Paper 1 Question 2: Model Answer (AQA GCSE English Language)
Revision Note
Written by: Nick Redgrove
Reviewed by: Kate Lee
Paper 1 Question 2: Model Answer
In Question 2, you will be presented with a very short extract (approx. 6-10 lines) from Source A. The question provides you with the opportunity to develop an in-depth analysis on a very short passage from the text. Whilst it is only a very short extract, it is possible to say quite a lot about a short piece of writing.
The examples below are all based on the following AQA GCSE English Language November 2019 past exam question:
Choosing what to analyse in the language question
When you first consider the writer’s use of language, you should look for patterns of words or phrases that create similar or contrasting characters, situations, thoughts or feelings. You should also explore the text by considering a range of possible meanings, readings, interpretations and responses. You can then explore how individual vocabulary choices contribute to the impact of these patterns on the text and on the reader.
Remember, choosing what to analyse in the extract requires careful consideration of the question. By following the points outlined below and selecting relevant and significant quotes, you'll be able to focus your analysis and provide a well-supported response in the exam.
Re-read the extract thoroughly several times, paying close attention to its use of language
Highlight your initial observations and any significant language details that stand out to you
Identify particular words, phrases and any language techniques that the writer has used
You can consider sentence forms as well, but only if you have something relevant to say about them
Choose two to three quotes that illustrate the writer’s effective use of language to convey meaning or which create a specific effect
For example, you could choose one word or phrase that you feel is particularly rich in meaning
Then note down at least two different ideas or connotations that your chosen word or phrase suggests to you
Prioritise elements that are most relevant and significant to the question
Choose aspects that best support your argument or analysis and which provide the most substantial insights
Create an outline by organising your ideas, evidence and supporting examples which allows for a logical and coherent flow of analysis
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Linguistic focus on individual words and short phrases is demanded by this question. If you write about unfocused lengthy quotations you will be unable to analyse the language. Further, using long and unfocused quotations leads most students to write about content rather than language. You should only use short, precise quotations to enable you to direct your analysis to the word or phrase that drew your attention and shaped your understanding.
Structuring your analysis of language
Annotating an unseen text can be difficult, but bringing your ideas together to form a coherent answer can also be hard. Every point you make in your response should be supported with evidence from the text and have an analytical comment. However, following a rigid structure, such as writing in point-evidence-explanation (PEE) paragraphs, can limit the range and depth of your analysis, so it is always best to avoid using this type of frame to structure your response. You should always consider which of your ideas would allow you to write the most developed analysis.
You should aim to structure your answer in the following way:
Develop a thesis statement
Based on your analysis, develop a clear thesis statement that captures your main argument or interpretation of the text
This will serve as the guiding focus for your analysis
Provide evidence and analysis
Support your analysis with specific evidence from the text
Explain how these quotes support your thesis and contribute to your overall interpretation of the text
Consider alternative viewpoints
Acknowledge and address alternative possible viewpoints or interpretations of the text
Engage with counterarguments and provide a well-reasoned response to strengthen your analysis
Revise and refine your analysis
Review your analysis, ensuring clarity, coherence and logical progression of ideas
Revise and refine your arguments so that it gives a cohesive and insightful analysis of the text
You should aim to write around three paragraphs for this answer with a different topic sentence in each paragraph focusing on a different aspect of the question.
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Keep referring to what the writer is doing. This will help you to stay focused on analysis and avoid describing or retelling the narrative. Focus on analysing why the writer made certain choices and how those choices contribute to the text's overall impact and meaning. Maintain a critical lens that examines the writer's craft.
Developing your analysis of language
Remember, developing your analysis of a prose text takes time, careful reading and critical thinking. To produce an effective analysis, you should aim to make your comments as detailed and specific as you can.
Here are some examples of how you might begin to write these ideas into a response. They focus separately on each of the bullet points from Question 2: words and phrases, language features and techniques, and sentence forms. Remember, the bullet points are only a guide – you do not have to cover all three in your answer.
Bullet point 1: Words and phrases |
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The first bullet point will always ask you to explore the writer’s use of words and phrases.
