England · WJEC EduqasSyllabus
English Language syllabus, dot point by dot point
Every dot point in the England 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.
Component 1: 20th Century Literature Reading and Creative Prose Writing
Module overview →- How do you analyse the way a fiction writer uses language to create effects, moving from naming a method to explaining its effect on the reader?Analysing how a 20th-century fiction writer uses language to achieve effects and influence the reader (AO2), the language question on Component 1 Section A, naming methods with subject terminology and explaining the effect on the reader.9 min answer →
- How do you analyse the way a fiction writer structures an extract, reading the whole-text shape rather than mistaking it for language or plot?Analysing how a 20th-century fiction writer structures the extract to achieve effects (AO2 structure), reading whole-text features such as the opening focus, shifts, contrast, repetition and the ending, and explaining the effect on the reader.9 min answer →
- How do you plan and write the Section B creative prose task on Component 1 so it scores well on both AO5 and AO6?Writing the Section B creative (narrative or descriptive) prose task on Component 1, choosing a title, planning a controlled piece, and crafting it for both content and organisation (AO5) and vocabulary, sentences and accuracy (AO6).10 min answer →
- How do you evaluate a literary extract critically for AO4, forming a personal judgement and supporting it with analysed evidence?Evaluating the 20th-century literary extract critically (AO4), forming a personal, evaluative judgement about how successfully the writer achieves an effect and supporting it with appropriate, analysed textual references.9 min answer →
- How do you read an unseen 20th-century literary prose extract under exam conditions so that you can answer the whole question range well?Reading an unseen 20th-century literary prose extract for Component 1 Section A, getting an overview of character, setting and mood quickly, and reading actively for the questions that follow (AO1, AO2 and AO4).9 min answer →
- How do you answer the 'to what extent do you agree' statement question on Component 1, weighing the statement against the text?Responding to a statement about the extract for AO4 (the 'to what extent do you agree' question), taking a clear stance, testing the statement against analysed evidence, and qualifying the judgement where the text invites it.9 min answer →
Component 2: 19th and 21st Century Non-Fiction Reading
Module overview →- How do you analyse the language of a non-fiction text for AO2, explaining how a writer's choices persuade, inform or shape the reader's response?Analysing how a non-fiction writer uses language to achieve effects and influence the reader (AO2) on Component 2, naming methods including rhetorical and persuasive devices with subject terminology and explaining the effect on the reader.9 min answer →
- How do you compare the two writers' perspectives for AO3, weaving the texts together by idea rather than analysing them one after the other?Comparing the two writers' ideas and perspectives, and how these are conveyed, across the 19th and 21st century texts (AO3), structuring the comparison by point of comparison rather than text by text and reading the differences for significance.10 min answer →
- How do you evaluate a non-fiction text critically for AO4, judging how effectively a writer persuades, informs or engages and supporting it with evidence?Evaluating the non-fiction texts critically (AO4) on Component 2, judging how effectively a writer achieves a purpose such as persuading or engaging the reader, and supporting the judgement with appropriate, analysed textual references.9 min answer →
- How do you read two unseen non-fiction texts from different centuries under exam conditions so you can answer the whole Component 2 reading range?Reading two unseen non-fiction texts, one 19th century and one 21st century, for Component 2 Section A, grasping each writer's purpose, viewpoint and audience, and reading actively across the questions (AO1, AO2, AO3 and AO4).10 min answer →
- How do you synthesise information from two non-fiction texts for AO1, pulling together what both tell you about a theme?Synthesising information and ideas from the two non-fiction texts for AO1 (the Component 2 synthesis question), selecting and combining evidence from both texts to show what they tell you about a theme, rather than treating them separately.9 min answer →
Core reading skills
Module overview →- How do you infer meaning from a text and prove it from detail, reading between the lines for AO1?Inferring and deducing meaning from explicit and implicit information (AO1), reading between the lines of a fiction or non-fiction text and anchoring every inference to the textual detail that supports it.9 min answer →
- How do you build the language toolkit and the terminology to name a writer's methods accurately for AO2?Knowing the language techniques and the subject terminology to name a writer's methods accurately (AO2), the toolkit of word-level, figurative and rhetorical methods that the language questions on both components reward.9 min answer →
- How do you recognise whole-text structural features and explain their effect, keeping structure distinct from language and plot?Recognising structural features and explaining their effect (AO2 structure), the whole-text toolkit of openings, shifts, contrast, repetition, cyclical structure and endings, kept distinct from language and from plot.9 min answer →
