English Language - Exam Guide and Q4 tips

Hi all,

As you know, the next English Paper is THE BIG ONE!

Here's my exam guide:

You can find a past paper and mark scheme here. 

I have a series of powerpoints dealing with each question in turn. You can find these here, here and here.


Question 4 is the really tricky one, as you can see from this graph:

The key to standing out from the crowd on this paper is by being one of the 21% of students who answer Q4 well. The only way to do it is practise, practise, practise!

Tips for Q4:

1) Memorise this... and practise searching for these techniques (esp. the ones in bold):

2)  Remember the keys words in the question: language and its effects.

3) In order to make the most of your comparisons, be prepared to use both of these key words as starting points for comparison:

4) Using language as a starting point for comparison
   eg:

• Both writer's start with long, list-like sentences in order to....   
• In both articles, the writers use metaphor to illustrate their points...
• In Source 3, there is a lexical chain of words which remind us of movie monsters...
• Whereas in Ssource 2, the writer uses a string of powerful verbs to...
• Both writers use alliteration to good effect... 
• The language in Source 3 is often colloquial...
• In comparison, the language of Source 1 is fairly formal. However, there are exceptions...

5) Using effects as a starting point for comparion
    eg:  

• At the start of Source 3, the writer builds tension before revealing the subject of the article...
• Similarly, the writer of Source 1 is trying to build interest...
• Both texts have a humorous tone in places...
• Both writers use hyperbole in order to persuade the reader...
• Source 3 ends with a feeling of triumph...
• In contrast, Source 2 ends with a sense of resignation... 

 REMEMBER, when starting with effects, make sure you comment on language after the quote to explain how the writer's techniques helped achieve those effects.

 6) Follow up your quotes by analysing (ZOOM IN):

• The word ___________ has connotations of...
• The word __________ has the effect of...
• This suggests...
• This use of imagery has the effect of...
• The use of the short sentence at this point is particularly effective because...
• The writer's use of assonance has the effect of...
• This has an impact on the reader because... 

 7) Structuring your response:

I'm always a little wary of giving students a set structure. This is because it entirely depends on the combination of texts in front of you. A structure like DAFOREST is limiting in that it just picks out a few arbitrary techniques in a weird order - and some of them aren't language. It's a structure to scrape you a C.

If I was pushed to recommend a structure, it's probably be this:

1) Start by comparing the effect of the openings of the extracts and how they suit the purpose of the text (eg. building tension/interest, shock, persuasion, describing etc)
2) Write about word choices in the two sources
3) Write about imagery (similes/metaphors/personification) or comparisons used to illustrate.
4) Write about sound effects such as alliteration and assonance in the two texts.
5) Comment on the use of sentence structures (long, short, lists, repetition etc.)
6) If there's time, end by commenting on how the endings of the texts are effective. 


It's very likely that you won't have time to do all this, but you don't have to. This structure will give you plenty to write about and will keep you on task. Starting with effects gives you a nice way in to any combination of texts. 

Finally, a very useful resource can be found here: a past paper (your mock?) with example Band 4 answers (with examiners comments).



I hope this helps. Feel free to send me stuff to mark! And get in touch if you are unsure about anything.


Mr M