Paper 1: Section A Overview (AQA GCSE English Language)

Paper 1 Section A Overview

This guide is an overall summary of Paper 1 Section A, and includes:

• Overview of Paper 1 Section A

• Timings of Paper 1 Section A

• Embedding quotations

• Active reading

Overview of Paper 1 Section A

Paper 1 is called “Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing”. This tells you that it is the “fiction” paper. The whole Paper 1 exam is 1 hour 45 minutes long, and is worth a total of 80 marks (50% of your GCSE).

Section A is the reading section and is worth a total of 40 marks. You have four reading questions to answer and you should spend one hour on this section of the exam.

You will be given an extract from a piece of literature written either in the 20th or 21st century. This could be an extract from a novel or a short story, and will focus on openings, endings, narrative perspectives, description and characterisation.

There are three Assessment Objectives for Paper 1 Section A. These are:

The table below breaks down each question by marks, suggested timings and which Assessment Objective is being tested:

Many people think that it is not possible to revise for GCSE English Language. However, if you think of this exam as a group of skills you need to master and apply, then it is definitely something that you can prepare for. These revision notes are designed to be turned into flashcards to help you remember what you have got to do, how to approach each question and how to write your answers.

Here are some general tips about Section A:

Timings for Paper 1 Section A

The timings suggested at the start of this page for each Section A question include reading time. This is because it is helpful to read the question first, and then read the text with the question in mind. However, this is not the only approach you can take. You may prefer to spend 15 minutes reading the source text or texts, and then the questions, before you start your answers. In which case, you would need to follow these timings (you should aim to spend no more than 1 hour on Section A):

Reading time: 15 minutes

Whichever strategy works best for you, it is important to keep track of timing in the exam so that you leave enough time to complete the whole of each paper.

Embedding quotations

Embedding quotes from the text means that the quotation forms part of your sentence and it is broken up into the most relevant words or phrases that help you answer the question. Quotes that are not embedded “stand out” from what you are writing and tend to be longer. This becomes an issue if the quotes you are using to support the points you are making in your answer are so long it is not clear which part of it you are using as evidence.  

Embedding your quotes also adds maturity and sophistication to your responses, which is required for the highest grades. Using a formulaic approach to writing your answers, such as PEE paragraphs, can lead to having to write much more in order to get the same number of points in your answer.

Generally, quotes that are not embedded are introduced, using phrases such as:

• This is shown by the quote…

• We see this when the writer says…

• In line 8 it says…

• or if you start your sentence with a direct quote from the text

Embedded quotes form part of your sentence:

• The writer uses the metaphor of the character’s eye as a “laser” which “soon pin-pointed” Sacha. This implies that her eyes are a weapon and that Sacha is the target to be locked in on

• The character is described as a “big, ugly” guy with a “mean” expression on his face. The use of the adjective “mean” suggests that this is someone you would not want to aggravate

Embedding your quotations helps you to identify the specific language the writer has used and comment on as to why the writer may have used it. This helps to get you marks!  

Active reading

Active reading simply means reading with a focus, actively and critically engaging with what you read. In the exam, this involves employing a range of strategies, such as skimming to get the overall sense of what you are reading, scanning for specific information, using clues, highlighting key information and annotating in the margins of the source document(s).

Highlighting and annotating as you read are especially important, keeping the focus of the question in mind throughout. For example, if the question asks you about a character’s thoughts and feelings, then you should highlight anything in the extract that tells you what the character is thinking and feeling, and then write down (annotate) in the margin exactly what these thoughts and feelings are. These notes can then be used to form the basis of your written answer.

Please continue to the question-specific revision notes for further guidance and advice!