Non-examination Assessment – Assignment 2: Commentary

    EDEXCEL
    A-Level

    This component introduces students to the ways in which language varies depending on the contexts of production and reception. It covers how language choices create personal identities and how language varies over time from c1550 to the present day. Students apply key language frameworks and levels to written, spoken, and multimodal data.

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    Objectives
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    Exam Tips
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    Pitfalls
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    Key Terms
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    Mark Points

    Quick Revision Summary (Key Takeaway)

    Non-examination Assessment – Assignment 2: Commentary is a 750–1000 word analytical reflection on a piece of original writing, worth 24 marks in Edexcel A-Level English Language. It requires students to evaluate their own linguistic choices, linking them to theories, audiences, and purposes, while demonstrating understanding of language frameworks and concepts.

    Topic Overview

    The Non-examination Assessment (NEA) is a compulsory component of the Edexcel A-Level English Language course, contributing 20% of the total qualification. It consists of two assignments: a piece of original writing (Assignment 1) and a commentary (Assignment 2). The commentary is a reflective analysis of the choices made in the original writing, requiring students to apply linguistic frameworks and theories to their own work. This task assesses your ability to analyse language critically, not just your creative skills.

    The commentary is worth 24 marks and is marked against four assessment objectives: AO1 (apply appropriate terminology and methods), AO2 (analyse language in context), AO3 (evaluate the effectiveness of your choices), and AO4 (explore connections between texts and wider contexts). To succeed, you must demonstrate a deep understanding of how language works, using concepts such as audience, purpose, genre, and mode. You must also show awareness of linguistic research and theories, such as Grice's maxims or Halliday's functions of language.

    This task is unique because it makes you both a writer and a critic. It encourages you to think metacognitively about your own language production, which is a valuable skill for university study and beyond. By writing the commentary, you develop the ability to justify your decisions and reflect on your strengths and weaknesses as a communicator. This self-evaluation is a key skill in many professional fields, from journalism to marketing.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →Language frameworks: lexis, semantics, grammar, syntax, phonology, graphology, pragmatics, and discourse – use these to systematically analyse your own writing.
    • →Audience and purpose: every choice you make should be justified in terms of who the text is for and what it aims to achieve.
    • →Mode and genre: consider whether your text is spoken or written, and how it conforms to or subverts genre conventions.
    • →Theories and concepts: apply relevant linguistic theories, such as Grice's cooperative principle, politeness theory, or Halliday's systemic functional grammar, to explain your choices.
    • →Critical evaluation: assess the strengths and weaknesses of your writing, and suggest improvements – this is essential for AO3.

    What You Need to Demonstrate

    Key skills and knowledge for this topic

    • Application of concepts relating to language variation to data from different time periods and modes
    • Accurate use and application of linguistic terminology
    • Critical evaluation of attitudes towards language and its users
    • Analysis of how mode, field, function, and audience affect language choices
    • Synthesis of language knowledge drawn from different areas of study
    • Analysis of historical, geographical, social, and individual varieties of English
    • Evaluation of the effect of language variation over time across frameworks (graphology, phonology, morphology, syntax, lexis, semantics, discourse)

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Application of concepts relating to language variation to data from different time periods and modes
    • Accurate use and application of linguistic terminology
    • Critical evaluation of attitudes towards language and its users
    • Analysis of how mode, field, function, and audience affect language choices
    • Synthesis of language knowledge drawn from different areas of study
    • Analysis of historical, geographical, social, and individual varieties of English
    • Evaluation of the effect of language variation over time across frameworks (graphology, phonology, morphology, syntax, lexis, semantics, discourse)

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡Ensure familiarity with the English phonemic reference sheet and transcription mark key provided in the exam
    • 💡Use a descriptive approach to evaluate how language choices are affected by social and geographical factors
    • 💡Focus on the development of English as a national language and the influences (cultural, social, political, technological) that have changed it over time
    • 💡Practice comparative analysis for both 21st-century texts and texts from different historical periods
    • 💡Ensure responses are extended and comparative in nature
    • 💡Tip 1: Plan your commentary by selecting 3-4 key language features from your original writing and analysing each in a separate paragraph. This ensures depth rather than a superficial list.
    • 💡Tip 2: Always link your analysis to the audience and purpose. For example, if you used a colloquialism, explain how it creates a sense of solidarity with a teenage audience.
    • 💡Tip 3: Use the mark scheme to self-assess. Check that you have addressed AO1 (terminology), AO2 (context), AO3 (evaluation), and AO4 (connections to wider contexts) explicitly.

