English GCSE Revision

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English GCSE Revision
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Section A - Reading
There are essentially 5 reading questions as Q1
has two parts. You are being tested on your
reading, not your writing skills. However, its a
good idea to write clearly and accurately.

• Use PEE for questions 1b and 2
• Use keywords from the question in your answers
• Use connectives to structure your answers
  firstly, secondly, in addition, moreover.
• Use connectives to compare and contrast

Contrast (different) Compare (similar)
unlike whereas in other words on the other hand alternatively instead equally in the same way similarly likewise as with
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1a. Finding information

• Stick to simple facts
• Relate answers to the question
• Answer in short sentences

This question offers the easiest 4 marks in the
entire paper! Make sure you get all of them.
4 marks (6 mins)
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1b. Inference - short

• Use PEE
• Use inference (explain what you think)
• Repeat key word in the question in your answer.
  Recent exam papers have been feelings, what you
  learn, interesting or surprising
• Use three examples only

4 marks (6 mins)
Say a lot about a little!
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2. Inference long (same skills as 1b but
longer)

• Use PEE
• Develop inference (explain what you think)
• Repeat key word in the question in your answer.
  Recent exam papers have been problems, what do
  you learn?
• Use 4 - 5 examples only

8 marks (12 mins)
Say a lot about a little!
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3. Language

• Focus on language, not content
• Comment on the effect of the language
• Use correct terms if you know them (imperative,
  declarative, rhetorical, pronoun, etc)
• Relate examples to key words in the question. If
  the question asks for two particular uses of
  language, say inform and advise, use examples of
  both.
• Use 4 - 5 examples

12 marks (18 mins)
Say a lot about a little!
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4. Presentation

• Choose 3 presentational features used in both
  texts and compare them.
• Describe the feature clearly, using correct
  terms.
• Analyse and describe whats happening in the
  pictures.
• Make a developed comment on the features effect
  in that particular text.
• Go for the obvious images, graphics, titles,
  colour, font, logo.

12 marks (18 mins)
Say a lot about a little!
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Section B - Writing
There are two writing questions. You will be
marked on the composition, structure, sentence
variation, punctuation and spelling.

• Past papers
• Jun 2011 travel website text, magazine article
• Jun 2012 radio script, letter
• Jan 2012 letter, magazine article
• Nov 2012 article, speech

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5. Short writing task (Inform, Describe, Explain)

• Be clear about purpose and audience
• Write at least a page of your answer book
• Include features of the correct type of writing
• Use clearly structured paragraphs with topic
  sentences
• Vary sentences for effect
• Use interesting, appropriate vocabulary
• Spell and punctuate accurately

16 marks (24 mins)
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6. Long writing task (argue, persuade)

• Be clear about purpose and audience
• Write at least a page of your answer book
• Include features of the correct type of writing
• Use clearly structured paragraphs with topic
  sentences
• Vary sentences for effect
• Use interesting, appropriate vocabulary
• Spell and punctuate accurately

24 marks (36 mins)
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Finally your chance to squeeze in a few more
marks!
Section B - Writing

• Check punctuation (particularly capital
  letters!) throughout.
• Check you have used topic sentences and varied
  sentences.
• Check spelling.

Section A - Reading

• Check you have answered 1a correctly. Dont miss
  out on these easy marks!
• Check you have used quotations.
• Check inferences.