Analysing words and phrases for Question 2 requires an informed understanding of their connotations, denotations and inferences (see Paper 1 Question 2 Skills: Language Analysis for an explanation of these terms). Here's a step-by-step guide to help you analyse words and phrases effectively:
Identify key words and phrases
Begin by identifying the key words and phrases in the text
These may include nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs and any other significant vocabulary that stands out
Determine denotation and connotation
Analyse the denotations (literal meanings) and connotations (associations or implied meanings) of the words and phrases
Consider the context and how the words contribute to the overall tone and message of the text
Consider register and tone
Evaluate the register (formal, informal, colloquial, etc.) and tone (serious, humorous, sarcastic, etc.) of the words and phrases
Note how the chosen language contributes to the overall style and intended reader response
Note word choice for effect
Examine the specific words chosen by the writer and consider their impact
Look for words with strong connotations, technical terms, or words that evoke specific emotions or reactions
Analyse how the chosen words shape the reader's understanding and interpretation of the text
Connect to the broader context
Consider the broader context of the text, such as the writer’s purpose and the audience
Provide evidence and analysis
Support your analysis with specific examples from the text
Quote relevant words or phrases and explain their significance within the given context
Clearly articulate the effects and implications of the chosen language
Below you will find one point which could be made about words or phrases in the text. Some brief ideas which consider their intended effect have also been mapped out.
Key point | The use of words like “everywhere” show Zoe is completely surrounded by the snow, conveying how the snow is all-encompassing. | |
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Language features and techniques | words and phrases | Use of the word “everywhere’” conveys how the snow is all-encompassing |
Next, we will explore how you might write these ideas into a paragraph.
Level 4 Response (7-8 marks) |
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The writer uses language to convey the sense that Zoe is completely surrounded by snow through words such as “everywhere”. This is used to underscore the all-encompassing nature of the snowy landscape. The word “everywhere” depicts the overwhelming presence of the snow, which adds to the sense of vastness and how it envelops Zoe. The use of “everywhere” also suggests that there is no escape from it, which intensifies the feeling of the character being surrounded and immersed in the wintry environment. |
Bullet point 2: Language features and techniques |
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The second bullet point will always ask you to examine the writer’s use of language features and techniques.
Analysing language features and techniques for Question 2 involves examining the stylistic choices made by the writer and their impact on the reader. Descriptive and narrative language features involve examining the writer's narrative voice, characterisation and the use of descriptive details to create a vivid picture to engage and captivate the reader. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you analyse language features and techniques effectively:
Identify narrative voice and point of view
Determine the narrative voice (first person, third person, etc.) and the point of view (omniscient, first-person, etc.)
Analyse how these choices affect the reader's perspective and understanding of the text
Examine character development
Analyse how the writer develops the characters through dialogue, actions and descriptions
Consider the use of direct and indirect characterisation techniques and evaluate how they contribute to the reader's engagement with the text
Evaluate dialogue
Pay attention to the use of dialogue in the text
Analyse how dialogue reveals character traits, advances the narrative and enhances the text
Identify sensory language
Look for words and phrases that engage the reader's senses
Pay attention to descriptions that appeal to sight, hearing, taste, touch and smell
Examine vivid imagery
Analyse the use of vivid imagery in the text and look for descriptive words and phrases that create mental images and paint a picture in the reader's mind
Consider how the imagery enhances the reader's understanding and immersion in the text
Explore figurative language
Look for any figurative language, such as similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, etc.
Examine how these devices create vivid imagery, enhance meaning or evoke emotions
Analyse rhetorical devices
Pay attention to rhetorical devices, such as alliteration, repetition, parallelism or contrast
Analyse how these devices impact the rhythm, emphasis or description within the text
Evaluate descriptive adjectives and adverbs
Pay attention to the descriptive adjectives and adverbs used to provide detailed and specific information
Analyse how these modifiers enhance the reader's understanding of the characters or scene being described
Evaluate the use of figurative language
Consider the use of figurative language such as similes, metaphors and personification
Consider the use of sound devices
Note any sound devices used in the descriptive language, such as onomatopoeia or rhythm
Analyse how these devices enhance the reader's engagement with the text
Evaluate narrative techniques
Look for narrative techniques such as foreshadowing, suspense, irony or symbolism
Analyse how these techniques engage the reader, create tension or add depth to the text
Consider their impact on the writer’s overall theme or message
Provide evidence and analysis
Support your analysis with specific examples from the text
Quote relevant descriptive or narrative language features and explain their significance within the given context
Clearly articulate the effects of the chosen techniques
Below you will find several points which could be made about language features and techniques. Several language techniques have been identified and some brief ideas have been mapped out which consider their intended effect.
