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The Heathland School

The Heathland School

GCSE English Language

Course Specification available here

Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing

What’s assessed

Section A: Reading - One literature fiction text
Section B: Writing - Descriptive or narrative writing

Assessed

  • Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • 80 marks
  • 50% of GCSE

Questions

  • Reading (40 marks) (25%) – one single text
  • 1 short form question (1 x 4 marks)
  • 2 longer form questions (2 x 8 marks)
  • 1 extended question (1 x 20)

Writing (40 marks)(25%)

  • 1 extended writing question (24 marks for content, 16 marks for technical accuracy)

Paper 2: Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspective

What’s assessed

Section A: Reading - One non-fiction text and one literacy non-fiction text
Section B: Writing - Writing to present a viewpoint

Assessed

  • Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • 80 marks
  • 50% of GCSE

Questions

Reading (40 marks) (25%) – two linked texts

  • 1 short form question (1 x 4 marks)
  • 2 longer form questions (2 x 8 marks)
  • 1 extended question (1 x 20)

Writing

  • 1 extended writing question (24 marks for content, 16 marks for technical accuracy)

Non-examination assessment: Spoken Language (AO7-AO9)

  • Presenting
  • Responding to questions and feedback
  • Use of standard English

Assessed

  • Teacher set throughout course
  • Marked by teacher
  • Separate endorsement (0% weighting of GCSE)

Steps to success

  1. Practice reading a text quickly but accurately, highlighting and annotating key points.
  2. Answer the question you have been asked, highlighting key words so that what you write is relevant to the question.
  3. Plan your answer very carefully using bullet points that are given to help you structure your response (10 minutes!).
  4. Use quotations as evidence to support the points you make
  5. Adapt your style appropriately (vocabulary, sentence structure, tone) for your reader/ audience.
  6. Remember to use paragraphs.
  7. When discussing poetry/prose remember C.S.T.T.R. (Content, Style, Tone, Theme and Response).
  8. Stick to your time limit for each question.
  9. Do not waste words in the examination – make points clearly and concisely.
  10. Try to leave five minutes at the end of the examination to check your work and correct errors of punctuation and spelling.

Useful websites:

http://www.englishbiz.co.uk/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english_literature/

http://www.universalteacher.org.uk/

http://revisionworld.co.uk/gcse-revision/english

http://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/few/683

http://emergencyliterature.wikispaces.com/Sec+4+-+Unseen+Poetry

http://emergencyliterature.wikispaces.com/Sec+4+-+Macbeth+%28By+Mrs+Laura+Ng%29

 

 

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