Language Paper 1 — Q2 (language analysis)

What you need to know

• Analyse language: zoom in on words/phrases, methods, and effects.
• Use short quotes, then explain: what it suggests + why it’s effective.
• Prioritise: connotations, semantic fields, tone, imagery.

Common mistakes

• Feature spotting without meaning.
• Quoting huge chunks.
• Saying “it makes the reader want to read on” (too generic).

Self-check

• Have I used 2–3 strong quotes and explored them properly?
• Have I linked effect back to the question focus?

Support videos

• Mr Bruff (P1 Q2 language) search: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=aqa+english+language+paper+1+question+2+mr+bruff
• Mr Everything English (P1 Q2 language) search: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=aqa+english+language+paper+1+question+2+mr+everything+english

Practice

• Past papers (Paper 1): https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/past-papers/gcse-english-language/aqa-paper-1/
• Focus: effects of quotes (zoom into 1–2 words and explain connotations).