Key point | The writer’s use of repetition and alliteration in “snow and silence” conveys a sense of stillness and tranquillity. | |
|---|---|---|
Language features and techniques | repetition | Use of the word “everywhere’” conveys how the snow is all-encompassing |
It creates a rhythmic and melodic effect, which conveys a sense of serenity | ||
alliteration | Alliteration creates a soft and soothing effect, which conveys a sense of harmony and tranquillity | |
It presents a sharp contrast between the visual snow and the auditory absence of noise | ||
Next, we will explore how you might write these ideas into a paragraph:
Level 4 Response (7-8 marks) |
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In this paragraph, the writer employs repetition and alliteration through the phrase "snow and silence" to evoke a profound sense of stillness and tranquillity in the midst of the snowy mountain landscape. Joyce uses repetition to underscore the prevalence of the two elements – "snow" and "silence” – throughout. The repetition creates a rhythmic and melodic effect and by repeating these two words, Joyce immerses the reader in the tranquil and still environment which Zoe experiences. While the repetition helps to evoke a sense of serenity, it also serves to convey the all-encompassing nature of the snow. It helps to emphasise its dominance and the overwhelming stillness of the environment. Additionally, the alliteration in "snow and silence" with the repetition of the "s" sound creates a soft and soothing effect and conveys the delicate sound of snowflakes falling, which further immerses the reader in the calmness of the scene. The "s" sounds create a sense of harmony and tranquillity, mirroring the calmness of the snowy landscape and the complete absence of noise. The repeated "s" sound also presents a sharp contrast between the visual presence of snow and the auditory absence of noise, intensifying the description of the tranquil atmosphere. |
Here is another example of a language feature and technique:
Key point | The use of the metaphor, “I am an eagle”, conveys Zoe’s sense of liberation | |
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Language features and techniques | metaphor | It conveys liberation/freedom |
Next, we will explore how you might write these ideas into a paragraph:
Level 4 Response (7-8 marks) |
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In the paragraph, the reference to the metaphor of the "eagle" serves to highlight Zoe's exhilaration and sense of freedom on the mountain. By stating, "I am alive. I am an eagle.”, the metaphor conveys Zoe’s sense of liberation and the exhilarating sensation of gliding through the mountainous landscape. It also implies that she is embracing the untamed and adventurous spirit of an eagle, fully immersing herself in the exhilarating experience of skiing down the slope. |
Bullet point 3: Sentence forms |
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The third bullet point will always ask you to comment on sentence forms.
Analysing sentence forms for Question 2 can be difficult for students, but it simply involves examining the sentence choices made by the writer and their impact on the text. By understanding the different types of sentences and their purposes, you can effectively analyse how the sentence forms contributes to the overall meaning of a text. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you analyse sentence forms effectively:
Read the sentences carefully in the passage
Start by reading the sentences thoroughly, paying attention to their structure, punctuation and any other noticeable elements
Identify the sentence type
Determine the type of sentence, whether it is declarative, interrogative, imperative or exclamatory
This identification sets the foundation for further analysis
Identify sentence modifiers
Look for words or phrases that modify or provide additional information about the subject, verb or other elements in the sentence
These modifiers can include adjectives, adverbs, prepositional phrases or subordinate clauses
Analyse sentence patterns
Examine the sentence structure, considering whether it is a simple sentence, a compound sentence or a complex sentence
Analyse the effect
Consider how the sentence form and structure contribute to the overall meaning, tone and impact of the text
Reflect on how the arrangement of clauses, modifiers or sentence types enhance the reader's understanding or conveys a specific message
Connect to the broader context
Relate the sentence analysis to the text as a whole
Consider how the sentence forms and structures contribute to the writer’s style, purpose or theme
Provide evidence and analysis
Support your analysis with specific examples and quotes from the text
Analyse the significance of the identified sentence forms and structures, using appropriate terminology and clear explanations
Below you will find one point which could be made about sentence forms. One language technique has been identified and some brief ideas have been mapped out which consider its intended effect.
