2.2.5 Question 5: 40 Marks (AO5 – 24 Marks, AO6 – 16 Marks)

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to answer GCSE English Language Paper 2, Question 5. We’ll focus on crafting persuasive and effective writing in different forms, developing clear arguments with evidence, and using accurate grammar, structure, and techniques to secure up to 40 marks.

Section B presents Question 5, the persuasive writing task. Here you must produce a piece of extended writing (usually an essay, article, letter, speech, etc.) where you express your viewpoint on a given statement or topic. This is worth 40 marks – half the exam’s marks – with 24 marks for content and organisation, and 16 marks for technical accuracy (spelling, punctuation, grammar, sentence structure).

You’ll be given a prompt, often a short statement or quote to respond to, and a specific form and audience. For example: “‘School uniforms should be abolished.’ Write a letter to your headteacher arguing your point of view on this statement.” Or “Write an article for a news website in which you explain your views on the importance of volunteering.” Here is what will be required:

• Clear viewpoint: You need to have a stance – either agree, disagree, or a nuanced take (e.g. ‘I somewhat agree…’, ‘I slightly disagree…’) – and stick to it consistently, supporting it with reasons and examples.
• Awareness of purpose, form, audience: Tailor your style to what the task asks. A speech might include direct address (“Ladies and gentlemen, …”, “Teachers,...”), an article might have a catchy headline, a letter would need addresses and a greeting (“Dear ...”). The tone should fit the audience: e.g. writing to a headteacher is formal/polite, writing for peers can be a bit more informal but still clear.
• Persuasive/argumentative techniques: Since these tasks often ask you to argue or explain a viewpoint, use rhetorical devices to engage and convince. This can include: rhetorical questions, emotive language, statistics or facts (you can invent believable ones), anecdotes, direct address (“Imagine if you…”), repetition for effect, rule of three, counter-arguments (acknowledging the other side then refuting it), and strong conclusions.
• Good organisation: A well-structured response with an introduction, clear paragraphs each covering a point, and a conclusion. Use connective phrases to link ideas (furthermore, in addition, on the other hand, however, for example, as a result, etc.).
• Technical accuracy: Use a range of sentence types (some short for impact, some complex for detail), accurate spelling, varied vocabulary, and correct punctuation. Show off some skills like using a semi-colon or colon correctly, or a dash for effect, as well as ensuring basics (full stops, commas in the right places) are all correct. You also want to keep the writing lively – avoid a monotonous sentence start like “I think…” repeatedly. Mix it up with questions, exclamations (sparingly, if appropriate), and descriptive lines if relevant.