Paper 2: Overview (Edexcel GCSE English Language): Flashcards

Timing: ~5 minutes for Questions 1 and 2 together

Type: search and find, Text 1

Marks: 2 marks

How to answer:

• Identify two things

• Use only the lines given

• Keep answers short

Timing: shared with Question 1

Type: search and find, Text 1

Marks: 2 marks

How to answer:

• Give two ways or things

• Use your own words or quotations

• Check the focus of the question

Timing: ~20 minutes

Type: language and structure analysis of the whole of Text 1

Marks: 15 marks

How to answer:

• Write about both language and structure

• Cover all three bullet points

• Support every point with a reference

Timing: ~5 minutes for Questions 4 and 5 together

Type: search and find, Text 2

Marks: 1 mark

How to answer:

• Identify one thing

• Use only the lines given

• Keep it to a short phrase

Timing: shared with Question 4

Type: search and find, Text 2

Marks: 1 mark

How to answer:

• Identify one thing

• Read the focus carefully

• Don't copy out whole lines

Timing: ~20 minutes

Type: evaluation of the whole of Text 2

Marks: 15 marks

How to answer:

• Judge how well the writer achieves their effects

• Cover the whole text

• Use evaluative language

Timing: ~10 minutes

Type: synthesis, both texts

Marks: 6 marks

How to answer:

• Similarities only

• Aim for 3–4 points

• Give evidence from both texts

Timing: ~20 minutes

Type: comparison of ideas and perspectives, both texts

Marks: 14 marks

How to answer:

• Stick to the specific focus

• Use comparative words such as "similarly" and "whereas"

• Give evidence from both texts

Timing: 45 minutes (10 to plan, 30 to write, 5 to check)

Type: transactional writing, one task from a choice of two

Marks: 40 marks (24 for content and organisation, 16 for technical accuracy, including SPaG)

How to answer:

• Identify the form, audience and purpose

• Plan using the bullet points

• Leave time to check for errors