GCSE-ready- Home
- Lessons
- GCSE & IGCSE English Language
- Paper 2 Section A: the poetry and prose essay
Paper 2 Section A: the poetry and prose essay
🎬 The doodle video for this lesson is coming soon. Subscribe on YouTube to see it first.
Section A of Paper 2 is one essay question on a poem or prose text from Part 2 of the Anthology. The text is provided in the exam, and the essay is worth 30 marks.
The facts
Part 2 texts
Writing the essay
The question usually gives bullet points to guide you, and one of them is about the writer's use of language and structure. Cover every bullet.
AO2 carries the most marks (18), so analyse methods and their effects in detail.
Use short, embedded quotations and work through the text in order or by theme.
AO2 carries the most marks (18), so analyse methods and their effects in detail.
Use short, embedded quotations and work through the text in order or by theme.
Why should you spend most of your essay on analysis rather than retelling?
- AO1 (understanding) is 12 marks.
- AO2 (analysis of language and structure) is 18 marks.
- Retelling only shows basic understanding.
Answer: Because AO2 analysis is worth 18 of the 30 marks.
Paper 2 Section A: one essay on a Part 2 text (provided), 30 marks (AO1 12, AO2 18), about 45 minutes. Cover the bullet points and focus on how language and structure create meaning.
The interactive lesson includes the diagrams for this topic.
Check you have got it
Answer 6 quick questions with instant marking. If you get one wrong, GCSE-ready shows you why and gives you another go. It is free, and you do not need an account.