ENGLISH /ENGLISH LANGUAGE
EXAMINATION
FORMATS/LAYOUTS/TIPS/ADVICE
Presentational Devices – Always comment on the effect of these on the reader/audience and where asked for
compare the similarities and differences in effect eg in Source 1 …..whereas in Source 2…………
Photographs
Colour or black and white
Celebrities – in context (eg footballer in kit or in suit). Does it identify them or are they so famous everyone knows
who they are?
Eyes that follow
Children
Spectacular scenery or image
Size in comparison to text
The number and are they different sizes?
Where is the photo set?
Close up/ mid shot/ distance etc
Structure
Short paragraphs
Double spacing
Bullet points
Info boxes
Use of arrows
Opening paragraph - in bold? If so why?
Interviews or quotes from people – how presented?
Lists / bullet points – check lists and key points
Use of questions
Font /style
Clear font or stylised eg gothic vs Tahoma/calibre
Font size
Drop Capitals – looks like a child’s story
Large font on white space
Colour
Colour association – eg blue = cold /water
Subtle colours vs hard colours
Logos
Instant recognition
Relation to what is being said
Symbolic?
Website
Conventions – eg dropdown menus
Headlines
Puns on words (look at sports headlines) a twist on the word – humorous or poking fun
Relate to font size
Use of exclamation marks or other punctuation
Is it a summary statement of what is in the article?
How does it grab attention: humour? Shock? Mystery? Curiosity?
Alliteration ?
Sub-Headings
Purpose/size
Single words or short phrase?
Language Devices (must use examples ie PEA – name device, find a quote, show effect on reader then compare to
the other source in the same way eg source A uses similes like………. and the effect is this whereas in source b smilies
are used such as …… to achieve a different effect and then say what the effect may be)
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Short sentences vs long sentences
Use of vocabulary – certain words rather than others
Use of punctuation
Use of metaphors and similes
Use of alliteration
Symbolism
Connotation
First person / second person / third person
Slang and colloquialisms
Formal and informal language
Tone (related to feelings)
Use of facts
Technical language
Conveying mood
Use of humour / sarcasm
Appeals to the senses
Past / present / future tense
Rhymes
Rule of three
Evoking something (conjures picture of ‘x’)(reminds reader of ‘x’)
Lists
Bullet points
Objective vs subjective (fact vs emotion)
Use of imperatives (eg Go ahead! Get Lost! Be there or be square)
Use of questions
Puns on words
Direct speech
Anecdotes (little stories)
Interrogative questions (usually beginning When? How? Why? What?)
Rhetorical Questions (questions where the answer is taken for granted eg You know the answer don’t you?)
Note : not all questions are rhetorical are they?
Comparing words and phrases
Whereas, in comparison to, in this case, similar to, different from, like, similarly, as distinct from, as opposed to, in
contrast, compared to, unlike
Higher Paper Structure and content:
Jan 2011 – 12 (all papers)
Part A: Q1 = 8 marks; Q2 = 8 marks; Q3 = 8 marks; Q4 = 16 marks (always a comparison of named text and one of the
other two)
Part B: Q5 = 16 marks; Q6 = 24 marks
Part A
Q1 Content
 Understand: Experiences and issues (Nov 12)
 What do you learn about ‘x’ from article (June 12)
 What do you learn about ‘x’ from article (Jan 12)
 What do you learn about issues and concerns from article (June 11)
 What do you learn from the article about ‘x’ (Jan 11)
Q2 Content
 Explain effectiveness headline and picture and link to text (Nov 12)
 Explain effectiveness headline and picture and link to text (June 12)
 Explain effectiveness of headline, sub-headline and picture and link to text (Jan 12)
 Explain effectiveness headline and picture and link to text (June 11)
 Explain effectiveness of headline, sub-headline and picture and link to text (Jan 11)
Q3 Content
 Explain thoughts and feelings (Nov 12)
 Explain thoughts and feeling (June 12)
 Explain thoughts and feelings (Jan 12)
 Explain thoughts and feelings (June 11)
 Explain what you find tense and exciting (Jan 11)
Q4 Content
 Compare way Language is used for effect. Give examples and analyse effects (Nov 12)
 Compare way language is used for effect. Give examples and analyse effects (June 12)
 Compare way language is used for effect. Give examples and analyse effects (Jan 12)
 Compare way language is used for effect. Give examples and analyse effects (June 11)
 Compare way language is used for effect. Give examples and analyse effects (Jan 11)
Part B
Q5
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Write a letter for local newspaper describing and explaining (Nov 12)
Write an entry for online blog describing a situation you are in and explain how it was overcome (Jun 12)
Write a letter – informing what exists and explain how it could be improved (Jan 12)
Describe a decision and explain consequences (will appear in local newspaper) (June 11)
