Paper 1: Section B Overview (AQA GCSE English Language)
Revision Note
Written by: Deb Orrock
Reviewed by: Kate Lee
Paper 1 Section B Overview
This guide is an overall summary of AQA GCSE English Language Paper 1 Section B.
Overview
Paper 1 is called “Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing”. This tells you that it is the “fiction” paper. The whole Paper 2 exam is 1 hour 45 minutes long, and is worth a total of 80 marks (50% of your GCSE).
Section B is the writing section and is worth a total of 40 marks. You have one writing task to complete from a choice of two options. You should spend 45 minutes on this section of the exam and aim to write three to four sides of A4.
You will be given the choice of writing to describe or writing to narrate (this option asks you to write a story). One of the options will also contain a picture prompt to use as the basis for your writing.
There are two Assessment Objectives for Paper 1 Section B. These are:
AO5 24 marks | Communicate clearly, effectively and imaginatively, selecting and adapting tone, style and register for different forms, purposes and audiences Organise information and ideas, using structural and grammatical features to support coherence and cohesion of texts This is referred to as content and organisation |
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AO6 16 marks | Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuation (this requirement must constitute 20% of the marks for each specification as a whole) This is referred to as technical accuracy |
Here is an example of Paper 1 Section B from the November 2019 AQA exam:
Exam tips
The image is a prompt to encourage ideas beyond just describing what you see
You need to include additional, original ideas to what the image gives you
For either option, you need to focus on using a variety of techniques and linguistic devices to add detail, ambition and sophistication to your writing
Your writing needs to be controlled and structured:
This means you need to plan before you write – you will be given space on the exam paper to do this and you should spend about five minutes planning out the structure of your piece of writing
It is normally better to stick to one location and no more than two characters
If you are writing a story, then start at the destination (not the build up)
Your use of tense must be consistent
You should also be able to demonstrate the accurate use of a range of punctuation
For the highest marks, your communication needs to be both convincing and compelling – you need to engage the reader
Your paragraphs should be fluently linked
Think:
Structure – your writing has a clear and well-planned structure, with clear sequencing. Your piece of writing also needs to be complete in order to achieve top marks
Detail – your writing uses interesting and ambitious language and detail to bring it to life and engage the reader, such as figurative language
Focus – your writing should have a clear narrative perspective or focus, with a strong sense of narrative voice
RAMPOS
There are lots of figurative language techniques you can employ to give your creative or descriptive writing interesting detail, but a useful acronym to remember in the exam is RAMPOS:
R | Repetition | Of a word, phrase, image or idea. This is much more effective if you think of repetition as a motif that you use throughout your piece of writing |
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A | Alliteration | Remember, the words starting with the same consonant sound do not have to be consecutive. Consider the effect you are trying to achieve through the use of alliteration |
M | Metaphor | Metaphors can be as simple as figures of speech, but are especially effective where they are extended and developed |
P | Personification | A great way to create atmosphere at the start of your writing is by personifying the setting to your story or description |
O | Onomatopoeia | The representation of sound on paper should be more sophisticated than comic-book terms such as “boom”. It is also not helpful to put onomatopoeic words all in capital letters. Consider sound as a way of evoking the senses in order to create atmosphere |
S | Simile | A simple comparison using “like” or “as” should be used sparingly, as this creates more impact |
Please continue to the question-specific revision notes for more detailed guidance and advice!
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