GCSE English Literature

GCSE English Language

AQA GCSE English Language (8700) and GCSE English Literature
(8702)
What do I need to know?
GCSE English Language: Paper 1 (Creative Reading and
Writing)
1. Identifying key points
2. Analysing language
3. Analysing structure
4. Evaluating a text
5. Writing descriptions
6. Writing stories

GCSE English Language: Paper 2 (Writers Viewpoints and

Perspectives)
1. Identifying true statements
2. Summarising evidence from across two texts
3. Analysing language
4. Comparing how writers use language across two texts
5. Writing to present a viewpoint (e.g. explain, argue and persuade)

GCSE English Literature: Paper 1 (Shakespeare and 19th

Century Novel)
SECTION A: MACBETH:
1. Understanding of the whole plot structure
2. Ability to analyse an extract
3. Linking an extract to the rest of the play
4. Memorising quotes from different themes/characters/dramatic
devices
5. Context (background of the play i.e. Shakespeare, Elizabethan
era)
SECTION B: JEKYLL AND HYDE:

1. Understanding of the whole plot structure

2. Ability to analyse an extract
3. Linking an extract to the rest of the novella
4. Memorising quotes from different themes/characters/devices i.e.
settings
5. Context (background of the novella i.e. Victorian period,
Darwinism, gothic genre)

GCSE English Literature: Paper 2 (Modern Texts and Poetry)

SECTION A: AN INSPECTOR CALLS:
1. Understanding of the whole plot structure
2. Memorising quotes from different themes/characters/dramatic
devices
3. Understanding of key terminology e.g. dramatic irony
4. Zooming in on language
5. Context (background i.e. 1912 vs. 1945, J. B. Priestley, Capitalism
vs. Socialism)
SECTION B: POWER AND CONFLICT:

1. Understanding of the poems

2. Memorising key points on form and structure for each poem
3. Memorising key points on language and techniques for each
poem
4. Ability to analyse the devices and make comparisons
5. Context (background of each poem)
6. Links/Comparisons between poems i.e. the themes for each
SECTION C: UNSEEN POETRY

1. Understanding of how to analyse a poem i.e. MITSL

2. Understanding of different language and structural techniques
3. How to structure response
4. How to compare two unseen poems