ENGLISH

PAPER 2
REVISION GUIDE
ENGLISH PAPER 2
SECTION A – READING [NON-FICTION]

[40 MARKS] 50 minutes

In this section you will be given TWO texts to

read and compare/contrast. They will have a
common theme or subject matter but will
usually be different text types.

SECTION B – WRITING

[40 MARKS] 70 minutes

There will be TWO written tasks to do, with no

choice.
Each task will cover one of these two writing
triplets:
i) argue, persuade, advise 35 minutes
ii) analyse, review, comment 35 minutes

ENGLISH PAPER 2 - SECTION A: READING

NON-FICTION AND MEDIA
In PAPER 2, SECTION A, you will be given TWO texts to read. These will be NON-FICTION
and I /or MEDIA texts. You will be asked to answer about 4 questions on the texts. One or two
questions will be on TEXT 1, one or two questions will be on TEXT 2 and ONE question will
probably ask you to compare the texts. Although there may be some variation, this is the
general pattern. You are advised to spend about 50 minutes on this section.

Text types may include:

newspaper articles, web pages, letters, magazine articles, leaflets, fact sheets,
magazine/newspaper features, reviews, advertisements, travel guides, extracts from
diaries, biographies or autobiographies.

TEN TOP TIPS FOR THE READING SECTION

1. Look BRIEFLY AT BOTH TEXTS noting what types of text s they are
2. Read the first question, TAKING NOTE of any key words so that you know what you are
looking out for when you read the FIRST TEXT or PART OF TEXT that the question
refers to
3. Go through the text METHODICALLY PICKING OUT EVIDENCE that will help you
answer the question. You can highlight or underline the text as you wish but don’t spend
too long on this part. You won’t be given marks for your beautifully colour coded
highlighting skills!
4. The first question is often an INFORMATION RETRIEVAL question; if it asks you to
LIST, do exactly that – one point on each line. If it asks for ten things, try to list 12. You
DON’T need to write in sentences
5. Repeat numbers 2&3 for each question
6. USE THE BULLET POINTS on the exam paper to help you structure your answer
7. Answer the question! It sounds obvious but make sure you stick to the point; don’t waffle!
8. In particular, comment on how particular effects are achieved; make sure that your
answers address what is asked in the question
9. Don’t spend too long on the earlier questions at the expense of the later ones
10. Don’t make vague generalised comments about pictures and layout

PAPER 2 - TYPICAL QUESTIONS

INFORMATION RETRIEVAL [Search and find]
• List reasons or details/Make a list of… [more common on the Foundation
tier]
• According to this text or writer…/what/why… [more common on the Higher
tier]
• Explain how and/or why [more common on the
Higher tier]
• What evidence does the writer use… [more common on the
Higher tier]

IMPRESSIONS
• What impression do you get of… [the writer/an organisation/a person] from
this article?

VIEWPOINT/ATTITUDE
• What is the writer’s attitude to …
• What are the writer’s opinions about…
• What are the writer’s thoughts and feelings about…
[use the 3rd person when answering this type of question]

INTENDED AUDIENCE
• Who is this text aimed at? [usually only about adverts]

ANALYSIS OF PERSUASIVE TECHNIQUES [almost always one of these

questions]
• How does the writer try to encourage/interest/argue…
• How does the writer try to persuade/sell/influence…

Think about: WHAT is said and HOW it is said [how would include TONE and
STRUCTURE]

COMPARISON OF TEXTS [always one of these questions]

• Compare and contrast these texts
• Using information from both texts, explain why…

Don’t just look for points of difference but also points of similarity.
Use words other than ‘this means’. Use analytical words such as: mentions,
stresses, emphasises, conveys, suggests, highlights, points out
 SAMPLE PAPER – 2005
[You will need the resources to go with this: The Fairtrade Banana Campaign Sheet
produced by the Fairtrade Foundation and ‘We’re all going bananas’ newspaper article
written by Robin McKie]

SECTION A: 40 marks

Look at the newspaper article ‘We’re all going bananas’

A1. Look again at the first five paragraphs [up to ‘between sets and rallies’] of the
newspaper article.

