AQA

English Language GCSE (8700)

English Literature (8702)
This information pack is designed to:
1. give you an overview of what your child is doing in
their English Language and Literature lessons
2. help you to understand what is expected of the
students at GCSE so that you can best support them at
home
 English Language Paper 1
Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing
• 5th June 2018 – 1hr 45 minutes.
• Worth 50% of the English Language GCSE.
• There are 2 sections: Reading and Writing.
• Students will be given an extract from a novel written in either
the 20th or 21st Century – it will be approximately 700 words.
• Students will be given 4 questions to assess their reading skills
in relation to this extract.
• The questions will always be the same format and will be worth
 the same number of marks – it is the text that will be unseen.
• Students will be given a choice of question for their writing task.

Section A – Reading – worth 40 marks

• In all English examinations (both Language and Literature)

students should make sure they are allocating the right amount
of time to the number of marks available.
• It works out at roughly one mark per minute.
This is an example of the type of text
students will be given in the exam.
Question 1 will always
ask students to ‘List
four things’.

It is always worth 4
marks (one for each
answer).

They need to follow

the instructions
carefully as the
information needed
will come from a
specified section of
the text and they may
be caught out.
Question 2 will give students a
smaller section of the text to work
with.

They will be asked to analyse the

writer’s use of language, and are
encouraged to heavily annotate
this shorter extract before writing
their response.

This question is always worth 8

marks.

Students should focus on: effect of

language, subject terminology and
range of quotations.
Question 3 is a question on
structure.

It will always be on the

whole of the text.

It is worth 8 marks.

Students should focus

on: effect of structure,
use of subject
terminology and using a
range of examples.
Question 4 is worth the
most marks therefore
students should spend the
most time on it.
It will not be on the whole
text so students must pay
attention to the section
they are being asked to
consider.
They should use the bullet-
points provided to help
them craft their response
Students should focus on:
The writer’s methods and
their effect on the reader;
using a range of quotations;
being critical; and focusing
on the statement given.
 How to improve…
• Be aware that the extracts are taken from challenging
literature – students should develop what they are reading
at home.
• Q1: Read through the question carefully and go for the most
obvious answers.
• Q2: Be a lot more specific when discussing effect – it is not
enough to say ‘it creates vivid imagery’ – they have to
identify where and how. They must use accurate
terminology: ‘adverb’, ‘adjective’, ‘simile’ etc.
Make sure they cover the whole section of the extract – a
lot of students, in practice, completely ignored the first 2
sentences and the last paragraph – the exam board give
them what they want them to consider.
• Q3: Make sure they consider where the extract starts and
 ends (the whole thing) – Look for changes in narrative, pace,
time, flashback etc.
• Q4: Make sure a wide range of points from the extract
are considered and that students are focusing on the
allocated lines as this question is not on the whole passage.
Students should be convincing in their response.
Section B – Writing – Worth 40 marks

Worth 24 marks Worth 16 marks

Students have a choice of 2 tasks.

The task will be either a description or a

story – we do not know which so
students need to be prepared for both.

The first task will use a picture as

inspiration.

The second task will not.

Both tasks will be linked in some way to

the text from the reading section
(although students should not mention
it)

Students must plan and proof-read their

writing in the time they have.

Students are encouraged to do this task

first as they may be more accurate at
the beginning of the examination.
 English Language Paper 2
Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives
• 8th June 2018 – 1hr 45 minutes
• Worth 50% of the English Language GCSE
• There are 2 sections: Reading and Writing
• Students will be given two extracts – one non-fiction and one
literary non-fiction. Each extract will be approximately 700
words. One of the extracts will be a 19th Century text.
• Students will be given 4 questions to assess their reading skills
in relation to these extracts.
• The questions will always be the same format and will be worth
the same number of marks – it is the texts that will be unseen.
• Students will be given one question for their writing task.
This is an example of the types of text
students will be given in the exam.
Question 1 will give students a number of
statements about one of the texts.

Students need to shade the statements that

are true.

There is one mark available for each correct

answer.

They need to pay attention to the question

as it will specify certain lines and they may
be caught out.
Question 2 asks the students to summarise the differences and/or similarities in the two
texts.

They do not need to analyse.

They do need to use quotations.

They do need to focus on the question.

Question 3 will only focus on one of the texts.

Students need to focus on: Writer’s use of language and effect, subject
terminology and using a range of quotations.
Question 4 is worth the most marks, therefore the students should spend the
longest on it.
It is a comparative question.

