Paper 2 Question 5: Format, Audience and Purpose (AQA GCSE English Language)

The writing task in Paper 2 invites you to write a piece of non-fiction in response to a statement. The format you should write in will be given to you in the task. You could be asked to write an article, letter, speech, guide or blog. However, whichever format you are given, the purpose of your writing will be to argue, persuade or explain to your audience your point of view.

This section will therefore cover the following sub-topics (click to go straight to that sub-topic):

• Overview of Paper 2 Question 5
• How to approach Paper 2 Question 5
• Format
• Audience
• Purpose
• Example tasks
• Steps to success for Question 5
• Exam tips for Question 5

Question 5 is the writing question. It asks you to apply what you know about non-fiction writing, such as the texts you read in Section A, and use these same techniques in your own writing.

AO5 rewards you for your ideas, as well as the style and the fluency of your writing. As Question 5 is worth 50% of the paper, it is worth making sure you set aside enough time to answer it well. The Assessment Objectives for Question 5 are AO5 and AO6:

In Question 5, you will be set a task that asks you to write on a topic related to the texts in Section A. It asks you to consider structure and language and adapt these relevant to the form, audience and purpose given to you in the task.

It is important to remember that writers plan their texts deliberately to make the reader think and feel certain things. Question 5 asks you to think about how you can effectively structure your writing and adapt your language and tone to reach your audience and achieve your purpose. 

When you reach Question 5, you will already have read two sources which relate to the topic in your task. You can use these ideas to inform your answer. You should spend some time thinking about the task, and making sure you know who you are writing to (your audience), what you want to achieve (the purpose) and how the writing should look (its form).  

In your answer you must:

• Adopt a convincing tone of voice
• Use language techniques relevant to the purpose and style
• Ensure you use the correct form of writing

Question 5 tests your ability to create a text which is constructed in an appropriate manner.

This question assesses your skill in crafting a convincing non-fiction text. The question will be worded according to a specific task, for example:

You will be given a statement as the basis of the task. However, you are not required to cover every thread in the statement; selecting one or two threads can lead to a clearer argument.

In the above example, there are three threads: eating meat, keeping pets and visiting zoos. You can select which of these you feel the most strongly about and use these as the basis for your arguments. You do not have to cover all three.

The first thing you should do is to read the task carefully and identify the format, audience and purpose of the task. This is sometimes referred to as a GAP analysis or the “3 Ws”:

We will now explore format, audience and purpose further in the following sub-sections:

• This task will ask you to write in a particular format which will determine the layout, structure and context of the writing (where it is used in real life)
• The task will provide you with a statement which directs the topic and task:
  • It is best to consider the most effective argument you can make, on which you have plenty to say
  • This does not have to reflect your actual opinion
• You should consider where your writing would appear in a real-life context:
  • A magazine, for example, tends to be more informal than a news article
  • A letter tends to be more formal and, in the exam, written to someone you do not know
• The mark scheme rewards answers which consider how the conventions of form can be used to convey ideas:
  • A letter is more personal than a news article, which targets a large audience
  • A speech is more interactive than a leaflet and will actively attempt to engage and persuade the audience
• You may be asked to write in the form of a: 
  • Letter
  • Article
  • Leaflet
  • Speech
  • Guide
  • Blog
  • Autobiographical account (e.g., a review or diary entry)
• Whichever form you are writing in, there are likely to be some elements which you have to make up
• However, your writing still needs to be realistic and believable for the most convincing arguments

Here, we will consider the layout and structure of the three most common formats given to you in this part of the exam. This is what the examiner is looking for in your answer, as awareness of the correct form and adapting your style appropriately to the task is required to reach the higher marks:

• As this task assesses the ability to use sophisticated language, the question will ask you to write formally using Standard English
• It is important, however, to consider your audience in terms of your ideas, language and overall tone
• You are being assessed on your ability to adapt your language and tone to suit your intended audience
• For example:
• A parent will have different concerns and values to a student
• A local MP would need convincing using facts and evidence to support your arguments
• Readers of a local newspaper would be more persuaded by emotive language
• A letter to a headteacher or someone in authority requires formal, respectful language which is not aggressive or inappropriate
• Teenagers would need something to relate to, so personal anecdotes would work well
• Addressing your audience or reader specifically is a convincing technique to persuade people to agree with your point of view, or at least to acknowledge its validity
• You can use inclusive language, such as “we” and “us”
• You can also make your audience feel involved by using terms such as “fellow students” or “parents”
• The judicious use of colloquial language is fine, depending on the topic, but avoid using slang or terms not common to Standard English

Below are some examples of language that has been adapted to suit a target audience:

The question asks you to write for a specific purpose. This means you are required to deliberately use language for impact to achieve that purpose. This also means you will be rewarded for the ability to select relevant language techniques appropriate to this purpose. The question asks you to organise your writing in a way that conveys your opinions and ideas convincingly. It will generally be necessary to use persuasive devices in order to achieve the purpose of the task.

Generally, the purpose of the task will be one of the following:

• Explain your point of view
• Argue your point of view or your opinion
• Persuade

Below you will find some examples of Paper 2 Question 5 tasks. As you read each one, consider what you are being asked to write, who you are writing for and why you are writing:

1. Read the task carefully:
• Identify what you are writing, who you are writing for and why you are writing
• Highlight these things
2. Write down one sentence that sums up your opinion about the topic
3. Spend five minutes planning your writing:
• Use a mind-map or brief bullet points to map out your arguments
4. Make your point of view clear in your introduction. State what you are writing about, why you are writing and what your point of view is
5. Start each paragraph with an appropriate connective and topic sentence
6. Develop each paragraph in detail:
• Make your point
• Explain it
• Develop it - use anecdotes, statistics, specific examples, consequences, imperatives and any other relevant persuasive techniques
• It is the development of your point that gets you the marks
• Make sure you have developed your point thoroughly before moving on to your next point (which should be a different point or argument)
7. Try to leave five minutes at the end to re-read your writing carefully, correcting any obvious mistakes you have made

• Avoid repeating the same points, ideas or arguments across multiple paragraphs:
• Each paragraph should contain a different idea or point
• This does not mean you cannot repeat words for effect in your introduction, conclusion or in a single paragraph 
• Avoid getting distracted by your own opinion or feelings about the subject:
• It is best to avoid a rant or an overly emotional response
• Your tone should not be irate and aggrieved
• Do not forget to combine facts and opinions throughout to avoid a biased, subjective response:
• A convincing piece of writing offers a balance of opinion and fact
• Remember to use the correct features of the form you are asked to write in:
• It is easy to forget to go back and add a heading if you decided to leave it until after your writing
• Many students forget to sign their letter or use the correct sign off, and this makes the form of your letter less convincing 
• Remember, letters, articles and speeches vary in their characteristics
• You are not required to cover every thread in the given statement in your response - selecting one or two threads can lead to a clearer argument
• The highest marks are awarded for students who use complex and sophisticated vocabulary