English Langauge Paper 1 - Q5

What is the main objective?

To engage the reader through description or narrative; create atmosphere and meaning

What are examiners looking for?

Content & organisation; language & techniques; audience engagement

What should you include?

Ambitious vocabulary; varied sentence structures; precise imagery; punctuation for effect

What language techniques should you use?

Metaphor; simile; personification; pathetic fallacy; imagery; repetition; triplets

Sound techniques

Alliteration; sibilance; assonance

Structural techniques

Zooming in/out; shifts in focus; cyclical endings; contrast

What is “show, don’t tell”?

Imply emotions through actions, imagery, and description instead of stating them directly

How should you plan?

5 senses; emotions; setting; characters; key moments

Narrative structure

Beginning → rising action → climax → resolution

Description structure

Focus on different elements (e.g. sky → sea → land); shift perspective

How do you start strongly?

Action; dialogue; vivid description; intriguing statement

How do you end effectively?

Provide closure; create impact; avoid abrupt endings

What gets top marks?

Control; precision; originality; consistent tone; technical accuracy

Common mistakes

Overwriting; no structure; basic vocabulary; punctuation errors