Open the app
  1. Home
  2. Lessons
  3. GCSE & IGCSE English Language
  4. The non-fiction Anthology and Question 4

The non-fiction Anthology and Question 4

🎬 The doodle video for this lesson is coming soon. Subscribe on YouTube to see it first.

Part 1 of the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English Anthology contains ten non-fiction texts. One is printed in Paper 1, and Question 4 asks how its writer uses language and structure.

The Part 1 texts

Study all ten: you will not know which one appears.

Question 4: 12 marks, AO2

A typical task: how does the writer use language and structure to convey their views or experience?
Examiners advise focusing on how, exploring effects in that particular text, and working through the whole passage.
For each text, revise: the writer's purpose and perspective, the key moments, and the main language and structural choices.

Practice with an original text

This is not an Anthology text. It is written to practise the skill.
Worked example

How does the writer of the ice extract use structure to convey the experience?

  1. It opens with fear: the ice 'groaned'.
  2. The middle stresses emptiness and lost distance.
  3. A turning point, 'Then, halfway across', brings the fish.
  4. The short final sentences show fear joined by wonder.

Answer: It moves from fear and emptiness to a turning point at the fish, ending with short sentences that show fear joined by wonder.

Key idea

Know all ten Part 1 texts: purpose, perspective, key moments and methods. For Question 4 (AO2, 12 marks) explore how language and structure create effects across the whole text.

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.

Practise this lesson free (6 questions)All GCSE & IGCSE English Language lessons