3.1.3

Answering Question 2

Test yourself

Section A: Creative Reading - Question 2

In Section A of Paper 1, you will be given a 40-50 line extract from a modern piece of fiction. Unless you are very lucky and have already read the text, this extract will be unseen.

Illustrative background for Question 2Illustrative background for Question 2 ?? "content

Question 2

  • Question 2 is worth eight marks. You should spend around two minutes reading and 8 minutes writing.
  • In this question, you will be asked to read a specific section of the text (e.g. lines 13 to 20) and explain how the writer uses language to describe a character, thing, place or event.
Illustrative background for Use correct terminologyIllustrative background for Use correct terminology ?? "content

Use correct terminology

  • You need to show that you can identify the techniques used by the writer, such as:
    • Personification, simile, metaphor.
    • Irony, tone, emphasis, rhetorical question.
    • Hyperbole, repetition, alliteration.
    • Technical word classes (e.g. abstract noun, stative verb, noun phrase, semantic field).
Illustrative background for Use varied information from the textIllustrative background for Use varied information from the text ?? "content

Use varied information from the text

  • You must carefully select quotations because they are important to the point you have made. They should prove your ideas really well.
  • It should be clear that your point and evidence work perfectly together. You should not just choose any quotation at random and try to make a point around it – you should choose an excellent quotation to match your point perfectly.
  • You should explain how your quotation links to your point.
Illustrative background for Analyse languageIllustrative background for Analyse language ?? "content

Analyse language

  • You should explain how the language used helps to describe whatever character, thing, place or event the question asks about.
  • You must consider:
    • Connotations of words and alternative meanings of words.
    • The effect of the language technique you have highlighted – Do NOT just label the techniques but explain their effect.
Illustrative background for Example exam techniqueIllustrative background for Example exam technique ?? "content

Example exam technique

  • Example question: How does the writer use language in this extract to create tension?
  • Example process:
    • Consider what the question means - what is tension?
    • Throughout your answer, stick to the question – you are looking at language which creates tension and nothing else.
    • Find three quotations which add tension.
    • Spend 30 seconds on each quotation, creating a brief mindmap of how the words create tension.
    • Select one of your quotations and write a paragraph to answer the question.

The PETER Structure - Section A: Question 2

You don't have to stick to this structure, exactly, but it helps you to remember including everything you need to get the most marks.

Illustrative background for PointIllustrative background for Point ?? "content

Point

  • Write your idea or argument and link it to the question.
  • Here are some example sentence starters:
    • In the text, the writer uses language to ____.
    • The writer structures the text to ____.
    • Throughout the text, the writer ____.
Illustrative background for EvidenceIllustrative background for Evidence ?? "content

Evidence

  • Choose a quotation from the text which supports the point that you have made.
  • Here are some examples of using a quotation to support your point:
    • In paragraph three, the author says, “____”.
    • The author describes the sky as “____”.
    • The description “____” is stated at the start of the text.
Illustrative background for Technique and explanationIllustrative background for Technique and explanation ?? "content

Technique and explanation

  • Identify a language technique in the quotation. These techniques could be similes, metaphors, adverbs, rule of three or another technique.
  • Then explain what the technique means, referring to the quotation or words used.
  • Here are some example sentences:
    • Within the quote, the simile suggests that ____.
    • The adjective “____” indicates that ____.
    • The writer’s use of repetition here shows ____
    • The metaphor “____” could mean ____. Alternatively, it could mean ____.
Illustrative background for Refer to the question and the writer's intentionIllustrative background for Refer to the question and the writer's intention ?? "content

Refer to the question and the writer's intention

  • Answer why you think the writer used this language?
  • What do you think the writer is trying to show?
  • What effect does the quote have and how does this relate to the question?
  • Some examples of this are:
    • In my opinion, the writer has done this to show ____.
    • Therefore, the language here suggests that ____.
    • Therefore, the author structured the extract in this way to highlight ____.

Jump to other topics

1Key Terms

2Language Techniques

3Paper 1: Reading

4Paper 1: Writing

5Paper 2: Reading

6Paper 2: Writing

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson