English Language Paper 1: key info and resources

Hi folks,

I hope you're having a good rest after a manic couple of weeks. Are you ready to get your revision head back on?

I've already created plenty of resources for revising English Language, so I'm going to put them together in this blogpost (Paper 1) and the next (Paper 2).

First of all, here's the structure and suggested timings for Paper 1:

Your first job is to make sure you know the above information inside out. Know your own battle plan for the timings and remind yourself to highlight key words in the questions as you go. For instance, you might choose a different plan:

1. Read and annotate, then do Q1 (10 mins)
2. Do Q2 (Language) (12 mins)
3. Do Q3 (Structure) (12 mins)
4. Do Q4 (Evaluation) (25 mins) 
5. Do Q5 (Descriptive/narrative writing) (45 minutes)

Tip: I'd consider jotting down a few notes on STRUCTURE as you read:

• What's interesting about the first sentence/paragraph?
• What perspective do we get in each paragraph?
• What shifts take place in the 'journey' of the text?
• Where are the 'key sentences' that give away essential information?
• What patterns can you spot? What ties it together as a coherent whole (e.g. imagery, motif, tone etc.)
• Do internal thoughts contrast with external actions?
• How are characters introduced? Do they contrast with each other?
• What happens at the end? Whay is the final sentence effective? Is there a circular structure? How does the ending contrast with the beginning?

The mock Paper 1 powerpoint we used in class can be found here.

Question-by-question guidance:

These links are to posts from last year - but they're still relevant and accurate:

Q1 - List 4 things (4 marks)
Q2 - Language (8 marks)


Q3 - Structure (8 marks)
Here is a link to AQA's own advice about this question.

Q4 - Evaluation (20 marks)

Q5 - Descriptive/narrative writing (40 marks)
If you liked the DROP, SHIFT, ZOOM method we tried recently, here's an explanation of it. And here's a quick visual recap:

If you search your email inbox for 'DROP SHIFT' you'll find some examples that I sent you back in April. 

Don't forget - there are still some useful sets on Quizlet, especially the 100 words vocab list and its partner set, 100 words (sentence completion).


 
Finally, here is my target list for Paper 1:

I'll do a similar post on Paper 2 in the next day or two.


Let me know if you need anything. 


Mr M