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Section A Reading non-fiction and literary non-fiction
Paper 2 Section A develops understanding of writers' ideas and perspectives in non-fiction and literary non-fiction from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries.
24
Objectives
120
Flashcards
120
Questions
90 min
Study time
AQAGCSEEnglish LanguagePaper 2 Writers' Viewpoints and Perspectives
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Syllabus checklist
What you need to know
24 objective pages available
Understanding non-fiction sources6 objectives
- AO1: identify explicit information and ideas in a non-fiction source.
- Select relevant evidence from non-fiction and literary non-fiction texts.
- Infer attitudes, feelings and viewpoints from details in a source.
- Explain how contextual clues help shape understanding of a writer's perspective.
- Distinguish between factual information and a writer's opinion or viewpoint.
- Use textual references accurately when answering questions on non-fiction.
Summarising differences and similarities6 objectives
- AO1: summarise key ideas from two linked sources accurately.
- Identify similarities between writers' ideas, attitudes or experiences.
- Identify differences between writers' ideas, attitudes or experiences.
- Synthesis information from both sources without retelling each source separately.
- Support comparisons with concise evidence from both texts.
- Explain how inference can strengthen a comparative summary.
Analysing language in non-fiction6 objectives
- AO2: identify language choices that reveal a writer's viewpoint or attitude.
- Analyse how word choices, rhetorical devices and imagery influence the reader.
- Explain how tone is created through vocabulary, sentence forms and emphasis.
- Link language analysis to purpose, audience and context.
- Analyse how a writer positions the reader to respond to an issue or theme.
- Avoid listing techniques without explaining their effect in the source.
Comparing writers' methods and perspectives6 objectives
- AO3: compare writers' viewpoints and perspectives across two non-fiction sources.
- Compare how methods such as language, structure and tone shape meaning.
- Select evidence from both sources to support a comparative response.
- Explain similarities and differences in how writers present an issue or theme.
- Use comparative connectives and precise references to develop a balanced answer.
- Avoid treating each source separately when the task requires comparison.
Key terms
non-fiction focusnon-fiction exam useviewpoint focusviewpoint exam useperspective focusperspective exam usesummarise focussummarise exam usesimilarities focussimilarities exam usedifference focusdifference exam use
Exam tips
- : identify explicit information: use the exact skill: Use the task wording for "AO1: identify explicit information and ideas in a non-fiction source." before writing. For reading, select brief evidence, make an inference, identify language methods such as word choice or imagery, identify structural methods such as focus, opening, ending, shift, pace or sequence, and explain the effect on the reader. For writing, plan audience, purpose, tone, form, register, viewpoint, argument and paragraph structure. For creative writing, use imagery, viewpoint, structure, vocabulary, sentence control, atmosphere, character and setting. Check grammar and punctuation separately by proofreading sentence accuracy, spelling, vocabulary, commas and full stops.
- Select relevant evidence from: use the exact skill: Use the task wording for "Select relevant evidence from non-fiction and literary non-fiction texts." before writing. For reading, select brief evidence, make an inference, identify language methods such as word choice or imagery, identify structural methods such as focus, opening, ending, shift, pace or sequence, and explain the effect on the reader. For writing, plan audience, purpose, tone, form, register, viewpoint, argument and paragraph structure. For creative writing, use imagery, viewpoint, structure, vocabulary, sentence control, atmosphere, character and setting. Check grammar and punctuation separately by proofreading sentence accuracy, spelling, vocabulary, commas and full stops.
Common mistakes
- non-fiction: summary instead of analysis: Correct this by selecting a brief detail, explaining its effect, and linking the point back to "AO1: identify explicit information and ideas in a non-fiction source."
- non-fiction: summary instead of analysis: Correct this by selecting a brief detail, explaining its effect, and linking the point back to "Select relevant evidence from non-fiction and literary non-fiction texts."
Practice preview
- For Section A Reading non-fiction and literary non-fiction, which option best applies inference from evidence to this objective: AO1: identify explicit information and ideas in a non-fiction source.
- For Section A Reading non-fiction and literary non-fiction, which option best applies language method and reader effect to this objective: AO1: identify explicit information and ideas in a non-fiction source.
- For Section A Reading non-fiction and literary non-fiction, which option best applies structural development to this objective: AO1: identify explicit information and ideas in a non-fiction source.
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