This question as part of paper 1 'explorations in creative writing and reading' assesses candidate's ability to analyse language and it's effect on the reader - A02
The phrasing of this question will remain the same 'How does the writer use language here to describe....' and ends with a specific focus depending on the unseen extract.
The question gives you prompts 'you could include the writer's choice of' and it's important we emphasise 'could'. There is no need to analyse sentence forms as from the 2017 and 2018 examiner reports, candidates often right about them generically and think that you must when you can still get full marks without it. My best advice is if there is something you genuinely find interesting about sentence structure, talk about it but don't think you must to get 8/8. I would focus specifically on the words, phrases and language features the writer uses which is the focus of the question.
It's really important to not take things out of context. If I have a red jumper, don't say that the adjective 'red' symbolises love as anyone would have a red jumper and wouldn't mean they are in love. Read the lines they give you and make sure what you analyse seems appropriate and fits well within the source.
I'm going to use the 2017 Rosabel paper for specific focus and help.
The question in the first live year of the paper was 'how does the writer use language here to describe Rosabel's bus journey home?
It's 8 marks so spend around 10-12 minutes answering the question. Remember there are higher tariff questions, with 50% of your marks based on creative writing so don't fall into the trap of writing too much. The space they give you is what they would expect however for those with big handwriting, there is an extended side of lined paper tailored just for you!
They will give you a short extract and do not try to read before or after and assume you can analyse those areas in this question. The question above shows that students should just focus on lines 6-14.
When tackling this question, do not feature spot. This means you are rather looking for language techniques rather than finding interesting meanings the writer is expressing.
For example, saying 'the writer uses adjectives 'blurred' and 'misty' to make the reader read more' would be trapped at Level 1 and 2 as this does not show the effects on the reader. Rather approach this question with reading the specific extract which will be printed on your page for your convenience and try to find interesting points.
An Level 4 example paragraph would be
The writer uses adjectives 'blurred' and 'misty' to create a semantic field of despair, depicting the mundane and lifeless atmosphere Rosabel is in as lower-class girl. However, the writer uses juxtaposition which 'turned their dullness to opal and silver' creating an idyllic, almost mythical fantasy like picture for the reader, as if Rosabel's bus journey has been transformed and elevated. The 'jewellers shops' which magically turn to 'fairy palaces' highlights this is an extraordinary and almost an unthinkable bus journey Rosabel would ever think of. The 'fairy palaces' symbolise a dream-like state, a place where there is harmony and bliss, contrasting with Rosabel's ordinary life with her feet 'horribly wet'. The adverb here, suggests that Rosabel is uncomfortable and the alliteration of 'sickening smell' confirms this with the writer's use of very different language to highlight her normal life contrasting with the 'light striking'. Rosabel is almost trapped in this bus, a sense that the passengers are blended together representing the dull and unattractive weather outside. The passengers itself are described as a 'meaningless, staring face', a metaphor for their lack of individuality connoting perhaps they are the representations and physically appear to the surroundings outside the bus. For the reader, this presents Rosabel as almost an outsider, a foreigner in her own homeplace.
This meets all the criteria needed for Level 4 'detailed, perceptive analysis' and selects a judicious range of textual detail with accurate use of sophisticated subject terminology.
This question is only worth 8 marks so don't over think it. Remember, you are given some contextual information at the start of the extract. Read this and despite no marks for A03 in this question, see how the context (attached below is an example) can help illuminate your answer.
