Knowledge Organiser— English L anguage Paper 1 Reading BASICS GCSE

Utter Basics Question 2 8 marks Question 3 8 marks Question 4 20 marks

' In June of your Year 11. L ! F#$ % S*+ $* +! F#$ % E3 4 *5# F#$ %
' Paper 1 is worth 50% of your English What will the ques on look like? What will the ques on look like? What will the ques on look like?
Language GCSE.
Read the passage below. How does the How has the writer structured the passage to Read lines 45—90. A reader said “The passage
' Sec on A Reading is worth 25% of your writer use language to describe the place? interest you? Look at: makes me feel tense and anxious.” How far do you
GCSE and takes 60 minutes. agree?
 words and phrases  the focus at the start
 consider your impressions
' You will be given one fic on passage to  language techniques  how and why the focus changes
 evaluate the writer’s methods
read, from a novel or short story.  any other structural choices
 sentences  use quota(ons
' Sec(on B Wri(ng is worth 25% of your GCSE
' Highlight the key focus of the ques(on then ' What is the passage trying to achieve? Eg build
and takes 45 minutes.
begin highligh(ng specific quota(ons from tension, introduce a character, create surprise? ' This is worth 20 marks so make sure you leave at
' You have four ques ons to answer in the passage. least 25 minutes to answer it. It should be much
' Try to split the passage into three stages or key
Sec(on A Reading. longer than earlier answers.
' Look for technical features. moments. Find quota(ons for proof.
' You should use a highlighter to help you ' Highlight the key words in the ques(on and line
' Look for quota(ons which allow you to show ' You must use some technical terms: see below.
with this paper. numbers.
your intelligence, not the obvious. ' Do not waste (me analysing language.
' You must evaluate the statement and the
' Always try to offer layers of meanings/ How do I write it? methods used (like in a language ques(on).
Question 1 4 marks effects from the same detail.
The purpose of the passage is… ' At the start, show what you understand by their
What will the ques on look like? How do I write it? key words by explaining them in rela(on to the
At the start the writer chooses to focus upon…
Read lines 1 to 5 and pick out four things In order to present the place as …. the “uotation”. The effect of this is… text.
we learn about the character. writer uses. . .
In the middle, the writer shifts/narrows the How do I write it?
descrip ve pa;erns of
' Be quick: it’s only worth four marks. dynamic focus to… “uotation”. The effect of this is…
lexical adjec ves / sounds If by “tense” the reader means… then I agree to
verbs
' Read the ques(on carefully, no(ng the lines choices adverbs By the end the focus shifts/narrows / broadens the extent that the writer focuses upon / creates
and specific informa(on wanted. seman c metaphors / lists / to… “uotation”. The effect this creates is… an impression of…
images
field similes repe on
' Technical Terms to Include the character’s
' Offer phrases just long enough to get the dynamic emo ve the seAng physical descrip on
present contrasts / thoughts
marks but no longer. lexical lexical
foreshadows cumula ve effect climax
pivotal
par ciples juxtaposi on an atmosphere of.. sounds ac ons
choices choices moment
eg dark 
narrows / broadens
For example, we are told “quote” which . . . contrasts transi on links For example, “Q ”
the focus
he has dark eyes 
implies.. has connota ons of.. emphasises a sense of.. .
' Don’t list informa(on on the same line. suggests.. creates impressions of.. Moreover,… ' Possible Effects Achieved (Repeat).
Equally,...
eg he has dark eyes, he is tension introduce character curiosity change tone ' Technical Terms to Include
(Pick out single words and offer layers.)
wearing a ragged coat, he is Any / all technical terms from Q2 and Q3!
make you want to
smoking  (one mark) (repeat)
suspense create an atmosphere surprise read on
 Knowledge Organiser— English L anguage Paper 1 writing BASICS GCSE
Utter Basics Structure Sentence Range Things to Check
' In June of your Year 11. ' Here are some possible ideas: ' Short sentences for impact. These are all things which can easily be checked at
the end—and which can make the difference
' Paper 1 is worth 50% of your English  move from large details to ' Longer sentences, perhaps including semicolons
between a pass and fail.
Language GCSE. smaller ones, end on the to join ideas.
introduc(on of a character ' Is the piece clearly and helpfully
' Sec on B Wri ng is worth 25% of your GCSE ' Beginning with adjec(ves: Dejected, alone and
paragraphed?
and takes 45 minutes.  begin with a sound, offer lost, he made his way to the gate.
paragraphs of descrip(on—each ' Is it all in the same verb tense?
' You will be offered two tasks—and you ' Beginning with adverbs: Slowly, cautiously—
coming closer to the source of
choose one. evening timidly— he made his way to the gate. ' Is it all in the same point of view? (eg I
the sound
or she/he throughout?)
' You are marked for the following: ' Beginning with present par(ciples: Scrambling
 introduce a heavy rain storm to
and stumbling, he made his way to the gate. ' Have you used the full range of
the scene, so that you are
style, vocabulary, structure and 24 punctua(on?
describing dynamic weather as ' Non-sentences for impact. He listened, searching
paragraphing
much as seFng for a sound in the darkness which surrounded ' Have you checked for silly errors which
technical accuracy (punctua(on, him. Nothing. could cost you dearly: random capitals,
16  introduce an interes(ng
sentence forms, spelling, grammar, ' Repeated sentence paIerns. missing full stops etc?
character to the scene.
vocabulary)
Too tired to continue, too frightened to rest, too
T#* 4: 40
Punctuation you should be able to use
isolated to seek help, he stared deeper into the Advanced Tips
forest.
' Show not tell. Her hands were pale, the skin
Two things struck me He watched the wind move the branches, he saw
fragile like wrinkled paper not just She was
: about the forest: its the rain beat the leaves, he observed the clouds
cover the moon. really old.
Task Types colon for lists
silence admits utter
stillness.
' Adjec(ves a er the noun. ' Consider seman(c fields. For example, a
' There will be two tasks. You choose to do
Rain hammered the descrip(on of a stormy sea might use words
one. Strange sounds, haunting and unworldly, came
leaves above; water ran from a seman(c field of figh(ng: thumped the
from the darkness.
' One will be picture based. ; down the damp trunks
of the trees; puddles The moon—pale and weak—peered through the
shore, whipped the beach, pummelled the
boats, clawed at the pier…
semicolon to join
Examples collected in the brown trees.
earth at my feet. ' Look to use metaphors and/or similes in
Either: crea(ve wri(ng.
Write a description Silence filled the
suggested by this
picture.
— wood—filled the wood
like an oppressive
' Personifica(on can also work well in building a
sense of atmosphere and seFng.
single drama c dash vapour. making mistakes is
absolutely okay.

Or: Not even having a go is

The sun—as it forced its just a bit pathetic.
Write a story based upon an experience in —— way through the
the countryside. double bracket dash branches above—was
pale and fragmentary.