AQA English Language Paper 2 Question 4 (2025 Exams Only)

Summary

This video guides students through the process of answering AQA English Language Paper 2 Question 4, a 16-mark comparison question. It highlights how to compare writers' attitudes and the methods used to convey those attitudes in two texts. The video emphasizes focusing on the writer's perspectives, not the characters, and provides examples of various methods such as tone, language, and structure. Key advice includes comparing the attitudes of the writers, analyzing the methods they use, and understanding why these methods are effective in conveying their views. Practical tips and common mistakes are also discussed to help students succeed.

Takeaways

• 😀 AQA English Language Paper 2 Question 4 assesses students on comparing writers' ideas and perspectives, focusing on how these are conveyed across two or more texts.
• 😀 The question asks students to compare different or similar attitudes on a given topic in sources A and B.
• 😀 The question involves two parts: understanding the attitudes in both texts and comparing the methods used to convey these attitudes.
• 😀 Common methods to discuss include language devices such as imperative verbs, emotive language, irony, repetition, metaphor, alliteration, and more.
• 😀 Students should focus on analyzing the writers’ attitudes, not the viewpoints of characters within the texts.
• 😀 It’s crucial to differentiate between the attitudes of the writers and the characters they discuss. For example, in Source A, you analyze Liam Murphy’s attitude toward education, not Andrew Bruff’s.
• 😀 The writers’ attitudes to education in the example are contrasted: Liam Murphy has a relaxed, informal attitude, while Edgar Thompson has a formal, strict approach.
• 😀 Murphy uses humor, informal language, and a casual tone to present his ideas, suggesting education should be less restrictive and more self-directed.
• 😀 In contrast, Thompson uses a formal tone and structured language to convey his belief in education being a serious, structured process with less personal interaction.
• 😀 When answering the question, students should follow this process: 1) Identify the attitudes in the texts, 2) Examine the methods used to convey these attitudes, 3) Analyze why these methods are effective in communicating the writers’ perspectives.

Q & A

What is the main focus of AQA English Language Paper 2, Question 4?

The main focus of AQA English Language Paper 2, Question 4, is to assess the comparison of writers' ideas and perspectives, as well as how these are conveyed across two or more texts.

What should students compare in their response to Question 4?

Students should compare the different attitudes of the writers towards a certain topic, as well as the methods used to convey these attitudes.

How long should students spend on this 16-mark question?

Students should spend around 20 minutes on this 16-mark question.

What are the two distinct parts of Question 4?

The two distinct parts are: 1) demonstrating an understanding of the ideas and attitudes in both texts, comparing them, and 2) comparing the methods used to show these attitudes.

What is the challenge students often face when answering Question 4?

Students often struggle with analyzing the methods used to convey the attitudes, as it may not always be clear which methods are appropriate to mention.

Which methods can be analyzed when responding to this question?

Students can analyze various methods including imperative verbs, emotive language, juxtaposition, irony, repetition, alliteration, humorous imagery, metaphor, simile, symbolism, structural opening/ending, narrative perspective, superlatives, and hyperbole, among others.

What common mistake should be avoided in this question?

A common mistake is analyzing the viewpoints of characters instead of focusing on the attitudes of the writers themselves.

How should students identify the attitudes of the writers?

Students should focus on identifying the writer’s perspective, such as Liam Murphy’s informal attitude and Edgar Thompson’s formal approach, rather than the viewpoints of characters in the text.

Can the exam paper ask students to compare similar perspectives, not just contrasting ones?

Yes, the exam paper could ask students to compare similar perspectives towards a topic as well.

What is a simple approach to structuring the answer to Question 4?

A simple approach is: Step 1: Identify the attitudes; Step 2: Analyze the methods used to present those attitudes; Step 3: Analyze why those methods are used.