11. Finally… your chance to squeeze in a few more marks! Section B - Writing • Check punctuation (particularly capital letters!) throughout. • Check you have used topic sentences and varied sentences. • Check spelling. Section A - Reading • Check you have answered 1a correctly. Don’t miss out on these easy marks! • Check you have used quotations. • Check inferences.