Component 1: 20th Century Literature Reading and Creative Prose Writing - complete overview - Eduqas GCSE English Language

Component 1 of Eduqas GCSE English Language (C700), 20th Century Literature Reading and Creative Prose Writing, lasts 1 hour 45 minutes and is worth 40 percent of the qualification. It pairs reading on one unseen 20th-century literary prose extract (Section A) with one creative prose writing task (Section B). Because the text is unseen, the component tests transferable reading and writing skill, not memorised content. This overview maps the two sections, the assessment objectives, and how to study them.

Section A: reading the literary extract

Section A is reading on a single unseen 20th-century literary prose extract (a passage from a novel or short story). The questions test three reading objectives and rise in tariff.

• Reading the extract (the foundation). Read for a fast overview of character, setting and mood before answering anything. See reading 20th-century literary prose.
• The AO1 list question. A short, low-tariff retrieval task on a named set of lines: list separate facts you learn, quickly, and move on.
• Analysing language (AO2). Explain how the writer's word choices and imagery create effects, moving from method to effect. See analysing fiction language.
• Analysing structure (AO2). Read the whole-text shape (opening, shifts, ending) and explain its effect, distinct from language and plot. See analysing fiction structure.
• Evaluating critically (AO4). Form a personal, critical judgement on how successfully the writer achieves an effect, supported by analysed evidence. See evaluating the text critically.
• Responding to a statement (AO4). The 'to what extent do you agree' question: weigh a statement against the text and commit to a defended judgement. See responding to a statement.

Section B: creative prose writing

Section B is one creative (narrative or descriptive) prose task chosen from a short list of titles, and it is the major writing task on the paper.

• Creative prose writing (AO5 and AO6). Choose a title, plan a controlled shape, craft vivid and engaging prose, and leave time to check accuracy. See creative prose writing.

The piece is marked on AO5 (engaging, well-organised, imaginative content) and AO6 (a range of vocabulary and sentence structures with accurate spelling and punctuation). AO6 carries a large share of the marks, so accuracy is worth as much as flair.

The assessment objectives on Component 1

Section A reading uses AO1, AO2 and AO4; Section B writing uses AO5 and AO6.

• AO1 - identify and interpret explicit and implicit information (the list question).
• AO2 - analyse how the writer uses language and structure to achieve effects, using subject terminology.
• AO4 - evaluate the text critically and support this with textual references.
• AO5 - communicate clearly, effectively and imaginatively, and organise ideas.
• AO6 - use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures with accurate spelling and punctuation.

How to study Component 1

1. Read for an overview first. Always grasp character, setting and mood before answering, because the analysis and evaluation questions depend on it.
2. Move from method to effect. Naming a language or structural feature earns little; explaining its effect on the reader is what AO2 and AO4 reward.
3. Evaluate, do not describe. The AO4 questions reward a critical, personal judgement, including a measured stance on a statement, not a retelling of the mood.
4. Plan your creative piece. Choose the title you can develop best and plan a controlled shape before writing, with a deliberate ending.
5. Protect your accuracy marks. AO6 is a large share of the Section B marks, so leave time to check spelling, punctuation and sentence boundaries.

For the official specification

Eduqas publishes the specification (C700), past papers, mark schemes and insert texts at eduqas.co.uk. Always revise from the current specification and Eduqas's own past papers, because question wording and mark schemes are board-specific.