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Failure to use appropriate linguistic terminology accurately
    • Lack of critical evaluation of attitudes towards language
    • Inability to synthesise knowledge across different areas of study
    • Superficial analysis of contextual factors (mode, field, function, audience)
    • Inconsistent application of language frameworks to data
    • Misconception: The commentary is just a summary of what you did. Correction: It is an analytical essay that uses linguistic terminology to explain and evaluate your choices, not a narrative of your writing process.
    • Misconception: You must use as many theories as possible. Correction: Quality over quantity – choose a few theories that are genuinely relevant and apply them in depth, rather than name-dropping.
    • Misconception: The commentary should be written in a formal, academic style. Correction: While it should be academic, it is also a personal reflection, so you can use first-person pronouns and discuss your own intentions, but maintain a formal tone.

    Revision Plan

    How to revise this topic in 1–2 weeks

    1. 1Week 1: Review the mark scheme and exemplar commentaries. Identify what makes a high-scoring commentary (e.g., use of terminology, evaluation).
    2. 2Week 1: Write your original piece (Assignment 1) and annotate it with language features you used – this will be your raw material for the commentary.
    3. 3Week 2: Draft your commentary, focusing on one language feature per paragraph. Use the PEA (Point, Evidence, Analysis) structure, but adapt it to include evaluation.
    4. 4Week 2: Revise your draft, adding theoretical links and evaluating the effectiveness of your choices. Ask yourself: 'Why did I choose this? How does it affect the reader?'
    5. 5Week 2: Get feedback from your teacher or peers, then refine your commentary. Ensure you have met the word count (750-1000 words) and all assessment objectives.

    Exam Question Types

    How this topic typically appears in the exam

    • 📋Commentary on your own writing: This is the NEA itself – you write a reflective analysis of your original piece. Advice: Use a clear structure, e.g., introduction, paragraphs on different language features, and a conclusion that evaluates overall effectiveness.
    • 📋Short analysis questions (in the exam): You may be asked to analyse a short extract from a text, similar to the commentary but on someone else's writing. Advice: Apply the same frameworks and terminology, but focus on the writer's choices and effects.
    • 📋Evaluation questions: You might be asked to evaluate a statement about language, using your knowledge from the course. Advice: Use examples from your own writing or other texts to support your argument.

    Command Word Expectations (EDEXCEL)

    What examiners look for when using specific command words in this specification

    Analyse

    Break down the text into its constituent parts (e.g., language features) and explain how they work together to create meaning. Use specific terminology and quote evidence.

    Evaluate

    Make a judgement about the effectiveness or success of the writing. Consider strengths and weaknesses, and support your judgement with evidence and reasoning.

    Comment on

    Give a detailed explanation of a feature or aspect, showing understanding of its significance. This is less formal than 'analyse' but still requires depth.

    How Students Lose Marks (Examiner Pitfalls)

