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AQA English Language Paper 1 Tips

May 25, 2025

AQA English Language Paper 1: Question 5

Overview

  • Choice between two questions:
    • One based on a picture
    • One not based on a picture
  • Types of writing:
    • Narrative writing (story or part of a story)
    • Descriptive writing
  • Note: Occasionally, both questions might be of the same type.

Time Management

  • Spend around 45 minutes on this question.

Example Question

  • "A travel website is running a creative writing competition. Either describe a journey as suggested by this picture or write a story with the title 'The Holiday'."
  • Marks:
    • 24 marks for content and organization (AO5)
    • 16 marks for technical accuracy (AO6)
    • Total: 40 marks (half of the entire paper)

Key Points

Creativity and Originality

  • Opportunity to be creative and original.
  • Avoid formulaic approaches.

Techniques from Section A

  • Utilize techniques analyzed in Section A of the exam:
    • Language analysis (Question 2)
    • Structure analysis (Question 3)
    • Variety of methods (Question 4)
  • Apply these skills in Section B for crafting your own writing:
    • Structural features: Use flashbacks, circular structure, zoom in/out, and shifts in focus.
    • Language features: Use pathetic fallacy, metaphors, similes.

Technical Accuracy (AO6)

  • Marks Available: 16 marks
  • Key Considerations:
    • Avoid mistakes: Allocate 5 minutes at the end to check spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
    • Plan and prepare for technical skill usage:
      • Vary sentence and paragraph lengths.
      • Use a range of sentence openings and punctuation.
      • Actively incorporate these elements as you write.

Planning Tips

  • Plan Skills: Not just content, but include skills you intend to demonstrate:
    • Types of punctuation
    • Sentence and paragraph variety
  • Regularly check plan during writing:
    • Adjust punctuation and sentence length where necessary.

Sample Paragraph Analysis

  • Example:
    • "Ancient and wise, the bull swishes his tail in the ice-cold refreshing water, creating zen-like ripples..."
  • Techniques Used:
    • Descriptive imagery
    • Metaphors and similes
    • Engaging language

Resources

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