List ten separate things mentioned in the first five paragraphs which help explain why bananas
are so popular. [10]

Now look again at the whole newspaper article.

A2. How does the writer make this article interesting? [10]
You should consider:
• what we are told about bananas and why this is interesting
• how facts and figures are used in this article
• the headline and use of photographs
• the choice of words, and any other ways in which the writer interests the reader

Now look at the Fairtrade ‘Banana Campaign Sheet’

A3. How does the Fairtrade campaign sheet try to persuade you to buy only fair-trade
bananas? [10]

You should consider:

• what they tell you about typical banana farming
• why Fairtrade want you to buy their bananas
• how the campaign sheet tries to involve you
• the layout and use of headings and logo

To answer the next question you will need to consider both texts.

A4. Compare the newspaper article with the campaign sheet, using these headings:

• the purpose of each text

• the layout/presentation of each text
• how the content is similar
 • how the content is different

NOW LET’S LOOK AT HOW WE MIGHT GO ABOUT ANSWERING THESE QUESTIONS.

A1. Look again at the first five paragraphs [up to ‘between sets and rallies’] of the
newspaper article.

This phrase helps you to identify where to look. It may help you to draw a line with your pen at
the end of paragraph 5.

A key word in this question, it is even written in bold to help you, is LIST.
Hint: try to do 1 or 2 points more than asked for

List ten separate things mentioned in the first five paragraphs which help explain
why bananas are so popular. [10]

This is the main point of the question; what you are looking for in the text

So you are going to answer by writing a LIST of 10-12 things that say why bananas are popular.
You do not need to write sentences; bullet points are fine but do summarise the key points using
your own words.
This is an easy question and you should aim to get full marks on this type of question.
N.B. On the HIGHER tier paper this type of question [finding information] may be phrased
as ‘What evidence is there …?’ It is still about finding as many points as you can.

Now look again at the whole newspaper article.

A2. How does the writer make this article interesting? [10]
How questions are about CONTENT [WHAT] as well as METHODS [HOW]
Use the bullet points to structure your answer and you won’t go far wrong.

• what we are told about bananas and why this is interesting – don’t list
everything we are told but try to summarise by organising the points into 3 or 4
main sections. For example, we are told about the HEALTH benefits, how the
popularity of bananas shows the ECONOMIC prosperity of a country, the HISTORY
of the introduction of bananas and the PLIGHT of banana plantation workers.
• ATTENTION! Remember to address the second part of the question ‘why this is
interesting’ – it tells us things we didn’t know about something we take for granted
• how facts and figures are used in this article – to add authority to the argument
and to engage our interest; there are some amazing statistics
• the headline and use of photographs – a play on words, a light-hearted tone and
use of well-known personalities to attract our interest and support the points being
made
• the choice of words, and any other ways in which the writer interests the
reader – lots to choose from here but remember to focus on individual words and
comment on them. Words which emphasise the sharp rise in sales: ‘soaring
popularity’, ‘boom’ ‘rocketed’ ‘ addiction’, emotive language: ‘life-enhancing’,
‘eclipsing’, ‘near-starvation’; echoes to a popular phrase ‘Bananas are us’ etc.
 Now look at the Fairtrade ‘Banana Campaign Sheet’

A3. How does the Fairtrade campaign sheet try to persuade you to
buy only fair-trade bananas?
[10]

Think about all the persuasive techniques you have learned about:
assertion, facts, opinions, rhetorical questions, emotive language,
statistics, rule of three, speaking directly to the reader [‘you’] and using
imperative verbs [words which give an instruction]
[Which of these techniques are used here?]
You should consider:
• what they tell you about typical banana farming
• why Fairtrade want you to buy their bananas
• how the campaign sheet tries to involve you
• the layout and use of headings and logo

uses colour from logo well known and instantly

identifiable
bold sub-headings
 To answer the next question you will need to consider both
texts.

