Year 11 mock exams!

GCSE English Paper One Section A



Non-fiction media section



The rules

• You have one hour.


• You will be given two non-fiction media texts (newspaper articles, websites, advertisements, etc).


• You will have to answer four questions on the texts (adding up to 27 marks).


• Some of the questions will only be about one of the texts and some will ask for comparative comments on both.


• The questions will typically be about the argument of the text, the use of fact and opinion, the presentation or layout of the text and the type of language used.

My advice

1. Don't spend a lot of time reading the texts carefully. Read for a purpose. If your question is about the argument of the text, scan the opening paragraph for the main argument. It will probably develop the headline. Then, scan the subsequent paragraphs to see how the argument develops. Find one or two short quotations to integrate into your answer.


2. Either divide your time by the number of marks (2 minutes per mark roughly) or allocate 15 minutes to each question. Either way, spend a third of this time scanning the text for the information and techniques you need and two thirds of the time writing your answer.


3. Remember that you must link evidence, technique, effect and evaluation to get the highest marks. Look at the following example and how it is colour-coded for the four skills demonstrated. 'The clause "the silver tongue has been replaced by a tin ear" juxtaposes the body parts for speaking (tongue) and listening (ear) simply and effectively. Obama's decline is thus explained in terms of his relative strengths and weaknesses as a communicator.'
4. Notice how the above quote manages in two sentences to show all four skills. This is concise writing, using short phrases of well-chosen vocabulary for effect. When scanning for information before writing your answers, think of some of the vocabulary you want to use for evidence, technique, effect and evaluation so that you can write more quickly.
5. Be disciplined with your time! Remember that you should use the main argument of the text as a way of linking your answer properly. So, if you thought the Obama article was mainly arguing that the American public was overreacting to Obama's weaknesses, this would be something you could link your fact/opinion, layout and language answers to.
6. Try to show enthusiasm for the text by using phrases like 'highly effective', 'strikingly clear' and so on. Good luck!