Students need to be analytical when looking at writers’ methods, use a

range of quotations from both texts and show developed understanding
of both texts.
Students are given one compulsory question – it will be linked to the topic of the
Reading section.
They must plan and proof-read in the time given.
Students are encouraged to complete this section first as they might be more
accurate at the beginning of the examination.
They must ensure that they are writing in the correct form, and for the specified
audience.
Students should always remember that, ultimately, the examiner is their audience
so their writing must be appropriate.
 What can you do to support?
• Encourage students with their reading at home. They should be reading newspapers,
stories, descriptions, articles, columns etc from across a range of eras.
• They should challenge themselves with their reading as the exam texts will not be
easy.
• Ensure that students spend time on their set homework tasks but also complete
independent revision.
• Encourage students to complete practice papers in timed conditions.
• Make sure that students have been on the AQA website and are familiar with all
the resources available on there.
• Make sure that students understand the importance of these examinations and that
they are not easy!
• Help us by reminding students of the importance of their lessons. Encourage
them to leave the house in the morning prepared to learn.
• Ultimately, the students need their level 5. If they don’t get it, they will have to
Continue to study English until they are 18 – this will obviously affect the decisions
they make post – 16.

There are a lot of resource and revision books available to assist revision
for the English language examinations. BBC Bitesize and the AQA website
are also particularly useful revision tools.
English Literature GCSE
2 examinations

Paper 1 nd
22 May
Paper 2 25th May
 Literature Paper 1
th
Shakespeare & the 19
century novel
40 % of Literature GCSE
Structure of the paper CLOSED
BOOK
•1 hour 45 minutes

• Section A: Shakespeare (Macbeth)

• 30 marks + 4 marks for SPAG
• One question

• Section B: Novel (Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde)

• 30 marks
(Dr
• One question
 English Literature Paper 1
Section A: Shakespeare (Macbeth)
• Students will be asked a character or theme based question which requires them to write
a critical essay. They will be given an extract and asked to then make connections with the
whole text.

• Weightings: approximately 70% extract and 30% connections with other relevant moments
in the play.

• Students can closely analyse the extract and make broader comments about other places
in the text.

• However, students aiming for the highest levels should also be able to quote and analyse
other moments.
Tackling the question
•Spend 10 minutes reading, annotating and planning
•35 minutes writing
•5 minutes checking (SPAG marked)
•Focus firstly on the extract provided and then the
whole text or focus on different aspects of the extract
and weave in other relevant moments (higher level)
 CLOSED
The Mark Scheme: BOOK
Section A: Shakespeare CLOSED
The Mark Scheme: BOOK
Section A: CLOSED
The Mark Scheme: BOOK
Shakespeare
Detailed analysis and perceptive ideas
Comment from AQA

Grade 1-4 students may discuss

Analytical and thoughtful characters as if they are really people.

Grade 5-9 students will discuss how the

Clear and relevant writer crafts his/her writing for specific
purposes and effects

Some relevant understanding

Limited understanding of text and task

SPaG mark
Section B: Novel CLOSED
BOOK
‘Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde’

Same format as section A

Same mark scheme as section A
(not awarded marks for SPaG)
 Literature Paper 2
Modern Texts and Poetry
60 % of Literature GCSE
Structure of the paper CLOSED
• 2 hours 15 minutes BOOK
• Section A: Modern Drama (An Inspector Calls OR Blood Brothers)
• 30 marks + 4 marks for SPAG
• Choice of 2 question – ANSWER ONE

• Section B: Poetry Anthology

• 30 marks
• One question (NO choice)
• The question asks you to compare two poems in the anthology
• You will be provided with one poem on the paper
• Section C: Unseen Poetry
• 24 marks
• TWO questions – answer BOTH
• First question: Analyse one poem
• Second question: Compare BOTH poems provided
Section A: An Inspector Calls/Blood Brothers
• Students are given a choice of two questions- character, key
moment or theme based
• No extract is provided
• Spend 45 mins on this question (including 5 mins planning)
• 30 marks plus 4 for SPaG (Same as Shakespeare Q)
How does Priestley/Russell make the audience dislike
Mr Birling/Mrs Lyons?
Example: Write about:
- The characters’ relationships and views
- How Priestley/Russell presents them by the ways
he writes
Section B: Poetry Anthology
Students are given ONE question and are asked to compare two
poems from the anthology. One poem is provided in the paper.
Students must rely on knowledge of other poems.

Spend 45 mins on this question (including 5 mins planning)

30 marks- same assessment objectives as other questions,
but also focussing on students’ ability to be comparative.
Students could focus on the set
poem in the first part of their essay
and then their chosen second poem
in the second half. Or they could weave
together throughout.

