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Analysis and Investigation

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do you analyse and compare unseen texts under exam conditions?

Exam text analysis: analysing and comparing unseen texts using the discourse framework, building a comparative argument, and writing to time.
An Edexcel A-Level English Language (9EN0) answer on exam text analysis, covering the discourse (mode, field, tenor) framework, comparing unseen texts, building a comparative thesis, integrating context and theory, and writing analytically under timed conditions.
12 min answer →

What toolkit do you use to analyse any English text, and how do you move from naming a feature to proving its effect?

Methods of language analysis: the language levels of phonology, lexis and semantics, grammar, pragmatics, discourse and graphology, and moving from feature to effect.
An Edexcel A-Level English Language (9EN0) answer on methods of language analysis: the language levels (phonology, lexis and semantics, grammar and morphology, pragmatics, discourse and graphology), the GRAPE and discourse frameworks, and how to move systematically from naming a feature to proving its effect on audience and purpose.
13 min answer →

How do you craft original writing to a genre, audience and purpose, and reflect analytically on your own linguistic choices?

Original writing and commentary: writing for a chosen genre, audience and purpose using a style model, and reflecting analytically on linguistic choices in a commentary.
An Edexcel A-Level English Language (9EN0) answer on the coursework original writing and commentary: using a style model, crafting for a precise genre, audience and purpose, and writing a reflective commentary that analyses your own linguistic choices with the language levels and metalanguage.
12 min answer →

How do you plan, run and write up an independent language investigation that reaches genuine, evidence-led conclusions?

The language investigation: framing a focused research question, collecting and handling data ethically, applying analytical methods, and writing up findings.
An Edexcel A-Level English Language (9EN0) answer on the coursework language investigation: framing a narrow research question, collecting data ethically, applying the language levels and named theory, presenting quantitative and qualitative findings, and structuring the write-up for the non-exam assessment.
13 min answer →