Overview

Understanding the exam

It is important to understand which GCSE route you are completing.

ROUTE 1: Paper 1 and Paper 2

▼ PAPER 1: NON-FICTION AND TRANSACTIONAL WRITING (4EA/01):

  1. 60% of overall GCSE
  2. 2 hours 15 minutes
  3. January or June examination
Section A (Non-fiction) 45 marksSection B (Transactional Writing) 45m marks
Analysis of a range of non-fiction texts:◼ develop skills to analyse how writers use linguistic and structural devices to achieve their effects ◼ explore links and connections between writers’ ideas and perspectives.◼ develop transactional writing skills for a variety of purposes and audiences ◼ use spelling, punctuation and grammar accurately.

▼ PAPER 2: POETRY AND PROSE TEXTS AND IMAGINATIVE WRITING (4EA/02)

  1. 40% of overall GCSE
  2. 1 hour 30 minutes
  3. January and June examination
Section A (Poetry and Prose Texts ) 30 marksSection B (Imaginative Writing) 30 marks
Analysis of a range of fiction texts: ◼ develop skills to analyse how writers use linguistic and structural devices to achieve their effects.◼ develop imaginative writing skills to engage the reader ◼ use spelling, punctuation and grammar accurately.

ROUTE 2: Paper 1 and Paper 3

▼ PAPER 1: NON-FICTION AND TRANSACTIONAL WRITING (4EA/01):

  1. 60% of overall GCSE
  2. 2 hours 15 minutes
  3. January or June examination
Section A (Non-fiction) 45 marksSection B (Transactional Writing) 45m marks
Analysis of a range of non-fiction texts:◼ develop skills to analyse how writers use linguistic and structural devices to achieve their effects ◼ explore links and connections between writers’ ideas and perspectives.◼ develop transactional writing skills for a variety of purposes and audiences ◼ use spelling, punctuation and grammar accurately.

▼ PAPER 3: POETRY AND PROSE TEXTS AND IMAGINATIVE WRITING (4EAL/03)

  1. 40% of overall GCSE
  2. Coursework
  3. Two teacher-designed assignments, internally set and assessed, and externally moderated by Edexcel
Section A (Poetry and Prose Texts ) 30 marksSection B (Imaginative Writing) 30 marks
Analysis of a range of fiction texts: ◼ develop skills to analyse how writers use linguistic and structural devices to achieve their effects.◼ develop imaginative writing skills to engage the reader ◼ use spelling, punctuation and grammar accurately.

Overall GCSE objectives:

Reading

AO1 Read and understand a variety of texts, selecting and interpreting information, ideas and perspectives (15%)

AO2 Understand and analyse how writers use linguistic and structural devices to achieve their effects (20%)

AO3 Explore links and connections between writers’ ideas and perspectives, as well as how these are conveyed (15%)

Writing

AO4

Communicate effectively and imaginatively, adapting form, tone and register of writing for specific purposes and audiences (30%)

AO5

Write clearly, using a range of vocabulary and sentence structures, with appropriate paragraphing and accurate spelling, grammar and punctuation (20%)

Anthology

An anthology is a collection of pre-released texts that are set by the exam board. You will receive a copy from your teacher. It is your responsibility to annotate and write extended notes on your collection.

You will not be allowed to take your annotated anthology into the examination. Instead, you will receive a blank copy of the texts required. You therefore must learn all your notes.

Annotation

Annotating your anthology is key to being successful.

  1. Successful annotation
  2. Colour coordination - use a different coloured highlighter for language, structural and thematic comments. This will help you to organise cross-comparisons
  3. Detailed notes - placing only one or two words around your text will not help you. You must go into detail.
  4. Unsuccessful annotation
  5. Highlighting with no labelling - you should explain why you are highlighting a quote. Label this with a pen
  6. No notes - you will need to revise from your anthology, so do not leave it until the end of your course to write notes on your text!

Overview, figure 1