How to Structure GCSE English Language Paper 2

GCSE English Language Paper 2 is a 1 hour 45 minute exam worth 80 marks, built around two non-fiction texts from different time periods. Section A tests your ability to read, summarise, and compare viewpoints; Section B asks you to write your own persuasive or informative non-fiction piece. Both sections demand clear, purposeful writing under time pressure.

Note: the information below reflects the AQA specification (8700). Other exam boards (OCR, Pearson/Edexcel) have different structures — always check your own board's specification.

What is on GCSE English Language Paper 2?

Paper 2 centres on two non-fiction sources. These are often from different historical periods — one might be from the nineteenth or early twentieth century, the other more recent. Both sources share a theme or topic, allowing you to compare the writers' attitudes and methods.

Section A — Reading (40 marks): Four questions on the two sources, progressing from retrieval to language analysis to comparison.

Section B — Writing (40 marks): One extended piece of transactional non-fiction writing — such as a letter, a speech, an article, or an essay — on a topic connected to the theme of the reading texts.

How much time should you spend on each question?

Question | Marks | Recommended time | What it tests
Q1 | 4 | 5 minutes | Select four true statements from Source A
Q2 | 8 | 10 minutes | Summarise differences between Source A and Source B on a specific aspect
Q3 | 12 | 15 minutes | Analyse how the writer of Source A uses language to achieve effects
Q4 | 16 | 20 minutes | Compare how both writers convey their attitudes and perspectives
Reading total | 40 | 50 minutes | —
Q5 | 40 | 45 minutes (+ 5 min planning) | Transactional non-fiction writing
Total | 80 | 1h 45min | —

Read both sources carefully before attempting any questions — allow ten minutes for this at the start.

How should you approach Questions 1 and 2?

Question 1 is retrieval only. Select four true statements from a specific section of Source A. Do not infer, do not analyse — simply identify what is clearly stated. If a statement requires you to read between the lines, it is probably not the answer intended.

Question 2 asks you to summarise differences between the two sources on a particular aspect. The key word is summarise — not quote, not analyse in depth. Write in your own words as much as possible, using brief supporting references to each source. Aim for three to four clear comparisons, each about two sentences long.

How should you approach Question 3?

Question 3 focuses on language analysis for Source A (or sometimes Source B — check the paper). It is similar to Q2 in Paper 1, but the source is non-fiction, so the techniques you discuss should be appropriate to non-fiction: rhetorical devices, emotive language, formal or informal register, statistics, direct address, and structural choices.

Structure your answer using developed analytical paragraphs. Each paragraph should:

State a point about how the writer uses language

Provide a short, well-chosen quotation

Explain the effect on the reader

Zoom into a specific word to show word-level awareness

Avoid listing techniques without analysis. Three detailed, developed points earn more than six superficial ones.

How should you tackle Question 4?

Question 4 is the most demanding reading question and carries 16 marks. It asks you to compare how both writers convey their attitudes, perspectives, or feelings on the shared theme.

What a strong Q4 response does:

Identifies each writer's viewpoint and states it clearly at the start.

Compares — does not write about Source A then Source B separately. Every point should involve both writers simultaneously.

Focuses on perspective and attitude, not just language technique. The question is about what the writers think and feel, supported by how they write.

Uses comparative connectives throughout: "While Source A presents... Source B takes the opposing view...", "Both writers... however...", "Unlike Source A, the writer of Source B..."

Quotes from both sources in each paragraph.

Weak approach | Strong approach
Write about Source A (three paragraphs), then Source B (three paragraphs) | Integrate both sources within every analytical paragraph
Name techniques without linking to attitude | Always ask: "What does this technique reveal about how the writer feels?"
Quote at length | Embed short, precise quotations within your own analysis

How should you approach Question 5?

Question 5 asks you to write a piece of transactional non-fiction — a speech, article, letter, or formal essay — on a topic related to the theme of the reading texts. It is worth 40 marks: 24 for content and organisation, 16 for technical accuracy.

Five principles for Q5 Paper 2:

Identify the form and match the conventions. A letter needs a greeting and sign-off; an article needs a headline and subheadings; a speech needs direct address and a rhetorical register. Using the correct form features signals genre awareness.

Establish your viewpoint early. The question usually asks you to argue, persuade, or advise. State your position clearly in your opening paragraph and sustain it throughout.

Use a range of persuasive techniques. Direct address, statistics, expert opinion (you can invent plausible examples), rhetorical questions, and the rule of three all belong in persuasive non-fiction.

Structure your argument. Open with your position, develop it through three to four points with evidence, anticipate and counter an opposing view, and close with a call to action or memorable final statement.

Proofread. As with Paper 1, sixteen marks depend on technical accuracy. Five minutes checking spelling and punctuation is not wasted.

What are the most common mistakes on Paper 2?

Treating Q4 as two separate essays. The comparison must be integrated, not sequential. Examiners award low marks for responses that write about Source A in full and then Source B in full without ever connecting them.

Using the wrong tone for Q5. If the task asks for a formal speech, contractions and slang are inappropriate. If it asks for a blog post, stiff formality will sound unnatural. Read the form requirement carefully before writing.

Neglecting to summarise in Q2. Many students quote extensively in Q2 instead of paraphrasing. The question rewards your ability to synthesise information, not to copy it.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to use both sources in every question?

No. Q1 and Q3 focus on one source each. Q2 and Q4 require you to use both. Check each question carefully — it will specify which source or sources to use.

Can I use information from the reading texts in my Q5 writing?

You may refer to the reading texts briefly if it is helpful and relevant, but Q5 is assessing your own writing, not your reading comprehension. Do not summarise the sources at length in your written response. The topic connects thematically, but your ideas, voice, and argument are what earn marks.

How is Paper 2 different from Paper 1 in terms of skills?

Paper 1 focuses on literary fiction and creative/descriptive writing. Paper 2 focuses on non-fiction and persuasive/transactional writing. In Paper 1, your reading analysis tends to focus on imagery, narrative voice, and structural choices in fiction; in Paper 2, it focuses on rhetorical techniques, purpose, and viewpoint in non-fiction. Your Q5 writing in Paper 1 is imaginative; in Paper 2 it is purposeful and audience-directed.

Is there a particular structure I should use for the comparison in Q4?

No single structure is required, but the most consistently effective approach is to use a point-by-point comparison (one paragraph, two writers compared) rather than a text-by-text approach (all of Source A, then all of Source B). Begin each analytical paragraph with a comparative statement, then support it with evidence from both texts.

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