Key point | The use of short declarative sentences creates a sense of urgency and assertiveness. | |
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Language features and techniques | sentence forms | They create a sense of urgency. |
Next, we will explore how you might write these ideas into a paragraph:
Level 4 Response (7-8 marks) |
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The writer employs short, concise sentences to convey Zoe's immediate actions and thoughts, which create a sense of urgency. For example, "I am alive. I am an eagle." These declarative sentences create a direct and assertive tone. The brevity of each sentence adds emphasis and allows for a moment of pause, highlighting the importance of the statements being made. The repetition of the subject-verb structure ("I am") reinforces Zoe's sense of self and her connection to the present moment. The brevity of the sentences captures the immediacy and intensity of Zoe's experience. |
Question 2: Level 4 model answer
If you want to achieve a Grade 9, you should be aiming for a Level 4 response. Below is an example of a full-length Level 4 model answer:
Level 4 Response (8/8 marks) |
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The writer uses language to describe Zoe’s feelings in many different ways. Language is used to convey the sense that Zoe is completely surrounded by snow through words such as “everywhere” and this is used to underscore the all-encompassing nature of the snowy landscape. The word "everywhere" depicts the overwhelming presence of the snow which adds to the sense of vastness and how it envelops Zoe. The use of “everywhere” also suggests that there is no escape from it, which intensifies the feeling of the character being surrounded and immersed in the wintry environment. Furthermore, Joyce employs repetition and alliteration through the phrase “snow and silence” to evoke a profound sense of stillness and tranquillity in the midst of the snowy mountain landscape. Joyce uses repetition to underscore the prevalence of the two elements – “snow” and “silence” – throughout. The repetition creates a rhythmic and melodic effect and by repeating these two words, Joyce immerses the reader in the tranquil and still environment which Zoe experiences. While the repetition helps to evoke a sense of serenity, it also serves to convey the all-encompassing nature of the snow. It helps to emphasise its dominance and the overwhelming stillness of the environment. Additionally, the alliteration in “snow and silence” with the repetition of the ‘s’ sound creates a soft and soothing effect and conveys the delicate sound of snowflakes falling, which further immerses the reader in the calmness of the scene. The ‘s’ sounds create a sense of harmony and tranquillity, mirroring the calmness of the snowy landscape and the complete absence of noise. The repeated ‘s’ sound also presents a sharp contrast between the visual presence of snow and the auditory absence of noise, intensifying the description of the tranquil atmosphere. Finally, the reference to the metaphor of the “eagle” serves to highlight Zoe's exhilaration and sense of freedom on the mountain. By stating, “I am alive. I am an eagle.”, the metaphor conveys Zoe’s sense of liberation and the exhilarating sensation of gliding through the mountainous landscape. It also implies that she is embracing the untamed and adventurous spirit of an eagle, fully immersing herself in the exhilarating experience of skiing down the slope. Joyce also employs short, concise sentences to convey Zoe's immediate actions and thoughts, which create a sense of urgency. For example, “I am alive. I am an eagle.” These declarative sentences create a direct and assertive tone. The brevity of each sentence adds emphasis and allows for a moment of pause, highlighting the importance of her thoughts. The repetition of the subject-verb structure (“I am”) reinforces Zoe's sense of self and her connection to the moment. The brevity of the sentences captures the immediacy and intensity of Zoe's experience.
So overall, the writer uses a variety of language and techniques to describe Zoe’s feelings of calm, anticipation and exhilaration. |
Why would this answer get 8/8 marks?
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Key points to remember for Question 2
Always frame your essay with the writer in mind as the choices they make are conscious and deliberate
Spotting language devices within the extract is only creditworthy if there is some explanation of the effect of the devices
You should always comment on the impact/effect of a word or phrase rather than making a simple, generalised comment about how a technique works or does not work
Zoom out to big ideas in your analysis
Go from analysing language, or other writer’s choices, to the writer’s overall intention, or message
This should also link to your thesis and argument throughout
More successful answers link the selected details to the context of the whole text
Comments about the use of sentence structure and punctuation should only be made where it is possible to link their usage to a precise effect
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