Language in action — AQA A-Level English Language Revision

    The Language Investigation is a 2,000-word independent research project (excluding data) that allows students to explore an area of individual interest in

    Topic Synopsis

    The Language Investigation is a 2,000-word independent research project (excluding data) that allows students to explore an area of individual interest in language use. Students must identify a research topic, collect their own data (spoken, written, or multimodal), apply appropriate linguistic methodologies, and evaluate their findings in relation to relevant concepts and issues.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

    Examiner Marking Points

    Language in action

    AQA
    A-Level

    The Language Investigation is a 2,000-word independent research project (excluding data) that allows students to explore an area of individual interest in language use. Students must identify a research topic, collect their own data (spoken, written, or multimodal), apply appropriate linguistic methodologies, and evaluate their findings in relation to relevant concepts and issues.

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    Objectives
    19
    Exam Tips
    20
    Pitfalls
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    Key Terms
    26
    Mark Points

    Subtopics in this area

    Language Investigation
    Original writing
    Methods of language analysis

    Topic Overview

    Language in action is the non-exam assessment (NEA) component of AQA A-Level English Language, worth 20% of the total A-level. It requires you to produce a piece of original writing (e.g., a magazine article, a speech, a blog, or a short story) and a reflective commentary analysing your own language choices. This component bridges theory and practice, allowing you to apply linguistic concepts such as pragmatics, discourse structure, and register to a real-world text you have created yourself.

    The NEA is your chance to demonstrate creativity and analytical skill simultaneously. You must select a genre and audience, then craft a text that meets the conventions of that genre while incorporating specific language features. The commentary (750–1000 words) should explain why you made particular choices, linking them to linguistic frameworks (e.g., lexis, grammar, phonology) and theories (e.g., Grice's maxims, Labov's narrative categories). This task is crucial because it shows examiners you can move from being a consumer of language to a producer, and that you understand the effects of your choices on a reader.

    Language in action fits into the wider A-Level by consolidating knowledge from all other topics: language and power, language and gender, child language acquisition, and language change. For example, if you write a persuasive speech, you might draw on theories of power (e.g., Fairclough) or use rhetorical devices studied in the language and power topic. The NEA also develops transferable skills in planning, drafting, and self-reflection, which are valuable for university and beyond.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →Genre conventions: Every text type (e.g., tabloid article, political speech, personal blog) has expected features of structure, tone, and content. You must identify and replicate these in your original writing.
    • →Register and audience: The level of formality, choice of lexis, and sentence complexity must be appropriate for your target audience (e.g., teenagers, professionals, children).
    • →Linguistic frameworks: Use frameworks such as lexis (word choice), grammar (sentence types, clause structures), phonology (sound patterns like alliteration), and pragmatics (implied meaning) to analyse your own writing in the commentary.
    • →Rhetorical devices: Techniques like rhetorical questions, repetition, metaphor, and tricolon are essential for persuasive or engaging texts. You must explain their intended effect.
    • →Reflective commentary structure: The commentary should follow a clear structure: introduction (context and purpose), analysis of language choices (organised by framework or effect), and conclusion (evaluation of success).

    What You Need to Demonstrate

    Key skills and knowledge for this topic

    • Application of linguistic methods and terminology to identify patterns and complexities
    • Selection and application of appropriate methodology for data collection and analysis
    • Depth of description of language features and establishment of patterns of use
    • Structural and linguistic control of the report
    • Evaluation of language use and representations within wider social and cultural contexts
    • Critical consideration of relevant concepts, theories, and issues
    • Formulation of well-focused linguistic aims
    • Consideration of ethical issues and validity of methodology

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Application of linguistic methods and terminology to identify patterns and complexities
    • Selection and application of appropriate methodology for data collection and analysis
    • Depth of description of language features and establishment of patterns of use
    • Structural and linguistic control of the report
    • Evaluation of language use and representations within wider social and cultural contexts
    • Critical consideration of relevant concepts, theories, and issues
    • Formulation of well-focused linguistic aims
    • Consideration of ethical issues and validity of methodology
    • Analysis of contextual influences on the data
    • Creative and innovative use of form and register
    • Accurate writing and coherent/cohesive structure
    • Effective engagement with challenging audiences
    • Skilful manipulation of register at all levels
    • Evaluation of connections across texts (original writing and style model)
    • Justification of writing choices by reference to the style model
    • Demonstration of genre as a dynamic process
    • Integrated application of language analysis levels
    • Reflective evaluation of the writing process and effectiveness of the final piece
    • Application of linguistic methods and terminology identifying patterns and complexities
    • Selection and application of appropriate methods allowing valid conclusions to be drawn
    • Depth of description of language features
    • Evaluation of language and representations according to context
    • Analysis of how language choices create meanings and representations
    • Analysis of how aspects of context work together to affect language use
    • Connection of theories, ideas and research with data
    • Consideration of ethical issues and validity of methodology

