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Component 2: 19th and 21st Century Non-Fiction Reading

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

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.
How to answer the AO2 language question on Eduqas GCSE English Language Component 2: selecting precise evidence from a non-fiction text, naming methods including rhetorical and persuasive devices with subject terminology, and explaining how the writer's choices persuade, inform or move the reader rather than just spotting features.
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.
How to answer the AO3 comparison question on Eduqas GCSE English Language Component 2: comparing the two writers' ideas, perspectives and attitudes and how these are conveyed, weaving the 19th and 21st century texts together by point of comparison rather than analysing each in turn, and reading the differences for what they reveal.
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.
How to evaluate non-fiction critically for AO4 on Eduqas GCSE English Language Component 2: forming a personal judgement about how effectively a writer persuades, informs or engages, weighing the writer's methods, and supporting the judgement with analysed textual evidence rather than describing the text.
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).
How to read the two unseen non-fiction texts in Section A of Eduqas GCSE English Language Component 2: one 19th-century and one 21st-century text, grasping each writer's purpose, viewpoint and audience, coping with older language, and reading actively across the AO1, AO2, AO3 and AO4 questions.
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.
How to answer the AO1 synthesis question on Eduqas GCSE English Language Component 2: selecting evidence from both the 19th and 21st century non-fiction texts and combining it to show what they tell you about a theme, weaving the two together rather than summarising each in turn.
9 min answer →