- How do you read a writer's voice precisely, distinguishing tone, mood and register and naming each with an apt word?Reading a writer's voice for AO2 by distinguishing tone (the writer's attitude), mood (the atmosphere created) and register (the level of formality), and naming each precisely with apt vocabulary supported by evidence.9 min answer →
- How do you select and embed textual evidence so every point is proven, across all the reading objectives?Selecting and using textual evidence to support every reading point (AO1, AO2, AO3 and AO4), choosing the smallest quotation that carries the point and embedding it fluently into your own sentence rather than dropping it in.9 min answer →
Core writing skills
Module overview →- How do you craft an opening that engages and an ending that lands, framing a piece of writing for AO5?Crafting strong openings and deliberate endings (AO5), engaging the reader from the first line and shaping a controlled, deliberate ending across both the creative task and the transactional tasks.8 min answer →
- How do you paragraph a piece and link it with cohesive devices so it reads as a connected, organised whole?Paragraphing accurately and linking ideas with cohesive devices (AO5), giving each paragraph one clear job, signalling shifts with discourse markers, and using cohesion within and between paragraphs across both components' writing tasks.8 min answer →
- How do you plan and structure a piece of writing so it is organised, controlled and complete within the exam time?Planning and structuring a piece of writing for clear organisation (AO5), the planning skill that underpins both the creative task on Component 1 and the transactional tasks on Component 2, shaping a controlled structure before writing.8 min answer →
- How do you proofread a piece under exam conditions to catch the errors that lower the AO6 mark?Proofreading writing for accuracy under timed conditions (AO6), reserving time to check spelling, punctuation and sentence boundaries on every writing task and correcting the common errors that lower the accuracy mark.8 min answer →
- How do you vary your sentences and punctuate them accurately for effect, securing the AO6 marks?Using a range of sentence structures and accurate punctuation for clarity, purpose and effect (AO6), varying sentence length and type deliberately and punctuating a range of forms correctly across both components' writing tasks.9 min answer →
- How do you choose ambitious, precise vocabulary and spell it accurately, balancing reach against control for AO6?Using a range of ambitious, precise vocabulary with accurate spelling (AO6), choosing words for clarity, purpose and effect, and balancing ambition against accuracy so that reach does not introduce errors.8 min answer →
Spoken Language endorsement
Module overview →- How do you prepare and deliver a formal individual presentation for the Spoken Language endorsement so it earns a high grade?Preparing and delivering a formal individual presentation for the Spoken Language endorsement (AO7), selecting and organising content and presenting it clearly and effectively to an audience using controlled delivery.9 min answer →
- How do you listen and respond to questions from the audience after your presentation, for AO8?Listening and responding to questions and feedback after the presentation (AO8), understanding what is asked, answering relevantly and developing the response, and handling unexpected questions with composure.9 min answer →
- How do you use spoken Standard English and a formal register effectively in your presentation and answers, for AO9?Using spoken Standard English effectively in the presentation and responses (AO9), choosing a formal register suited to the audience and occasion, and speaking with clear, accurate grammar and vocabulary.9 min answer →
Transactional and persuasive writing
Module overview →- How do you manage the two compulsory writing tasks on Component 2 Section B so both are planned, complete and accurate within the time?Managing the two compulsory transactional writing tasks on Component 2 Section B, dividing the time fairly, planning and completing both pieces, and protecting time to check accuracy (AO5 and AO6) on each.9 min answer →
- How do you read a writing task for its form, purpose and audience, and shape every choice to match them?Matching form, purpose and audience in a transactional task (AO5), reading the task to identify the form, the purpose and the audience, and adapting tone, style, register and conventions to all three.9 min answer →
- How do you use rhetorical devices to persuade in your own writing, deploying them for effect rather than decoration?Using rhetorical devices to persuade in transactional writing (AO5), deploying methods such as direct address, rhetorical questions, the rule of three, emotive language and anecdote deliberately and sparingly for effect on the reader.9 min answer →
- How do you write a transactional or persuasive piece for Component 2 Section B that meets its form, purpose and audience and scores on AO5 and AO6?Writing a transactional or persuasive piece (letter, article, speech, report or review) for Component 2 Section B, communicating clearly for a real purpose and audience (AO5) with controlled, accurate and varied expression (AO6).10 min answer →