Preparing for Your AQA Language Paper 2 (Free Lesson)

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Hey everyone! If you're gearing up for AQA Language Paper 2, perhaps for the November Resits, or even just getting ready for next Summer, I know exactly what you're going through. I've worked with thousands of students over the years, and trust me when I say, we've navigated this paper inside and out. So, let's break it down together—nothing too formal, just straight talk about how to ace this paper.

The Paper Layout

First up, Language Paper 2 has two big sections: Section A (Reading) and Section B (Writing). You’ll be juggling both, but don’t worry, I’ve got some great tips to make this as smooth as possible.

Section A: Reading

This part is all about reading two texts—often old, sometimes pretty dry—and comparing them. But once you’ve got the hang of the format, it’s not as scary as it seems.

Key Parts of Section A:

• Comparison is Key: You’ll be asked to compare these texts—either their similarities or differences. It could be anything from how two writers describe a train journey to the differences in their opinions.

• The Question Breakdown:

  • Question 1: Simple stuff, really—just finding four true statements in one of the texts. Don’t overthink it—2 minutes tops, and you’re done.

  • Question 2: Here, it’s all about writing a summary comparing two texts. Let’s say they’re describing two different trains. You’ll set up a table to organize your thoughts and get those key points down quickly.

  • Question 3: This one’s all about language. Think of all those JAMWINS techniques we’ve talked about—alliteration, metaphors, similes. This is your time to show how they work in the text.

  • Question 4: Now comes the big one: comparing how the writers feel. It’s not just about language anymore; it’s about perspective—how these writers see the world differently (or similarly). Focus on both language and structure here.

Section B: Writing

This part is where you’ll get to flex your writing muscles. The task might be a letter, speech, article, or even something like writing to argue or persuade. It’s about transactional writing, so your job is to argue, advise, or explain something in a clear, engaging way.

Writing Tips:

• Understand the Question: This seems obvious, but make sure you know exactly what the question is asking you to do. Whether it’s to argue a point or offer advice, nail the tone from the start.

• Plan, Plan, Plan: Take a couple of minutes to sketch out what you want to say. You’ll write faster and better when you have a road map. You should use TAPS and DAFOREST to help you out.

• Keep it Structured: Structure is everything. Make sure you have a clear intro, middle, and conclusion. Don’t ramble—stay focused!

Time Management: Your Secret Weapon

One of the biggest struggles I see students face is the clock. But with a bit of planning, you’ll be fine:

• Setup for success: read question 2, 3 and 4 and mark the prompts onto the 2 extracts. Then read the extracts within about 10 minutes, highlighting quotes you'll need as you go.

• Question 1: 2 minutes—find your four true statements and move on.

• Question 2: Spend about 11-12 minutes comparing the texts. Get straight to the point.

• Question 3: You’ll want around 15-16 minutes for this language analysis. Make sure you dig into those techniques.

• Question 4: This one’s trickier, so budget around 20 minutes for a solid comparison of both texts.

Pro Tips for Success

• Always Plan: Whether you’re comparing texts or analyzing language, having a plan will make your answer flow much more easily. It doesn’t need to be complicated—a quick table or bullet points will do.

• Use Color: Highlighting is a great way to keep track of which quotes go with which question. Use different colors for different tasks so you don’t get confused later.

• Practice, Practice, Practice: Comparing texts can feel like a headache at first, but once you’ve done it a few times, it’ll click. Keep at it.

Final Thoughts

I’ve seen so many students go from panic to confidence with Language Paper 2, and you can too. It’s all about strategy. Stay organized, manage your time well, and know what the examiner’s looking for. You’ve got this! If you take the time to practice and understand the structure, you’ll walk into that exam feeling ready to crush it.

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