GCSE English Language/Literature Revision Advice

1 gcse English Language/Literature Revision Advice Past papers available at the following addresses: English language - Only use papers dated 2012 and after Only use Higher tier papers English literature - Only use papers dated 2012 and after Only use Higher tier papers Some students will be studying towards Unit 2A and some towards Unit 2B Exam Technique Timing / Organisation language Unit 1 (Comprehension) four questions in one hour: how long per question? What process to follow per question, ie how long reading and annotating, how long writing.

2 language Unit 2 (Transactional Writing) two essays in one hour: thirty minutes per essay 7-10 mins planning; 15-18 mins writing; 5 mins checking. literature Texts one hour per text: extract question (20 mins 5 mins planning; 10-15 mins writing); essay (40 mins 10 mins planning; 30 mins writing). literature Unseen Poetry one essay in one hour 20 mins reading and planning; 40 mins writing. Types of Question language Unit 1 (Comprehension) - what questions (retrieval); how questions ( language analysis); comparative question.

3 language Unit 2 (Transactional Writing) article or letter or leaflet or report or speech or review. literature extract question (focus on language analysis); essay question (discussion of theme/character: also some essays focus on context). Exam Approach language Unit 1 (Comprehension) Read the extracts Read and annotate the questions Annotate extracts and plan response for retrieval question, look to make ten points for 10 marks; for analysis question, look to make 6/7 points with close focus on use of language .

4 Write response different lengths of time per question retrieval question more straightforward than language analysis question. Comparative question (Qu4) more straightforward as detailed reading has already taken place for other questions. language Unit 2 (Transactional Writing) First three words on the exam paper: PURPOSE AUDIENCE TONE Look at first task and then answer the three questions : what is the purpose? Who is the audience? What is the tone? Plan response: look to write five paragraphs (about a page and a half) map out an idea per paragraph.

5 Total accuracy for a C grade; accuracy plus variety for a B English literature Unit One Texts (eg Of Mice & Men) plus Unseen Poetry Extract read extract and annotate/plan. 10 marks available: look to make ten points within a clear overview. Everything focused on language analysis. Contextualise the response. Essay - plan carefully for ten mins: look to utilise all knowledge in answering the question. Look to write 2-3 pages closely argued. A mix of quotation and referencing of the text. Unit 1 text plus Literary Heritage text are focused on context.

6 Unseen Question two unseen poems. Can compare as you go along or can write about first poem and then do the comparison whilst writing on second poem. Revision Advice is available to students on the Student Gateway.