Write an article for a website and explain ‘x’ (Jan 11)
Q6
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Write an article for a school/college newspaper persuading about ‘x’ (Nov 12)
Write an article for newspaper arguing ‘x’ (Jun 12)
Write an article for a magazine – persuading one way OR the other on ‘x’ (Jan 12)
Write an article for a website arguing for OR against ‘x’ (June 11)
Write an entry for a writing competition arguing for or against ‘x’ (Jan 11)
Foundation Paper Structure
2011-12
Part A
Q1a = 4 marks (bulleted); 1b = 4 marks; Q2 = 8 marks; Q3 = 12 marks; Q4 = 12 marks;
Part B
Q5 = 16 marks; Q6 = 24 marks
Part A
Q1a Content
 List four things you learn about ‘x’ (Nov 12, Jun 12, Jan 12, Jan 11)
 List 4 activities (June 11)
Q1b Content
 What are ‘y’s feelings about ‘x’ (Nov 12, Jan 12)
 What is interesting and unusual about ‘x’ (Jun 12)
 What do we learn about ‘x’ (June 11)
 What was ‘y’s reaction about ‘x’ (Jan 11)
Q2 Content (in own words with support from the texts)
 Explain what you learn about ‘x’ (Nov 12, Jun 12)
 What problems did ‘y’ face about ‘x’ (Jan 12)
 How does ‘y’ spend their time (June 11)
 What reasons are given to persuade ‘y’ to do ‘x’ (Jan 11)
Q3 Content (give examples and explain effects)
 How does the writer use language features (Nov 12)
 How does the writer use language features to inform and describe (June 12)
 How does the webpage use language to inform and persuade (Jan 12)
 How does the writer use language to describe and show point of view (June 11)
 How does the writer use language to inform and advise (Jan 11)
Q4 Content
 Compare the way Source 1 and 2 use presentational features for effect (Nov 12) Note: NO CHOICE OF SOURCE!
 Compare the way two out of three sources use presentational features for effect (June 12) Note: CHOICE GIVEN!
 Compare the way Source 1 and 3 use presentational features for effect (Jan 12) Note: NO CHOICE OF SOURCE!
 Compare the way two out of three sources use presentational features for effect (June 11) Note: CHOICE GIVEN!
 Choose 2 of the sources and compare the presentational features (Jan 11) Note: CHOICE GIVEN!
Part B
Q5 Content
 Write an article for a local newspaper explaining ‘x’ (Nov 12)
 Write a script for a radio station informing ‘y’ about ‘x’(June 12)
 Write a letter to TV producers explaining ‘x’ (Jan 12)
 Describe a place for a travel website (June 11)
 Write a letter to the Head explaining how ‘x’ could be improved (Jan 11)
Q6 Content
 Write a speech for a classroom debate arguing for OR against ‘x’ (Nov 12)
 Write a letter persuading ‘y’ about ‘x’ (June 12)
 Write an article arguing for OR against ‘x’ (Jan 12)
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Write an article for school/college magazine persuading others to do ‘x’ (June 11)
Write a text for a leaflet to persuade ‘y’ to do ‘x’ (Jan 11)
General Tips
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Make sure you bring the following equipment into the English examination: Pens, pencils and highlighters
Always read the question first NOT the article – you’ll waste time reading it once and then having to read it again
to find the answer.
Use your highlighters to pick things out
Give them what they want and don’t waffle
If you get stuck, leave a space then move on to the next question
Do Part A first in order BUT do Part B in reverse order ie Q6 THEN Q5 (Q6 is worth more marks!!!)
Do you know how fast you write??? Copy out 4 lines of A4 text as neatly and as accurately as possible and time
yourself. Then write out the same four lines as fast as possible and time yourself again. So if you took 6 mins on
the first 1 and 4 mins on the second then the average for speed and legibility is 4mins.
A side of the examination paper is 24 lines. So if you are writing a line a minute you will cover a page in 24
minutes. Not
fast enough!! For Foundation Paper, you need to write a side for Q5 in 25mins (no
problem!) BUT 2 sides for Q6!!! That’s why you do Q6 first. Practice writing faster!
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In the Higher Paper there is no expected limit but you would be mad to be less than 1 side on Q5 and 2 sides on
Q6
Note: average words per line are about 6 -10, any smaller and it is difficult to read, any bigger and it looks like
you are trying to fill up space. Either way it must reflect how you write in Part A.
Run out of things to say? Then look back at the source materials! Often, NOT always, Q5 and Q6 are based
around the theme of the source materials so go back and nick some ideas and put them in your own words!
Timings
You have 135 minutes to get 80 marks
You need to plan Part B (Q6 10 mins max) (Q5 5-7 mins max)
Your reading will take about 20-30 mins in total as you scan for answer and highlight examples.
Therefore you have approximately a mark a minute!!!
Part A is one hour and 15minutes
Therefore 40 marks to find in 75mins!!
Q1 = 8mins
Q2 = 17mins
Q3 = 17mins
Q4 = 33mins
This is why you must have a watch on your table (sorry no alarms)