A4. Compare the newspaper article with the campaign sheet, using
these headings:
• the purpose of each text: [informative/entertaining
compared to persuasive/to promote action?]
• the layout/presentation of each text: [headings, sub-
headings, colour, paragraphs, columns, bullet points,
photographs etc.]
• how the content is similar [use of factual information,
references to fair-trade and condition of workers, some
emotive language]
• how the content is different: [the emphasis, what each text

ENGLISH PAPER 2 – SECTION B: WRITING

This writing section tests TRANSACTIONAL and DISCURSIVE writing. There are TWO questions in this
section with NO CHOICE; you are advised to spend about 35 minutes on each. This includes: writing to
argue, persuade, advise and writing to analyse, review, comment.

You need to think about:

• who is the writing aimed at?
• how formal does the writing need to be therefore?
• how shall I set it out?

Here are some of the different formats you might be expected to use:

 newspaper/magazine article
 web page
 letter
 leaflet/fact sheet
 review
 advertisement
  travel guide
 report

ARGUE - does not mean having an argument or disagreement, but putting a strong case forward.
Your argument, or line of reasoning, should be presented clearly and logically, and will often involve
evidence or reasons.

Often the questions in the writing section are linked to themes from Section A. If the articles in Section A
were about homelessness for example, you might be asked to ARGUE the case for allowing a shelter for
homeless people in your neighbourhood. You can use the facts and information given in the READING
section, although you must present them using your own words.
Because you should present your case in a logical way, you might find the following words useful in
sequencing an argument. They would be suitable for a formal piece of writing to a teenage or adult
audience.

Firstly…secondly….finally Similarly
In addition However
Furthermore It seems clear
This suggests In particular
A further point worth considering Equally
Logically, therefore Clearly
It is obvious Obviously
Above all It could be said
To sum up In conclusion

PERSUADE - this is very similar to how you might write an argument, but with the addition of a
number of devices to help you persuade the reader to your point of view.

If the READING in Section A had been about the use and abuse of animals, for example, you might be
asked to write an article persuading the reader that fox-hunting was cruel or that fox-hunting was
necessary to keep the fox population down.

Remember to use some of the PERSUASIVE devices that you use when analysing texts in the
READING section [Think AFOREST] Examples of AFOREST persuasive techniques:

ADDRESSING THE READER DIRECTLY

You may not realise it but since the ban on hunting 10,000 jobs have been lost.

ASSERTION
It is a well known fact that foxes do not suffer when they are killed by hounds.

ALLITERATION
Foxes are not the cute creatures everybody believes they are.

FACTS
Since the ban on hunting, 10,000 jobs have been lost.
[Make up facts to support your argument if you need to]

OPINIONS
The freedom to choose how to spend your leisure time is a fundamental right in a democratic society.
Foxes are pests.

RHETORICAL QUESTIONS
Is it fair for hundreds of so called sportsmen to chase after one poor innocent creature?

REPETITION
It has always been a cruel pastime; it is cruel now, and will continue to be cruel as long as we allow this
barbaric practice to continue.

EXAGGERATION
The end of fox hunting spells the end of civilisation as we know it.

EMOTIVE LANGUAGE
These beautiful creatures are under threat from savage dogs.

STATISTICS
Since hunting has been banned, 10,000 dogs have had to be put down.

SUPERLATIVES
Foxes are the most beautiful creatures

THREE [RULE OF]

I ask you now to consider the implications of fox hunting; I ask you now to do something about it; I ask
you now to help us to end this barbaric practice.

