Language Paper 2 — Q4 (compare viewpoints)

What you need to know

• Q4 asks you to compare viewpoints/perspectives.
• It’s usually worth a lot of marks, so do 3–4 strong comparative paragraphs.
• Method:
  1. Identify each writer’s viewpoint in 1 sentence.
  2. Choose 3 comparison angles (attitude, tone, ideas/values).
  3. For each angle: quote A + quote B, analyse language/structure, then compare.

Good connectives:

• Whereas, however, in contrast, similarly, this suggests, this implies

Common mistakes

• Just summarising what happens.
• Comparing topics rather than viewpoints.
• Using evidence from one source only.
• Not analysing methods (AO2-style analysis is what lifts the marks).

Self-check

• I stated each writer’s viewpoint clearly.
• Each paragraph uses both sources.
• I analysed language (and at least one structural choice) and linked it to viewpoint.
• I end by comparing the overall message/attitude.

Support videos

• Mr Bruff (P2 Q4 compare viewpoints) search: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=aqa+english+language+paper+2+question+4+compare+mr+bruff
• Stacey Reay (P2 Q4) search: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=aqa+english+language+paper+2+question+4+stacey+reay

Practice

• Past papers (Paper 2): https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/past-papers/gcse-english-language/aqa-paper-2/