GCSE English

1. GCSE English Paper 2

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

3. Section A: Reading • Two extracts – Media & Non-Fiction • Standard comprehension questions • Looks at : • Extract One • Extract Two • Compares Both • Purpose, Form, Audience • Layout and Language

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: Point Evidence (a quotation) and Explanation

6. Text Types: PFA • You need to decide: • What type of text is it? (text type) • Why was it written? (purpose) • Who was it written for? (target audience) • These affect the content and style of the text.

7. 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...

8. 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...

9. Questions: Layout • Focus – Show that you understand specific terminology and the effect of layout e.g. headline, subheading, pictures etc… • Explain why the writer has chosen this layout Eg: The author has used bullet points in this leaflet to make it more accessible to its target audience, children and teenagers.

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. ‘dangerous predators’ the polar bears are described in this way offering negative connotations in order to make tourists wary of their surroundings.

11. B1 Argue/Persuade/ Advise No choice given One task Spend 40 mins on this section B2 Analyse/Review/ Comment No choice given One task Spend 40 mins on this section Section B: Writing

12. Section B1: Possible Tasks • Formal letter writing • Informal letter writing • Leaflets (perhaps to advise) • Article for newspaper/magazine • Speeches

13. Section B2: Possible Tasks • Report • Article for newspaper/magazines • Letter formal/Informal • Leaflet

14. Section B1: Planning B1 • Vary punctuation • Vary sentences used: simple/compound/complex • 5+ paragraphs

15. Section B2: Planning B2 • Vary punctuation • Vary sentences used: simple/compound/complex • 5+ paragraphs

16. Sentence Types • Simple sentences: one main clause (subject object verb) e.g. It was late • Compound sentences:two simple sentences connected byand, but, so, because e.g. It was late but I wasn’t tired • Complex sentences: main clause (simple sentence) and subordinate clause (doesn’t make sense on its own) e.g. Although it was late, I wasn’t tired.

17. Punctuation:

18. Punctuation:

19. 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?

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

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