Depending on the format of your writing, e.g. a leaflet, magazine article etc., you could also use
presentational devices to support your points.
BUT DON’T SPEND TIME DOING DRAWINGS AND BUBBLE WRITING!!
EXAMPLE OF WRITING TO ARGUE – A FORMAL LETTER

A local business man has applied for permission to hold an outdoor music
festival in your area. Write a letter to your local newspaper either supporting
or opposing the idea.
15 The Green
Waterbeach
Cambridge
CB4 2PT
The Editor
Cambridge Evening News
Winship Road
Milton
Cambridge
CB4 1TZ
8 April 2009
Dear Sir,
I am writing to express my views on the proposed outdoor music festival in
Waterbeach. I am totally against such a festival and hope that you will allow me to
express my reasons why through your newspaper.
Firstly, this proposed festival is intended to attract tens of thousands of people. As
a small village, Waterbeach simply does not have the facilities to cope with these
huge numbers. Roads into and out of the village are already over-crowded, polluted
and dangerous. This festival would substantially increase these problems. Villagers
would be trapped in their own homes as thousands of marauding festival goers
clogged up the roads through this tranquil village.
Furthermore, the type of people who are likely to attend such a festival would bring
problems with them such as drugs and alcohol. We are a peaceful, law-abiding
community and such people are not welcome here.
Although some people would argue that this festival would give a much needed
boost to the local economy, I would maintain that the negative factors far outweigh
this benefit.

Perhaps the most crucial point however, is that of noise. Have you ever heard the
noise levels of the bands at the Cambridge Folk Festival? This would be twice as
noisy and not nearly as tuneful. Waterbeach has a substantial number of elderly
people and they would be seriously inconvenienced by the amount of noise such a
festival would generate. It would be loud, it would be anti-social, it would be
unacceptable.
I would therefore urge the people of Waterbeach to protest. Say no to pollution, say
no to drugs – say no to this festival.
Yours faithfully,
A. Moaner
ADVISE – this is partially about giving information and partially about directing the reader to
make appropriate choices.

It is always wise to give an overview before you launch into detailed advice, giving the reader/intended
audience some idea of the general picture before concentrating on the specifics.
e.g. If you were giving advice to a designer who had been given the job of transforming a Year 11
Common Room, you might start with:
'The effect I want you to create in re-designing the common room is of a calm and relaxing place that is
very welcoming.
Firstly….'
Because you are giving advice you need to suggest strategies, alternatives or choices.

WRITING TO ADVISE – USEFUL VOCABULARY

Giving Clear Advice

• Follow the guidelines below…

• Your first task should be…
• If you are faced with.... how about trying…
• The next step…
• Finally…

Being encouraging and motivating

• Don’t worry about…

• Boost your confidence by…
• It’s never too late to…
 • Take a positive approach…
• If you need help, just ask…

Giving the reader a choice

• You might find that…

• If this doesn’t work for you…
• Another strategy to try…

Helpful vocabulary

• Use words to suggest a plan or method – Before you begin, firstly, then, next,
furthermore, also, finally
• Use verbs to instruct/inform – you will need
• Use verbs to direct – you should, you must
• Use verbs to suggest – you might, you could
• Use words to reassure – don’t worry; you might find it difficult at first, but...
• Make the reader believe they can do something – you might find it difficult at first,
• Often when giving advice, it is appropriate to address the reader directly – YOU

Make sure,also, that you choose an appropriate TONE and that you are getting the level
of formality right.
EXAMPLE OF WRITING TO ADVISE – A LEAFLET

Write the text for a leaflet to be given out to Year 6 students advising them how to cope
with the transfer to secondary school.

Welcome to Cottenham Village College

So, you have finally got to the end of year 6 and in September you will be going up to the big
school. You are bound to feel a mixture of different emotions: excitement, nervousness and
even fear. We want you to feel comfortable at school and able to learn. You will have a lot of
questions to ask and we want to reassure that there is no need to worry. If you are in any doubt
about anything, remember that there are a lot of people here to help you: your form tutor, your
head of year and office staff will all be able to help with any problems.

