For Question 3, you are assessed on AO2 only:
AO2
Explain, comment on and analyse how writers use language and structure to achieve effects and influence readers, using relevant subject terminology to support their views
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If you want to achieve a Grade 9, you should be aiming for a Level 4 response. Here is the AQA mark scheme for each level in Question 3:
Level |
Skills Descriptors |
Level 4
Perceptive, detailed analysis
10-12 marks
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Shows perceptive and detailed understanding of language:
- Analyses the effects of the writer’s choices of language
- Selects a range of judicious textual detail
- Makes sophisticated and accurate use of subject terminology
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Level 3
Clear, relevant explanation
7-9 marks
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Shows clear understanding of language:
- Explains clearly the effects of the writer’s choices of language
- Selects a range of relevant textual detail
- Makes clear and accurate use of subject terminology
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Level 2
Some understanding and comment
4-6 marks
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Shows some understanding of language:
- Attempts to comment on the effect of language
- Selects some appropriate textual detail
- Makes some use of subject terminology, mainly appropriately
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Level 1
Simple, limited comment
1-3 marks
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Shows simple awareness of language:
- Offers simple comment on the effect of language
- Selects simple reference(s) or textual detail(s)
- Makes simple use of subject terminology, mainly appropriately
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The wording of the mark scheme shows a growing hierarchy of skills, with analysis being at the top. To analyse the language of the text effectively, you should be asking three important questions:
- WHAT is the overall effect of the writer’s language choices in terms of the question?
- HOW does the writer achieve this, using accurate subject terminology?
- WHY does that feature of the language create the effect you have identified?
Here is a simplified version of the mark scheme:
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
Level 4 |
Shows simple understanding of language features |
Shows some understanding of language features |
Shows clear understanding of language features |
Shows detailed and perceptive understanding of language features |