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡Ensure the investigation has a specific, manageable focus rather than a broad topic
    • 💡Consult with the supervising teacher to ensure the chosen topic yields interesting linguistic questions
    • 💡Clearly define the research aims in the introduction
    • 💡Provide an evaluative account of the methodology used to collect and organize data
    • 💡Ensure the analysis section links findings back to the initial aims and relevant linguistic concepts
    • 💡Include clean copies of collected data and evidence for quantitative approaches in the appendices
    • 💡Reference all sources (paper and web-based) correctly
    • 💡Ensure the style model is selected in consultation with the supervising teacher.
    • 💡The commentary must explicitly evaluate the writing process and the effectiveness of the final piece.
    • 💡Use the commentary to justify writing choices by referencing the style model's impact on language choices.
    • 💡Ensure the commentary demonstrates an understanding of genre as a dynamic process.
    • 💡Apply different levels of language analysis (phonetics, graphology, lexis, grammar, pragmatics, discourse) in an integrated way.
    • 💡Maintain a clear line of thought and coherent structure in both the original writing and the commentary.
    • 💡Ensure the investigation has a specific, focused research question
    • 💡Provide an evaluative account of how data was collected and organised in the methodology section
    • 💡Integrate relevant concepts and issues surrounding the topic area into the analysis
    • 💡Ensure the commentary evaluates the style model, the writing process and the effectiveness of the final piece of writing
    • 💡Use clear sections with an introduction and conclusion
    • 💡Reference all sources (paper and web-based) correctly
    • 💡Tip 1: Choose a genre you are comfortable with and have studied examples of. If you choose a genre you rarely read, you may miss key conventions. For example, if you write a speech, watch famous speeches and note their structure, use of repetition, and direct address.
    • 💡Tip 2: In the commentary, use specific linguistic terminology accurately. Instead of saying 'I used fancy words', say 'I employed Latinate lexis to create a formal register, appropriate for an academic audience.' Also, reference at least two linguistic theories (e.g., Grice's maxims, Labov's narrative categories) to show depth.
    • 💡Tip 3: Ensure your original writing is exactly the right length (750–1000 words for the commentary, and the original piece should be around 500–800 words depending on genre). Examiners will stop reading if you exceed the word limit, so be concise and edit ruthlessly.

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Discussing issues anecdotally without specialist linguistic knowledge
    • Using inappropriate or unsuited methodology
    • Collecting data without sufficient discussion or justification
    • Paraphrasing or describing content rather than analysing language
    • Misunderstanding the text's content, meaning, or context
    • Quoting or identifying features of language without linguistic description
    • Presenting material with limited organization or list-like structures
    • Paraphrasing or summarising content without reference to context
    • Discussing relevant aspects of only one text (original writing or style model) in the commentary
    • Inconsistent or inaccurate use of linguistic terminology
    • Lack of explicit connections between the original writing and the style model
    • Intrusive errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar
    • List-like structure in the commentary
    • Failure to demonstrate awareness of genre
    • Discussing issues anecdotally without specialist linguistic knowledge
    • Using inappropriate methodology
    • Collecting data without discussion
    • Paraphrasing or describing content of texts without linguistic analysis
    • Misunderstanding text content, meaning or context
    • Quoting or identifying features of language without linguistic description
    • Misconception: The original writing must be 'creative' like a story or poem. Correction: You can choose any genre, including non-fiction like a newspaper article, a speech, or a blog. The key is to demonstrate control over language, not just creativity.
    • Misconception: The commentary is just a description of what you did. Correction: The commentary must be analytical, explaining why you made choices and linking them to linguistic theories. Avoid simply saying 'I used a metaphor' – instead, say 'I used a metaphor to create a vivid image, which engages the reader and reinforces my argument, drawing on Lakoff and Johnson's conceptual metaphor theory.'
    • Misconception: You can write the original piece without planning the commentary. Correction: You should plan both together. Every language choice in your original writing should be intentional and justifiable in the commentary. Drafting and redrafting is essential to ensure your choices are deliberate.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •Understanding of language frameworks: lexis, semantics, grammar, phonology, graphology, and pragmatics. You should be able to identify and analyse these in any text.
    • •Familiarity with key linguistic theories: Grice's cooperative principle, Labov's narrative structure, Fairclough's critical discourse analysis, and Lakoff and Johnson's conceptual metaphor theory.
    • •Experience with text analysis: You should have practised analysing unseen texts for Paper 1 and Paper 2, as the commentary requires similar analytical skills.

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

    Investigate
    Analyse
    Evaluate
    Explore
    Describe
    Identify
    Explain
    Produce
    Study
    Select
    Consider
    Justify
    Apply

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    Practice questions tailored to this topic

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