The Course


The course is divided as follows:

40% of your marks are awarded to the four pieces of written coursework:
1. Original Writing
2. Media
3. Pre-1914 Prose
4. Shakespeare

Another 20% is awarded for Speaking and Listening exercises assessed in 3 situations.

The examination consists of two papers:

PAPER 1: 1 Hour 45 Minutes

Section A: Spend approximately 1 hour 15%
You must read two or three media and/or non-fiction texts which you have not seen before and answer several questions on them.

Section B: Spend approximately 45 minutes 15%
You must write a piece of text based on one of four titles given. The piece of writing will be to either: advise, persuade or argue.

PAPER 2: 1 Hour 30 Minutes

Section A: Spend approximately 45 minutes 15%
You will be asked to answer one question from two given, based on poetry from Different Cultures. One question will be on Cluster 1 and the other on Cluster 2.

Section B: Spend approximately 45 minutes 15%
You must write a piece of text based on one of four titles given. The piece of writing will be to either: describe, inform or explain.


Each Section of the exam is marked out of 27. These are the grade boundaries to help give you an idea of what to aim for in the exam:

U 0
G 1-3
F 4-6
E 7-10
D 11-13
C 14-18
B 19-21
A 22-24
A* 25-27


Our Recommendations
For Paper 1 Section B the questions are on writing to argue, persuade and advise. There is also one question on two or more of these techniques together e.g. ‘write a letter to argue against increasing taxes and to advise the Chancellor to lower taxes further’. Whilst you can choose any of these four questions it is recommended that you answer either the writing to argue or the writing to persuade as they are the easiest to gain good marks in.

For Paper 2 Section B you are again given four questions. However, this time it is only recommended you answer the writing to describe question as it is by far the easiest to gain good marks in.