Now let’s look at some practical details first:

What uniform do I need?

You will get an order form for uniform which consists of a white polo shirt and a school
sweatshirt. You should also wear black or grey trousers or a skirt. It is a good idea to put name
labels in all clothes because there will be a lot of sweatshirts exactly like yours.

What else will I need?

As well as uniform, you might want to buy some other things over the summer holidays. You
will need a good sized bag: a rucksack is most sensible so that you don’t strain your arms with
all the heavy books you will need to carry. Obviously, you will also need some pens and pencils
since the school does not provide these. You might like to buy a variety of coloured pens, felt
tips and pencils, but a roller ball or biro is essential for writing.

This is only the start of the leaflet but it gives you an idea of how to write it. Other
headings might include:
If you want to show that there might
What if I feel ill? be a picture/cartoon to accompany
What if I lose my dinner money?
the writing just use a blank text box
with a couple of words to say what the
What if the older students pick on me? picture might be.
DON’T DO THE DRAWINGS!
What if I forget to do my homework? e.g.
Cartoon of school boy clutching
What if I can’t do the lessons?
stomach

Remember that for every problem there is always a solution. Just ask if you are unsure.
Enjoy your time at Cottenham Village College!

ANALYSE, REVIEW, COMMENT

This writing triplet is mainly about discussion of a particular topic and giving your opinion about it. It is
therefore much more difficult to give clear guidelines about how to do this type of writing.
Below are some samples of this type of writing and some practice questions for you to do.

EXAMPLE OF WRITING TO COMMENT

Write an article for a travel magazine that describes the attractions of a place of your choice.
CAERPHILLY – SO MUCH MORE THAN CHEESE
Whenever anyone asks me where I live and I say ‘Caerphilly’ they always reply, ‘Where the cheese
comes from?’ So, I’m here to set the record straight. Caerphilly is so much more than just cheese.
That’s not to say that the cheese isn’t very good – it is. But there’ more to see and do in Caerphilly
than eat cheese all day. So enough about the cheese. Here’s what else Caerphilly has to offer.
Caerphilly is located about ten miles from both Cardiff, the country’s capital, and Newport. This
makes it a popular area of residence for business people who work in the city centre, but cannot
afford city centre house prices. This also means that in Caerphilly you are only a short drive away
from a wide variety of shops, enough to satisfy the needs of any shopaholic.
Caerphilly’s most striking landmark is an enormous medieval castle, which sits proudly
overlooking the town centre. The castle is the largest in Europe but is famous because of its leaning
tower. The tower lies at an almost impossible angle and leans precariously towards the moat that
surrounds the castle walls. There are many rumours about how the tower got to be leaning. One
rumour is that the tower was struck by a cannon ball, but the walls were built so well they could not
be destroyed. The real, and less romantic reason is subsidence, but the locals tend to ignore this
and continue to blame a cannonball. Whatever the reason, the castle remains one of the most
beautiful sights in Wales.
 Examiner’s comments
This is a bright well developed response. Although it is quite short, it focuses well on the
attractions of Caerphilly. There is an engaging humour in the opening and beyond, in
keeping with the needs of a travel magazine article.

