Acquire and apply a wide vocabulary, alongside a knowledge and…

The idea

This aim requires you to build a broad, precise vocabulary and use it purposefully in reading, writing and speech. As this is an untiered qualification, all students take the same exams and must demonstrate these skills across a full range of abilities. You need to know grammatical terminology and linguistic conventions to describe how language works and control your choices. For example, when analysing a charity appeal, identify the imperative verb 'donate' and explain how its command form positions the reader. When writing, select 'consequently' rather than 'so' to signal a formal logical link. Assessment is through your ability to select and apply language accurately, and to use terminology to explain effects, not merely label features.

What earns the marks

• Selects vocabulary that is precise, varied and matched to purpose, audience and form, avoiding vague or repeated word choices.
• Uses grammatical terminology accurately when identifying and explaining how sentences, clauses, phrases and words create meaning.
• Applies linguistic conventions such as punctuation, paragraphing, tense consistency and Standard English appropriately in writing.
• Adapts vocabulary and grammatical choices in spoken language to suit formal and informal contexts.
• Explains the effect of a writer's or speaker's language choices using terminology, rather than only naming features.
• Shows control of a range of sentence structures and word classes to achieve clarity, emphasis or cohesion.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Naming a feature without explaining its effect, such as writing 'the writer uses a metaphor' and stopping there.

  Put it right: Add what the metaphor suggests and how it shapes the reader's response.

• Using complicated vocabulary inaccurately or out of register, such as inserting 'ubiquitous' where 'common' is meant.

  Put it right: Check meaning and formality before using a word.

• Confusing grammatical terms, for example calling a clause a phrase.

  Put it right: Learn that a clause contains a subject and a verb, while a phrase does not.

• Ignoring conventions such as inconsistent tense or missing punctuation.

  Put it right: Proofread for agreement, tense and sentence boundaries.

Exam tips

• Build a personal vocabulary bank organised by topic and register, and practise dropping precise words into sentences rather than listing them.
• When analysing language, use a three-step habit: identify the choice, name the terminology accurately, then explain the effect on the reader or listener.
• Remember that as an untiered exam, the texts and tasks will range in difficulty, so applying precise grammatical terminology is key to accessing higher marks.