It is important that they choose their

second poem carefully.
Compare how poets present romantic love in ‘When We Two parted’ by
Lord Byron and in one other poem from ‘Love and Relationships.’
[30 marks]

Love is presented negatively in ‘When We Two Parted’. Byron based the poem
on a secret affair that ended. In the poem the speaker is bitter about the end
of the relationship: ‘half broken hearted.’ The metaphor and use of ‘half’
suggests he loved the lover more and that she wasn’t upset when they broke
up. This bitterness that the speaker’s love is one sided is also shown in ‘Neutral
Tones’: ‘The smile on your mouth was the deadest thing.’ This metaphor shows
that the lover is emotionally dead.
Section C: Unseen Poetry
Students are given TWO compulsory questions. Q1: Analyse a
poem. Q2: Compare first poem to another.
• Q1 Spend 30 mins (24 marks)
• Q2 Spend 15 mins (8 marks)
In the exams students need to:
• Read the questions thoroughly
• Plan
• Proof read
• Monitor time closely, and pay attention to mark allocation

• Use all their time

 How to revise and prepare
Step 1
• Re-read the texts
• Read a modernised version of the texts
• Use revision guides: CGP/ Sparknotes
• Consolidate notes- key themes, characters and events
• Attend revision sessions

Step 2 (crucial!)
• Do practice plans, paragraphs and full essays.
• Work under timed conditions
• Make up questions
• Self assess and peer assess
• Ask for teacher feedback
• Practise doing whole papers
 Example Literature Questions
Paper 1
Instructions:

Pick one question from the Macbeth selection and one question from the Dr
Jekyll & Mr Hyde selection. Spend 1 hour 45 minutes completing the two
questions. SPaG counts for the first question.
Example Questions Macbeth
Extract from Act 1 scene 7 (Lady Macbeth is talking to Macbeth about killing King Duncan)
Starting with this extract, explain how far you think Shakespeare presents Lady Macbeth
as ruthless.

Write about:
• how Shakespeare presents Lady Macbeth in this extract
• how Shakespeare presents Lady Macbeth in the play as a whole.
Extract from Act 3 scene 4 (Macbeth reacts to seeing the ghost of Banquo)
Starting with this extract, examine how Shakespeare presents the relationship between Macbeth
and Lady Macbeth.

Write about:
• how Shakespeare presents the relationship in this extract
• how Shakespeare presents the relationship in the play as a whole.

Example Questions Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

Extract from start of the chapter ‘Incident of the Letter’ to ‘he will never more be
heard of.’
Starting with this extract, explore how Stevenson creates a sinister atmosphere?

Write about:
 How Stevenson creates a sinister atmosphere in the extract
 How Stevenson creates a sinister atmosphere in the novel as a whole.
Extract from start of the chapter ‘The Story of the door’ to ‘It chanced on one of
these rambles.’
Starting with this extract, explore how Stevenson presents Mr Utterson as a
good friend.

Write about:
 How Mr Utterson is presented as a good friend in the extract.
 How Mr Utterson is presented as a good friend in the novel as a whole.
 Example Literature Questions
Paper 2:
Instructions:

Pick one question from the ‘An Inspector Calls’ / ‘Blood Brothers’ selection, one
question from the Poetry Section B selection and then complete the Unseen
poetry. Spend 2 hours 15 minutes completing the paper. SPaG counts for the
first question.
Example Questions An Inspector Calls

• How does Priestley explore different attitudes towards men and women in
An Inspector Calls?

• How does Priestley explore the character of Eva in An Inspector Calls?

Example Questions Blood Brothers

 How does Russell present class division in Blood Brothers?

 ‘Willy Russell wants the audience to feel sympathy for Mrs Johnstone.’
How far to you agree with this statement?
 Example Questions Poetry Section B
• Compare how poets explore longing in Sonnet 29 and one other poem.

• Compare how poets portray memories in ‘Follower’ and one other poem.

• Compare how poets explore unhealthy relationships in ‘Porphyria’s Lover’ and one
other poem.

• Compare how poets explore bitterness in ‘When We Two Parted’ and one other
poem.

• Compare how poets present love for a family member in ‘Before you were mine’
and in one other poem.
(When completing, make sure you only have the named poem in front
of you. You must compare it with a second poem that you do not have in
front of you)
Students need to be reading a widely as possible.
Here are some suggestions:
20th-century classics
• * A Room with a View by E M Forster (Penguin Classics)
• * Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (Virago Modern Classics)
• * Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell (Pan Books)
• * 1984 by George Orwell (Penguin)
• * Animal Farm by George Orwell
• * Catcher in the Rye by J D Salinger (Penguin)
• * Lord of the Flies by William Golding (Faber & Faber)

21st century texts

 • Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon
• The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
• The Time Traveller’s Wife Audrey Niffenegger

Non-Fiction Texts:
 Newspapers
 Articles
 Essays
 Travel Writing

Thank you for your continued support. If you require any further detail, or wish to discuss your
child’s progress please contact their English teacher.