Paper 2 Question Techniques

Question 1- information retrieval

• 5-10 mins

• 4 marks

• pay very close attention to the exact question wording

• short quotations + simple explanation

• CHECK: quotation or explanation (paraphrase) or both?

• check line numbers

Question 2- How does the author use language and structure to…? (6)

• 10-15 mins

• 2 x PEADE paras

  • Topic sentence (DON’T use WFTQ!)

  • short 1st quotation- specific word choices

  • Analysis- USE BECAUSE (explain why the quotation creates an impression of x)!

  • Develop- 2nd quotation- Explain HOW structure emphasises/highlights word choices in 1st quote

  • Effect on reader + therefore creates effect of... (LINK BACKTO Q!)

• Use literary terminology everywhere

• language THEN structure analysis

Question 3- big version of question 2

• 20 mins

• 12 marks (3 detailed paras analysing Language & Structure)

• 3 PEADE paras

• 2-3 quotations for each point

• MARK LINES!

• Language analysis = specific word choices

• Structural analysis: show how structure reinforces/emphasises word choice

• structure can also be shift in tone/mood or sentence structures

• topic sentence = answer the ‘idea’ part of the question (NOT L&S- ‘the writer uses alliteration…’)

Question 4- ‘Both of these texts show X.’ How far do you agree with this statement?

• 25 mins

• 18 marks (3 highly developed paragraphs)

• Use comparison SIGNPOSTS: ‘similarly’ ‘both’ ‘contrastingly’ ‘on the other hand’

• Paragraph 1:

  • agree with statement to some extent for both texts

  • 2-3 quotes for each texts to support this

• Paragraph 2:

  • ‘However, it is my contention that text 1 is more… than text 2 because…’

  • 2-3 quotes for each

• Paragraph 3:

  • TWO OPTIONS:

  • 1. Disagree with statement

    • Text 2 is more… (e.g. powerful) in a different way (e.g. is intended to be humorous)

    • ‘not intended to for x, in fact purpose is more to y’

  • 2. Lean into ‘one is more… than the other’

    • bring in audience response

    • emotional reactions e.g. more ‘moving’

  • Link conclusion to bottom of this para

As you are reading

note down tone/mood/feelings in margins of both

Total time to spend on section A

don’t spend more than 1 hr 15 mins

Section B- Creative techniques to use

• Motifs + symbolism

• Similar but different opening and ending

• Paragraphs as camera shots

• Don’t ignore setting! Apparate like Hermione

• Dual narratives can be good but only if time