← Northern Ireland English Language
Northern Ireland · CCEASyllabus
English Language syllabus, dot point by dot point
Every dot point in the Northern Ireland English Languagesyllabus, with a focused answer for each one. Click any dot point for a worked explainer, past exam questions, and links to related dot points. Written by Claude Opus 4.8, Anthropic's latest AI.
Unit 4: Personal or creative writing and reading
Module overview →- How do you compare a literary text with a non-fiction text, weighing their ideas and methods together?Comparing and linking literary and non-fiction texts on Unit 4 (AO2), cross-referencing their ideas, viewpoints and methods in an integrated comparison across different text types.9 min answer →
- How do you write vivid descriptive prose using sensory detail and imagery without a plot?Writing descriptive prose on Unit 4 (AO3 and AO4), using sensory detail, imagery and a controlling idea to create atmosphere and a vivid impression, with structure but without relying on plot.9 min answer →
- How do you craft a short narrative with structure, character and a controlled ending under exam conditions?Writing a creative narrative on Unit 4 (AO3 and AO4), controlling structure, viewpoint, character and pace within a short piece, and crafting an opening and ending that work rather than over-plotting.9 min answer →
- How do you write a personal or reflective piece with a genuine voice and a shaped structure?Writing a personal or reflective piece on Unit 4 (AO3 and AO4), developing an authentic voice and viewpoint, selecting significant experience, and shaping the piece with reflection rather than mere recount.9 min answer →
- How do you analyse an unseen literary text, reading its language, structure and the writer's intentions?Reading and analysing unseen literary texts on Unit 4 (AO2), interpreting writers' ideas and perspectives and analysing how language and structure create effects and engage the reader.9 min answer →
- How do you read an unseen literary non-fiction text for viewpoint, voice and the writer's craft?Reading and analysing unseen non-fiction texts on Unit 4 (AO2), interpreting the writer's viewpoint and voice and analysing how language and structure shape the reader's response in literary non-fiction such as autobiography and travel writing.9 min answer →
Unit 1: Reading non-fiction and media texts
Module overview →- How do you compare two non-fiction or media texts, weighing their ideas, viewpoints and methods together?Comparing and cross-referencing two non-fiction or media texts on Unit 1 (AO2), weighing their ideas, viewpoints and methods and writing an integrated comparison rather than two separate accounts.9 min answer →
- How do you find both the stated information and the implied meaning in an unseen non-fiction or media text?Retrieving explicit information and inferring implicit meaning from unseen non-fiction and media texts on Unit 1 (AO2), matching the number of points to the marks and supporting inference with evidence.9 min answer →
- How do you tell fact from opinion in a non-fiction text, and explain how a writer uses both to create bias?Distinguishing fact from opinion in non-fiction and media texts on Unit 1 (AO2), and evaluating how a writer blends fact, opinion and bias to influence the reader.9 min answer →
- How do you analyse the language a non-fiction writer uses to influence the reader, moving from method to effect?Analysing how non-fiction and media writers use language devices on Unit 1 (AO2), naming methods with subject terminology and explaining their effect on the reader rather than spotting features.9 min answer →
- How do you analyse presentational and structural features of a media text and explain their effect on the reader?Identifying and analysing presentational features of non-fiction and media texts on Unit 1 (AO2), such as headlines, images, layout, colour, fonts and captions, and explaining how they engage and influence the reader.9 min answer →
- How do you identify the purpose and audience of an unseen non-fiction or media text, and prove it from the page?Identifying the purpose and intended audience of unseen non-fiction and media texts on Unit 1 (AO2), and explaining how language and presentation reveal who the text is for and what it sets out to do.9 min answer →
Unit 2: Speaking and listening endorsement
Module overview →- How do you contribute effectively to a group discussion, balancing speaking and listening?Taking part in a group discussion on Unit 2 (AO1), contributing ideas, listening and responding to others, building on and challenging contributions, and helping the discussion move forward.9 min answer →
- How do you prepare and deliver an individual presentation that communicates clearly and handles questions?Delivering an individual presentation on Unit 2 (AO1), structuring and sustaining talk for an audience, using Standard English where appropriate, and responding to questions afterwards.9 min answer →
- How do you listen actively and use Standard English and register across the speaking and listening tasks?Listening and responding and using spoken Standard English on Unit 2 (AO1), engaging with speakers' ideas, adapting register to situation and audience, and using Standard English effectively across the endorsement tasks.9 min answer →
- How do you sustain a role in a drama-based speaking task and respond in character to others?Taking part in a role play or drama-based speaking task on Unit 2 (AO1), creating and sustaining a role, adapting language to the situation and character, and responding spontaneously to others in role.9 min answer →
Unit 3: Studying spoken and written language
Module overview →- How do you handle data, evidence and terminology to write a strong analytical response in Unit 3?Selecting and handling data in the Unit 3 controlled assessment (AO2, AO3 and AO4), annotating transcripts and texts, choosing precise evidence, using terminology accurately and structuring an analytical response.9 min answer →
- What are the distinctive features of real spoken language, and how do you identify them in a transcript?Identifying the features of spoken language on Unit 3 (AO2), such as fillers, false starts, repetition, elision, non-fluency and turn-taking, and explaining what they show about real talk and the speakers.9 min answer →
- How do you analyse accent, dialect, idiolect and sociolect, and the place of Standard and non-standard English?Analysing varieties of spoken English on Unit 3 (AO2), including accent, dialect, idiolect and sociolect, and the relationship between Standard and non-standard English, with attitudes to these varieties.9 min answer →
- How do you analyse the way spoken language varies according to context, audience and purpose?Studying how spoken language varies by context, audience and purpose on Unit 3 (AO2), analysing why people speak differently in different situations and writing an evidenced analytical response.9 min answer →
- How do you analyse a written or media text for its language, presentation and how it targets an audience?Studying written and media language on Unit 3 (AO2), analysing the language and presentational features of written, media and multimodal texts and how they target purpose and audience, in an evidenced analytical response.9 min answer →
Unit 1: Writing for purpose and audience
Module overview →- How do you choose and shape the right form for a writing task so it fits its stated purpose and audience?Matching form, purpose and audience in transactional writing on Unit 1 (AO3), choosing the correct text type (article, letter, speech, report, leaflet or blog) and using its conventions to fit the task.9 min answer →
- How do you use persuasive and rhetorical techniques in your own writing without overloading it?Using persuasive and rhetorical techniques in transactional writing on Unit 1 (AO3), deploying devices such as direct address, rhetorical questions, triples and emotive language deliberately to engage and influence the reader.9 min answer →
- How do you control register and tone so your writing sounds right for its purpose and reader?Controlling register and tone in transactional writing on Unit 1 (AO3), choosing formal or informal language and a consistent tone that suit the purpose and audience of the task.9 min answer →
- How do you plan and structure a transactional piece so it is coherent, cohesive and well paragraphed?Organising and structuring transactional writing on Unit 1 (AO3), planning before writing and using paragraphs, sequencing and cohesive devices to build a coherent whole text with a strong opening and ending.9 min answer →
- How do you protect the technical accuracy marks for spelling, punctuation, grammar and sentence variety?Writing with technical accuracy on Unit 1 (AO4), using a range of sentence structures with accurate spelling and punctuation, and proofreading to secure the accuracy marks that apply to every writing task.9 min answer →