GCSE English Paper 2 Timing n 2 hours

GCSE English Paper 2

Timing: n 2 hours allowed in total n Section A: Tests Reading Skills allow 40 minutes n Section B: Tests Writing Skills allow 40 minutes for B 1 allow 40 minutes for B 2

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

Finding Information: n Firstly - read the text really carefully n Secondly - read question to make sure you understand exactly what it's asking you n Thirdly - use skimming and scanning skills and annotate the text by underlining or highlighting

PEE: Point Evidence (a quotation) and Explanation

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

PEE: Connectives Supporting an idea: n However. . . therefore. . . because. . . but. . . and. . . furthermore. . also. . . in addition. . . then. . . as well as. . . next. . . whereas. . . in contrast. . . later. . . at first. . . similarly. . .

PEE: Connectives Explaining an idea: n 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. . .

Questions: Layout n Focus – Show that you understand specific terminology and the effect of layout e. g. headline, subheading, pictures etc… n 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.

Questions: Language n Focus – show you understand how a writer uses language for effect n Explain and comment on words / sentences and why a writer has chosen them n E. g. ‘dangerous predators’ the polar bears are described in this way offering negative connotations in order to make tourists wary of their surroundings.

Section B: Writing B 1 B 2 Argue/Persuade/ Advise Analyse/Review/ Comment n No choice given n One task n Spend 40 mins on this section

Section B 1: Possible Tasks n Formal letter writing n Informal letter writing n Leaflets (perhaps to advise) n Article for newspaper/magazine n Speeches

Section B 2: Possible Tasks n Report n Article for newspaper/magazines n Letter formal/Informal n Leaflet

Section B 1: Planning B 1 n Vary punctuation n Vary sentences used: simple/compound/complex n 5+ paragraphs

Section B 2: Planning B 2 n Vary punctuation n Vary sentences used: simple/compound/complex n 5+ paragraphs

Sentence Types n Simple sentences: one main clause (subject object verb) e. g. It was late n Compound sentences: two simple sentences connected by and, but, so, because e. g. It was late but I wasn’t tired n 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.

Punctuation: . Shows the end of a sentence , Shows a pause in a sentence ; Shows a longer pause : Used before a list or when giving evidence “ ” Used around direct speech, a quotation ‘ ‘ or to show sarcasm

Punctuation: ? Shows a question ! Shows surprise, shock, humour or excitement … Shows words are missing ( ) Used around an aside, or less important point - Sometimes used informally to show a pause, or to link two words ‘ Shows possession or a missing letter

Section B: Proof Reading n Make sure you spend 5 mins proof reading your writing n Have you got paragraphs? n Have you used punctuation? n Have you varied your punctuation? n Could you add anymore detail? n Could you vary vocab making it even more interesting?

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

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