Paper 2 Writers' viewpoints and perspectives: complete overview - AQA GCSE English Language

Paper 2, Writers' viewpoints and perspectives, is one of the two equally weighted papers in AQA GCSE English Language (8700). It lasts 1 hour 45 minutes, is worth 80 marks (50% of the GCSE), and uses two unseen non-fiction texts from different time periods. This overview maps the question order, the reading skills, the viewpoint writing task, and how to study the whole paper.

The shape of the paper

The paper has two equally weighted sections. Section A is reading on two unseen non-fiction texts (typically one 19th-century and one modern), worth 40 marks. Section B is writing to present a viewpoint, also worth 40 marks. Because the texts are unseen, the paper tests transferable reading and writing skills.

Section A: the four reading questions

• Question 1, true-or-false retrieval (AO1). Select the statements that are true according to a named part of one text. Read precisely and stay inside the lines. See finding and synthesising information.
• Question 2, synthesis (AO1). Combine both texts to summarise their differences on a topic, with linked evidence. See finding and synthesising information.
• Question 3, language (AO2). Analyse how the writer of one named text uses language to achieve effects, including persuasive and rhetorical devices. See analysing non-fiction language.
• Question 4, comparison (AO3). Compare how the two writers convey their different perspectives and attitudes. This is the only AO3 question in the qualification and the highest tariff on the paper. See comparing perspectives and attitudes.

Section B: writing to present a viewpoint

Section B asks for one non-fiction piece presenting a point of view in a named form, for a named audience, worth 40 marks. AO5 (24 marks) rewards a clear, well-argued and well-structured response matched to purpose and audience; AO6 (16 marks) rewards accurate, varied sentences, vocabulary, spelling and punctuation. See writing to present a viewpoint.

How the marks split

Section A reading is 40 marks across the four questions, weighted towards the synthesis, language and comparison questions. Section B writing is 40 marks: 24 for AO5 and 16 for AO6. As on Paper 1, the fixed 16 AO6 marks make proofreading essential.

How to study Paper 2

1. Master synthesis. Practise weaving both texts together around differences, with linked evidence, rather than writing about them separately.
2. Pin down viewpoint before comparing. State each writer's perspective clearly, then compare how each conveys it.
3. Integrate the AO3 comparison. Move between both texts within paragraphs around shared ideas, using comparative connectives.
4. Write to form, audience and purpose. Build a real line of argument with deliberate rhetoric, matched to the named form and audience.
5. Protect your accuracy marks. Reserve five minutes to proofread for AO6 on every practice paper.

For the official specification

AQA publishes the specification (8700), past papers, mark schemes and the insert texts at aqa.org.uk. Always revise from the current specification and AQA's own past papers, because question wording and mark schemes are board-specific.