    Common mark loss traps and how to write 100% full-mark answers

    Pitfall: Students often describe their writing process instead of analysing their own language choices, losing marks for AO1 and AO2.
    ❌ Weak Answer (Loses Marks):I chose to use a formal tone because I wanted my article to sound professional. I also included some statistics to make it more convincing.
    ✅ 100% Model Answer (Full Marks):In my article, I adopted a formal register through the use of Latinate lexis and passive constructions, such as 'the data were analysed', to establish authority and align with the conventions of broadsheet journalism. This choice reflects Fairclough's notion of synthetic personalisation, as I directly address the reader with 'you' to create a sense of involvement while maintaining a power differential. The statistics I integrated serve as quantitative evidence, appealing to logos and reinforcing the credibility of my argument, which is essential for a readership of educated adults seeking informed commentary.
    Examiner Tip: Always link every language choice to a specific linguistic framework (e.g., lexis, syntax, pragmatics) and a relevant theory or concept. Avoid mere description; focus on the effect and why you made that choice.
    Pitfall: Students forget to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of their own writing, which is required for AO3 (critical evaluation).
    ❌ Weak Answer (Loses Marks):Overall, I think my piece was successful because it met the word count and I used a variety of techniques.
    ✅ 100% Model Answer (Full Marks):While my piece effectively achieved its purpose of persuading young adults to adopt sustainable habits, I recognise that my overuse of imperative forms, such as 'recycle now', may have alienated some readers by appearing too directive. A more balanced approach, incorporating interrogatives to engage the audience in dialogue, could have enhanced its persuasive appeal. Additionally, my reliance on statistics from a single source limited the diversity of evidence, potentially weakening my argument's credibility. This reflection highlights the importance of audience awareness and the need to adapt my style to avoid a patronising tone.
    Examiner Tip: Dedicate a section of your commentary to evaluating the effectiveness of your choices. Acknowledge limitations and suggest alternative approaches, showing critical self-awareness.

    Step-by-Step Worked Solutions

    Detailed solution breakdown for typical exam problems

    Question: Analyse the following extract from a student's original writing (a speech) and identify three linguistic features that contribute to its persuasive effect. For each feature, explain the intended impact on the audience. (6 marks)

    1. 1.Step 1: Read the extract carefully and identify three distinct linguistic features (e.g., rhetorical questions, imperative verbs, emotive lexis).
    2. 2.Step 2: For each feature, quote the specific example from the text and name the language framework (e.g., syntax, lexis).
    3. 3.Step 3: Explain the effect on the audience, linking to the purpose of persuasion and the context (e.g., a speech to students).
    4. 4.Step 4: Ensure you use appropriate terminology (e.g., 'interrogative mood', 'connotation') and consider the audience's response.
    Final Answer: Three features: 1) Rhetorical question: 'Do you want to be the generation that fails?' – uses interrogative mood to engage the audience and provoke thought, making them feel involved. 2) Imperative verb: 'Act now!' – direct command creates urgency and encourages immediate action. 3) Emotive lexis: 'devastating consequences' – connotes negativity and fear, appealing to the audience's emotions to motivate change.

    Question: Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the following commentary extract. Identify two strengths and two weaknesses, and suggest improvements. (8 marks)

    1. 1.Step 1: Read the commentary extract and identify what the student is trying to do (e.g., analyse their own writing).
    2. 2.Step 2: Look for evidence of linguistic analysis (AO1) and use of theories (AO2) – these are strengths if present.
    3. 3.Step 3: Look for descriptive statements that lack analysis or evaluation – these are weaknesses.
    4. 4.Step 4: For each weakness, suggest a specific improvement, such as adding a theoretical link or explaining the effect on the audience.
    Final Answer: Strengths: 1) The student uses accurate terminology like 'synthetic personalisation' and 'intertextuality', showing good knowledge of concepts. 2) They link their choices to the purpose of the text, explaining how they aimed to persuade. Weaknesses: 1) The commentary is largely descriptive, stating what they did without explaining the effect on the reader – e.g., 'I used a metaphor' lacks analysis. 2) They do not evaluate the success of their choices or consider alternatives. Improvement: Add a sentence explaining the effect of the metaphor on the audience and discuss whether it could have been more effective.

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    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, grammar, phonology, etc.) – you need to be able to identify and name these in your own writing.
    • •Knowledge of key linguistic theories and concepts, such as Grice's maxims, politeness theory, and language and power.
    • •Experience in analysing texts – the skills you use for unseen texts are the same as those needed for your own commentary.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    • Metalinguistic reflection on the writing process
    • Analysis of lexical and syntactical choices
    • Evaluation of audience engagement and purpose fulfillment

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

    Analyse
    Evaluate
    Explore
    Discuss
    Compare

    Ready to test yourself?

    Practice questions tailored to this topic

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