AQA GCSE English Language: Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives

AQA GCSE English Language: Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives - Paper 2, Section A

Understanding the Basics

This section of your exam focuses on analyzing non-fiction texts. You'll be presented with two texts:

• One non-fiction text: This could be a newspaper article, blog post, leaflet, or any other piece of factual writing.
• One literary non-fiction text: This could be a diary entry, travel writing, autobiography, or any other text that uses literary devices to explore real-life experiences.

Your Goal

The key to success in this section is understanding the writer's viewpoint and how they present their perspective. This means analyzing the content, language, and structure of the text to figure out:

• What is the writer's overall message?
• What are they trying to achieve with this text?
• What techniques do they use to persuade the reader?

Question Types

You'll encounter a range of questions, each demanding a different level of analysis:

• 4-mark question: Focuses on a specific feature of the text (e.g., a word choice, a sentence structure). Explain how this feature contributes to the writer's overall message.
• 8-mark question: Requires you to compare two features of the text (e.g., tone, structure, language). Explain how these features work together to present the writer's viewpoint.
• 12-mark question: Focuses on a specific aspect of the writer's perspective. Analyze the text to explain how the writer's use of language and structure helps them achieve their purpose.
• 16-mark extended question: This question asks you to explore the writer's overall viewpoint and how they persuade the reader. You'll need to analyze a range of features, including language, structure, and content, to support your answer.

Strategies for Success

1. Read the text carefully. Underline key words, phrases, and sentences that stand out to you.
2. Identify the writer's viewpoint. What is their opinion or argument? What is their purpose in writing this text?
3. Analyze the text's features. Look for:
   • Language devices: Word choice, imagery, similes, metaphors, etc.
   • Structure: Paragraphing, sentence length, repetition, etc.
   • Content: Facts, opinions, anecdotes, personal experiences, etc.
4. Link your analysis to the writer's viewpoint. How do the features of the text help the writer to present their perspective and achieve their purpose?
5. Use clear and concise language. Explain your ideas clearly and provide evidence from the text to support your claims.

Example Analysis

Consider the following excerpt from a newspaper article:

"The government's decision to raise taxes is a slap in the face to hard-working families."

Analysis:

• Viewpoint: The writer expresses a negative opinion about the tax increase.
• Language: The phrase "slap in the face" is a powerful metaphor that conveys anger and frustration.
• Structure: The short, declarative sentence emphasizes the writer's strong feelings.

Conclusion:

This analysis shows how the writer uses language and structure to create a powerful and emotive message. They are trying to persuade readers to share their negative view of the government's decision.

Practice Makes Perfect

The best way to master this section is to practice. Find a variety of non-fiction and literary non-fiction texts and practice analyzing them. Use the strategies outlined above to identify the writer's viewpoint and the techniques they use to persuade their readers. With enough practice, you'll be well-prepared to tackle this section of the exam!