How to revise for Paper One Section B
In 10 easy steps:
1. revise the key phrases and features of writing to PERSUADE, ARGUE, ADVISE by making flash cards on A4 coloured paper
e.g. 5 persuasive devices on one side of the card with an example on the other side
- rhetorical questions Why are we allowing this?
- dare to disagree Everyone knows that…
- emotive language This horrific torture…
- presenting opinion as fact There is only one way to …
- using collective pronouns (‘we’ ‘us’) and second person (‘you’ ‘your’) Surely, we cannot let ….your conscience must tell you…
2. look at past paper questions on http://www.aqa.org.uk/qual/gcse/eng_a_assess.html
practise planning an answer in 10 minutes
3. practise writing under timed conditions. You have 45 minutes for this section.
4. the examiner wants to see that you can SHAPE your writing to suit a particular audience (e.g. teenagers, tourists, parents) and purpose (to make someone consider their view of something, to change their mind, to help them)
5. revise the key phrases and features of each text type (writing to persuade/argue/advise)
6. make sure you can use a good variety of devices and vocabulary
7. Look at this example question from last year’s exam, think about the PURPOSE and AUDIENCE of each text type and the devices and vocabulary you would need to get top ,marks in each one
(PERSUADE)
Write the text for a car advertisement aimed at young men, which persuades them to buy the car.
(ARGUE)
Write an article for a magazine aimed at teenagers in which you argue that students should be taught to drive at school.
(ADVISE)
Write an advice sheet for people who are newcomers to your area.
8. The writing task is usually connected by theme to the texts you have read for section A, so there might be some key vocabulary and ideas that you could use.
