Learn: Mastering Paper 1 - Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing

Welcome!Today we'll focus on mastering Paper 1 for the AQA GCSE English Language. This paper tests your ability to analyse literature fiction and write creatively. Let's dive in step by step!

What is Paper 1 about?Paper 1 explores your reading and writing skills. You'll study a 20th or 21st-century fiction extract and answer questions on language, structure, and evaluation. The second section focuses on creating narrative or descriptive writing.

Assessment Objectives (AOs)Paper 1 tests four key objectives:AO1: Identifying and interpreting explicit and implicit information.AO2: Analysing how writers use language and structure.AO4: Evaluating texts critically.AO5 & AO6: Writing clearly and imaginatively with technical accuracy.

Key Question TypesPaper 1 contains four reading questions:Q1: Identify information (AO1).Q2: Analyse language (AO2).Q3: Analyse structure (AO2).Q4: Evaluate critically (AO4).The writing section (Q5) focuses on narrative or descriptive writing.

Analysing Language (Q2)This question asks you to comment on the writer's language choices. Look for specific words, phrases, and techniques like metaphors, similes, and alliteration. Explain their effect on the reader.

Analysing Structure (Q3)For structure questions, focus on how the text is organised. Look at beginnings, endings, shifts in focus, and paragraphing. Explain how these affect the reader's understanding or emotions.

Evaluating Critically (Q4)This question tests your ability to make judgements about how effectively ideas and perspectives are presented. Use evidence from the text to support your opinions.

Writing Creatively (Q5)This task involves creating either a narrative or descriptive piece. Consider your audience, purpose, and tone. Use varied sentence structures and precise vocabulary to engage the reader.

Review Time!Great work! We've covered the key question types, assessment objectives, and strategies for Paper 1. Let’s test your understanding with a few final questions!