English Language Paper 2 - Q5

What is the main objective?

To engage and persuade; maintain a clear viewpoint throughout

What are examiners looking for?

Clear viewpoint; convincing arguments; persuasive techniques; audience awareness; structure; ambitious language

How should you structure your writing?

Introduction → Argument 1 → Argument 2 → Argument 3 → Conclusion with call to action

What makes a strong opening?

Striking statistic; anecdote; rhetorical question; bold statement

How do you build arguments?

Point → evidence → explanation; use facts, statistics, examples; link ideas with connectives

What is a thesis statement?

A clear sentence stating your main argument; should guide the whole piece

What techniques should you use?

Direct address, emotive language, repetition, facts, statistics, rhetorical questions, triplets

DAFOREST techniques

Direct address, Alliteration, Facts, Opinion, Repetition, Emotive language, Statistics, Triplets

Extra techniques

Anecdotes; counter-arguments; call to action; rhetorical questions

What gets top marks?

Clear argument; consistent viewpoint; varied techniques; ambitious vocabulary; controlled structure

What are common mistakes?

No clear argument; random techniques; informal tone; weak structure

How do you show high-level thinking?

Include complex ideas (e.g. climate change, AI, mental health) integrated naturally into arguments

How do you link paragraphs?

Use connectives: “therefore”, “consequently”, “furthermore”; maintain logical flow