Language Paper 2 — Q5 (writing: viewpoint/persuasive)

What you need to know

• Q5 is transactional writing: you’re writing to argue/persuade/advise.
• You’re marked on:
  • Content + organisation (A05)
  • Technical accuracy (A06)

Method (fast + exam-safe):

1. Decide your viewpoint and audience.
2. Plan 4 chunks: Intro → 2–3 main points → counterpoint → punchy ending.
3. For each paragraph, plan 1–2 rhetorical methods:
   • rhetorical question, direct address, rule of three, contrast, anecdote, emotive language, facts/statistics.
4. Leave 3–5 minutes to proofread (A06).

Common mistakes

• No clear viewpoint (waffle / balanced forever).
• Writing like a story instead of persuasive writing.
• Overusing rhetorical questions with no substance.
• Not proofreading: basic errors that cost easy A06 marks.

Self-check

• My viewpoint is clear in the first 2–3 lines.
• Paragraphs are logically ordered and linked.
• I’ve used a range of persuasive techniques purposefully.
• I proofread for: sentence boundaries, commas, spellings, paragraphing.

Support videos

• Mr Bruff (P2 Q5 writing) search: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=aqa+english+language+paper+2+question+5+writing+mr+bruff
• First Rate Tutors (transactional writing) search: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=transactional+writing+gcse+english+first+rate+tutors

Practice

• Past papers (Paper 2): https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/past-papers/gcse-english-language/aqa-paper-2/
• Use the same Q5 practice routine as Paper 1 (plan → methods plan → chunk → timed write → A06).