Study Notes
Overview
Welcome to your guide on adapting language for different situations. In the OCR GCSE English Language exam, this isn't just a minor topic; it's the core skill that separates a good response from a great one. Examiners are looking for candidates who can demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of how language choices create specific effects on a reader. This involves both your ability to analyse unseen texts and your skill in crafting your own writing for a designated genre, audience, and purpose (GAP). Mastering this will give you a significant advantage across both Paper 1 and Paper 2.
Reading Skills
Identifying Information & Ideas
In the reading sections, you'll be presented with unseen 20th and 21st-century texts. Your first task is to understand what the text is about, both explicitly (what is directly stated) and implicitly (what is suggested or hinted at). For example, a writer might explicitly state, "The man was angry," or they might imply it through language choices: "His knuckles whitened as he gripped the table, his jaw set like stone." Credit is given for identifying these subtle clues.
Analysing Language
This is where you move beyond what the text says to how it says it. You need to identify specific language features and, crucially, analyse their effect on the reader. Simply spotting a metaphor is not enough; you must explain why the writer chose that specific metaphor and what it makes the reader think, feel, or imagine. Use the PEAL framework to structure your analysis.
Key Language Features to Identify
| Feature | Definition | Effect on Reader | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metaphor | A figure of speech where a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable. | Creates a powerful, often complex image in the reader's mind, adding layers of meaning. | "The classroom was a zoo." |
| Simile | A figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind, used to make a description more emphatic or vivid (e.g., as brave as a lion). | Makes a description more vivid and relatable by linking it to a familiar concept. | "He was as quiet as a mouse." |
| Pathetic Fallacy | The attribution of human feelings and responses to inanimate things or animals, especially in art and literature. Often used with weather. | Creates a specific mood or atmosphere that reflects the emotional state of a character or the tone of the scene. | "The miserable rain fell, mirroring his despair." |
| Personification | The attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something non-human. | Brings an inanimate object to life, allowing the reader to connect with it on an emotional level. | "The wind whispered through the trees." |
| Alliteration | The occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words. | Can create a specific sound effect (e.g., harsh or soft), draw attention to key words, and make a phrase more memorable. | "The slippery snake slithered silently." |
| Sibilance | A figure of speech in which a hissing sound is created within a group of words through the repetition of "s" sounds. | Often creates a sinister, menacing, or soothing effect, depending on the context. | "The sea hissed and spat on the shore." |
| Juxtaposition | The fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect. | Highlights the differences between two things, often to create a sense of conflict, irony, or drama. | "The pristine new houses overlooked the sprawling, polluted slums." |
| Emotive Language | Words and phrases deliberately chosen to make the reader feel a particular emotion. | Aims to manipulate the reader's emotional response to persuade them or make them empathise with a character. | "The defenceless puppy was abandoned in the cold." |
Analysing Structure
Structure refers to how a text is organised and put together. Examiners want to see that you can comment on the writer's structural choices and their impact on the overall meaning and effect. Consider:
- Openings: How does the writer hook the reader in?
- Shifts in Focus: Where does the narrative perspective or topic change, and why?
- Sentence Length Variation: How are long, complex sentences contrasted with short, simple ones to control pace and tension?
- Paragraph Structure: How are paragraphs used to group ideas or signal a change in time or place?
- Cyclical Structure: Does the text end where it began? If so, what has changed?
- Flashback/Foreshadowing: How does the writer manipulate time to build suspense or provide context?
Evaluating Critically
For higher marks, you need to evaluate how successfully the writer has used language and structure to achieve their purpose. This means forming a judgement and supporting it with evidence. Use phrases like, "The writer is highly effective in creating a sense of tension here..." or "To some extent, the writer's argument is convincing, but it is weakened by...". This shows you are an engaged and critical reader.
Comparing Writers' Viewpoints
In some questions, you will need to compare two texts. The key here is to focus on the writers' different perspectives and methods. Don't just list what each writer does. Directly compare them point-by-point. For example: "Whereas Writer A uses statistics to present a logical, factual argument, Writer B relies on emotive language to appeal to the reader's conscience."
Writing Skills
Creative Writing
For narrative and descriptive tasks, the goal is to create a vivid and engaging world for your reader. The mantra is Show, Don't Tell. Instead of telling the reader a character is nervous, show them by describing their "trembling hands and a heart hammering against their ribs."
- Sensory Description: Appeal to all five senses – sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste.
- Varied Sentence Structures: Mix simple, compound, and complex sentences to create rhythm and pace.
- Engaging Openings: Start with action, dialogue, or a mystery to hook the reader.
- Satisfying Endings: Provide a sense of resolution, even if it's ambiguous.
- One-Scene Rule: For short descriptive tasks, focus on a single moment in time. Don't try to tell a whole story.
Transactional/Non-Fiction Writing
This is where the GAP framework is your best friend. Before you write, you MUST identify your Genre, Audience, and Purpose. This will determine your register and tone.
- Letters: Formal (Dear Sir/Madam, Yours faithfully) vs. Informal (Hi Tom, Best wishes).
- Articles: A clear headline, a strapline, and an engaging, journalistic tone.
- Speeches: Use rhetorical devices, direct address ("you"), and a clear sign-off.
- Leaflets: Use subheadings, bullet points, and an informative, accessible tone.
To make your writing persuasive, use the AFOREST mnemonic.
Technical Accuracy (SPaG)
Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar (SPaG) are worth a significant number of marks (AO6). Poor accuracy can undermine an otherwise brilliant piece of writing. Aim to use ambitious punctuation correctly:
- Semicolons (;): To link two closely related independent clauses.
- Colons (:): To introduce a list, an explanation, or a quotation.
- Dashes (-): To add dramatic emphasis or extra information.
- Parenthetical Commas (, ,): To embed a subordinate clause within a sentence.