Grade A/A*

EXAMPLE OF WRITING TO REVIEW

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT TIME

A story to ignite sympathy and understanding and plenty of laughs. Looking for a book that isn’t
BORING? Isn’t TYPICAL? Is REFRESHING, ENLIGHTENING and FUNNY?
Your search is over!
• I have read my way through heaps of books (do I sound sad?) and have net the tedious,
the intellectual and the downright rubbish… until I opened Mark Haddon’s ‘The Curious
Incident of the Dog in the Night Time’. I have to admit, I was stunned.
Why? What happens?
• The book follows a journey of adventure, change and tragic reality through the eyes of a
boy with Asperger’s Syndrome. Learn more and more about this syndrome and come to
realise that people with this problem face huge difficulties in every day of their lives, yet
they are just people.
• Haddon debunks the myth that kids with this syndrome are ‘freaks’ – read this and
realise that they are to be envied for their bravery, and sometimes staggering mental
ability.
So it’s good then?
• I suppose you could say that the way it is written is a bit strange – unconventional shall
we say? The story is written with absolutely no description [because of the central
character’s illness] and this may be off-putting. However, despite its surface simplicity,
it’s still pretty cool and intellectual! [or so I like to kid myself!]
Describe it in three words?
• SAD, MOVING, FUNNY
Who is it suitable for?
• I’d say anyone who feels the need to understand the way other people work – in fact my
friend who is just thirteen now wants to be a social worker after reading this novel. SO,
there you are, early teens to adulthood, it’s great for everyone.
YOUR FINAL PERSUASION
Read this book to change your perception of people. It will make you a better listener, and
an excellent judge of character: one that looks beneath the surface of people before judging
them, as the people learn to do in this novel, and as the central character himself does.
Go on – release your inner, open-minded book fiend and follow Christopher on his brave,
brave journey…
You will not regret it
[The Curious Incident… is available from all bookshops - £5.99 and great for pocket money

Now practise some of your own. Remember to spend no more than 35 minutes on each
one.

PAST PAPER QUESTIONS

N.B. The questions may not always use the words argue, persuade or advise directly;
sometimes the task is a mixture of these three.

1. Imagine your friend has decided to run the London Marathon. Write a letter giving your
opinions. [Notice that, although it does not say it directly, you will also be giving your
advice]
2. Your school is running a Healthy Eating week. Write a leaflet aimed at getting students
to eat more fruit.[This is about persuading]
3. Write a letter to a newspaper giving your opinions about a music festival which is
proposed for your town or village. [You are arguing a point of view here]
4. Write a speech for the general public arguing that professional boxing should be
banned.
5. Write a leaflet warning younger students about the danger of fireworks [you are also
advising here]

TOP TIP
REMEMBER that if you need to use facts in your
writing but you cannot remember the relevant details
– make it up!
e.g. In a recent survey, 80% of people interviewed
said that they believe there is too much violence on
television.
[I just made that up – but it sounds quite convincing!]
ENGLISH PAPER 2 – WRITING
MORE SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. You are a member of your school Student Council. Your headteacher has asked the
council to suggest ways in which the school can reduce waste and become more
actively involved in recycling. You have been asked to write a report, giving the
Student Council’s views to the Governing Body of the school.

2. A magazine is running a series of articles reviewing the year’s best releases in:
 film
 music
Choose one of these topics and write your review of the year’s best film or music
album. The articles are aimed at teenagers.

3. There has been an article in your local newspaper expressing concern that there is
too much violence on television and that this has a negative impact on children and
young people. Write a letter to the paper giving your views.

4. Your school wants to encourage students to bring healthy packed lunches. Write an
advice leaflet to parents about ideas for healthy packed lunches.

5. A magazine aimed at teenagers is running a competition. This is the aim of the

competition:
 Teenagers often complain that there is nothing to do but if they only took the time to
investigate a bit further, there is often plenty. Write an article of about 500 words
giving your ideas of what young people in your area could do to entertain themselves
without too much cost.

6. Write an article for a travel magazine encouraging people to visit a place you know
well. This could be:
 a town or city
 a park or leisure centre
 a museum
 a theme park

7. ‘If I ruled the World…’ Write a lively magazine article, aimed at the general public,
in which you present your views on one of the following topics. This should be light-
hearted and amusing rather than totally serious.
 High-heeled shoes
 The older generation
 Buses

8. Write a letter for teenagers offering advice about giving up smoking.

9. Review a book or computer game of your choice.

10. Write an advice leaflet for someone who is thinking of taking up a sport or hobby of
your choice. This could include equipment, costs, how to get started, where to go for
further advice etc.