Language Paper 2

• Overview:

  • 1 hour 45 minutes
  • 80 marks total
  • Two non-fiction sources (one from the 19th century and another from the 20th/21st century)
  • 5 questions split into reading and writing sections
  • 50% of language GCSE
• Questions:

  READING:

  1. True/False
  2. Summary
  3. Analysis
  4. Comparison

  WRITING:

  5. Viewpoint Writing
• Q1?

  • True or false statements
  • 4 marks
  • 5 minutes
• Q1: True/False

  • Shade in the boxes
  • Mistake --> cross out the whole box
  • Undo --> circle the box
  • Pay close attention, they will try to trick you
• Q2?

  • Summary of two sources
  • 8 marks
  • 10-12 minutes
  • 2 paragraphs
• Q2: Summary

  • Comment on either similarities or differences, not both
  • Don’t comment on the writers' thoughts or feelings
  • Use quotations to support your argument but don’t zoom in
  • Look at both explicit and implicit inferences
• Q3?

  • Language Analysis
  • 12 marks
  • 12-15 minutes
  • 2-3 paragraphs
• Q3: Analysis

  • Same as P1 Q2 but worth more marks (this means more depth is needed)
  • Strong thesis (all your ideas on the extract, your essay should prove this)
  • Judicious quotations (ones you can draw multiple interpretations from)
  • Strong inferences (using terminology and effective zooming in)
  • Comment on the writer’s choices
• Analysis Paragraphs


  1. WHAT - What is my inference?
  2. HOW - How is this evidenced in the text?
  3. WHY - Why does the writer do this?
• Language Techniques

  • Metaphors
  • Similes
  • Lexical fields
  • Personification
  • Pathetic fallacy
• Q4?

  • Comparison of two sources
  • 16 marks
  • 15-20 minutes
  • 2-4 paragraphs
• Q4: Comparison

  • Compare the writer's perspectives on the main theme
  • Comment on their thoughts/feelings/opinions/tones
  • Is there a perspective change?
  • Comment on the methods used by the writer
  • Consider what the writer is thinking, feeling, imagining or experiencing
• Methods used by writers

  • Metaphors
  • Similes
  • Facts/opinions
  • Tone
  • Purpose
  • Formality
  • Direct address
  • Bias
  • Anecdotes (short stories)
  • Hyperbole
  • Satire
  • Dialogue
  • Lexical fields
  • Personification
• Comparison paragraphs

  • Stage 1: What are the writer’s views?
  • Stage 2: How are these views presented? (Methods)
  • Stage 3: Finding these methods (Quotations)
• Q5?

  • Viewpoint writing
  • 40 marks – 24 for content & organisation and 16 for SPAG
  • 5 minutes planning, 40-35 minutes writing
  • 2-3 pages
• Q5: Viewpoint Writing

  • You will be asked to write an article, letter or speech
  • You must add your opinion
  • You must address your audience
  • You are writing to persuade so you must use persuasive devices as well as language techniques and structural techniques
• Viewpoint Writing Planning

  1. Trailer paragraph – give insight on the problem
  2. Discuss your opinion – focus on the issue
  3. Rebuttal – counter-argument,  provide solutions
  4. Hold accountability – to a place? Community? PM?
  5. Final statement – round up argument (detailed + powerful)
• MESI

  Moral issues

  Environmental issues

  Social issues

  Individual issues
• Persuasive Devices for Viewpoint Writing

  • Rhetorical questions
  • Repetiton
  • Your voice/opinion
  • Emotive language
  • Rule of three
• Language Techniques for Viewpoint Writing

  • Satire
  • Sarcasm
  • Metaphors
  • Similies
  • Personification
  • Lexical fields
• Structrual Features for Viewpoint Writing

  • Varied sentence types
  • Isolated paragraphs
• Analytical Verbs

  POSITIVE:

  • Praises
  • Admires
  • Supports
  • Appreciates
  • Promotes

  NEGATIVE:

  • Criticises
  • Condemns
  • Questions
  • Disapproves
  • Challenges
• Comparison Connectives

  • Whereas
  • However
  • Alternatively
  • Contrastingly