‘How to’: Edexcel English Language GCSE Paper 2 Question 7 Walk through

For an understandable reason, question 7 can sometimes be a bit of a pain. Let me help you with that. Here is a quick ‘how to’. Remember, that this structure will work for almost every question 7 - it changes, but the structures rarely do.

Question 7A:

1.     Highlight the key words of the question – ensure that you understand EXACTLY what the question is asking you to do

2.     Ensure that you are using at least 4/6 quotes throughout your whole answer

3.     You want three to four comparative small answers

4.     You are not analysing the language or structure of the quotes but rather, expanding briefly on their significance to the question (this is where your key words come in)

5.     At the end of the comparative para, make sure that you link back to the question’s key words

Question 7B:

·      Highlight the key words of the question, make sure that you absolutely understand what the question is asking you

·      14 marks = max 20 mins spent on it

·      Have 3 mid size comparative points

o   Three paragraphs using a topic sentence that immediately compares each text to each other and also immediately answers the question

·      For each broad point, use 4 quotes (2 for each text) – if you run out of time, just plan for two big paragraphs rather than three.

·      When comparing, ensure that you are considering the way that the writers shaped and created meaning in those quotes and how you might understand them

o   How are those ideas (answer the question and link to your key point that you made in your topic sentence) linked

§  What devices are used

§  Why are they used

§  What effect do they create

·      After all of this, compare to the other text