How do I revise E2E stub topic for AQA A-Level?

For top marks, always anchor your analysis in specific linguistic examples rather than generalisations.

What exam tips are there for E2E stub topic? (2)

Use comparative phrases to weigh different perspectives (e.g., 'While prescriptivists argue... descriptivists counter that...').

What exam tips are there for E2E stub topic? (3)

Refer to named authorities to demonstrate contextual knowledge.

What mistakes should I avoid in E2E stub topic?

Students often blur descriptive and prescriptive frameworks, failing to maintain an objective analytical stance.

What are common errors in E2E stub topic exams? (2)

Over-reliance on personal opinion without evidence, or dismissing standardised forms without considering social functions.

E2E stub topic

AQA

A-Level

This subtopic explores prescriptive and descriptive attitudes towards language evolution, examining how social, cultural, and technological factors influence perceptions of 'correctness'. Students will analyse historical and contemporary debates around standardisation, purism, and linguistic innovation, applying critical frameworks to evaluate the legitimacy of these attitudes.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Award credit for demonstrating a clear distinction between descriptive and prescriptive approaches.
Award credit for using appropriate terminology (e.g., 'standardisation', 'prestige', 'code-switching').
Award credit for referencing relevant theorists (e.g., Aitchison, Crystal).
Award credit for synthesising evidence from a range of sources to support arguments.
Award credit for critically evaluating rather than merely describing attitudes.

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Award credit for demonstrating a clear distinction between descriptive and prescriptive approaches.
Award credit for using appropriate terminology (e.g., 'standardisation', 'prestige', 'code-switching').
Award credit for referencing relevant theorists (e.g., Aitchison, Crystal).
Award credit for synthesising evidence from a range of sources to support arguments.
Award credit for critically evaluating rather than merely describing attitudes.

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡For top marks, always anchor your analysis in specific linguistic examples rather than generalisations.
💡Use comparative phrases to weigh different perspectives (e.g., 'While prescriptivists argue... descriptivists counter that...').
💡Refer to named authorities to demonstrate contextual knowledge.

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Students often blur descriptive and prescriptive frameworks, failing to maintain an objective analytical stance.
Over-reliance on personal opinion without evidence, or dismissing standardised forms without considering social functions.
Confusing 'standard English' with 'correct English'.

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

Prescriptivism vs descriptivism

Standard English and prestige

Language decay myth

Codification and authority

Technological influence on language change

Public discourse on correctness

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Practice questions tailored to this topic

E2E stub topic

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Key Terminology

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