GCSE
English Language
2.1.2 Question 2: 8 Marks
In this lesson, you’ll learn how to approach GCSE English Language Paper 1, Question 2. We’ll focus on analysing how writers use language in a specific part of the extract, exploring words, phrases, and techniques to explain their effects and secure up to 8 marks.
Paper 1: Question 2
In Question 2, you will be asked to analyse how the writer uses language in a specific part of the fiction extract. This question is worth 8 marks and targets AO2 (language analysis). It requires you to pick out effective words, phrases, imagery or language techniques in the given lines and explain how they create certain effects or influence the reader’s impressions. It’s not about what happens in the story – it’s about how it’s written.
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Create a free accountPaper 1: Question 2
- Worth 8 marks; focuses on AO2 – analysing the writer’s use of language.
- Focus on specific words, phrases, imagery, and techniques, and their effects on the reader.
- Always only based on specific lines from the extract; stay within that range.
Approaching Question 2
- Typical wording: "How does the writer use language in lines X–Y to…?"
- Task: Identify powerful words, phrases, imagery, or language techniques and explain their effect on the readerThe impression or response created by a writer’s choices. or how they achieve the intended description.
- Select 2–3 quotations; depth of analysis is better than listing many with no explanation.
- PEELPoint, Evidence, Explanation, Link – a paragraph structure. structureThe organisation and order of information in a text. works best: Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link.
- Spend about 10 minutes; aim for 2–3 well-developed paragraphs.