2026 AQA English Language Paper 2 Question 4: Your Guide

Summary

This video explains how to approach a 16-mark AQA English Language Paper 2 question that compares writers' ideas, attitudes, and the methods they use to convey their perspectives. The key is to focus on the writers’ viewpoints, not the characters they describe, and to analyze language methods like repetition, metaphor, and tone. The video provides step-by-step guidance, emphasizing precision when identifying the writers’ feelings and thoughts. It also discusses common mistakes and effective strategies to ensure a high-scoring response by connecting methods to the conveyed perspectives in both sources.

Takeaways

• 😀 The AQA English Language Paper 2 question 4 assesses students' ability to compare writers' ideas, perspectives, and methods in two texts.
• 😀 Students should spend around 20 minutes on this 16-mark question and avoid oversimplifying the comparison between the writers.
• 😀 It’s crucial to focus on the writers' ideas and attitudes, not the ideas of other people presented in the texts (e.g., not Ryan's perspective in Source B).
• 😀 The key to success is analyzing the methods the writers use to convey their viewpoints, such as repetition, metaphor, irony, and emotive language.
• 😀 Methods can include a variety of writing techniques, including imperative verbs, alliteration, humor, hyperbole, and symbolism.
• 😀 The purpose of the question is to compare the writers' viewpoints, not the methods themselves. The methods should be used to explain how the viewpoints are presented.
• 😀 A good approach is to follow these steps: 1) Identify the attitudes and ideas, 2) Comment on the methods used to present those ideas, 3) Analyze why those methods are used.
• 😀 Avoid vague descriptions like 'one writer is happy, the other is sad.' Instead, use precise language such as 'desperation,' 'elation,' 'mocking,' or 'overwhelmed.'
• 😀 In Source A, Nield Chew’s use of repetition (e.g., 'hoped against hope') conveys a sense of desperation, linked to her difficult working conditions.
• 😀 In Source B, Andrew Hale uses the metaphor 'recharge your batteries' to depict his positive, rejuvenating work experience, contrasting with the negativity in Source A.

Q & A

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

The main focus of Question 4 is to compare how writers convey their ideas and perspectives across two texts, specifically their thoughts and feelings about their experiences at work. It also asks students to analyze the methods used to convey these ideas.

What should students avoid when answering this question?

Students should avoid analyzing the thoughts and feelings of others presented in the texts (such as coworkers or employers) and instead focus solely on the writer’s own perspectives and viewpoints.

What are the two main components of this question that students need to focus on?

The two main components are: 1) Demonstrating an understanding of the writers' ideas and attitudes in both texts, and 2) Commenting on the methods used to present those ideas and attitudes.

What kind of methods can students analyze in their answer?

Students can analyze various methods such as imperative verbs, emotive language, repetition, metaphor, irony, alliteration, similes, hyperbole, structural techniques, and more, as long as these methods are used to convey the writer's ideas and perspectives.

What is the key tip for answering the question effectively?

The key tip is to follow this approach: Step 1: Identify the attitudes and ideas, Step 2: Identify the methods used to present those ideas, and Step 3: Analyze why those methods are used to convey the viewpoints.

Why is it important to focus on analyzing methods, and what happens if methods aren’t analyzed?

Focusing on analyzing methods is crucial because the question is explicitly about the methods used to present the ideas. If students do not analyze methods, they risk failing to score above 6 marks out of 16, as this was a common issue in past exams.

What is a common mistake that students make when comparing writers’ perspectives?

A common mistake is oversimplifying the writers' perspectives. For example, just saying 'one writer is happy, the other is sad' is too vague. It’s important to use more precise language, such as 'elation,' 'desperation,' or 'frustration.'

How should students approach comparing writers’ viewpoints in terms of their tone or emotional perspective?

Students should compare the emotional tone or perspectives between the two writers, such as contrasting the frustration and desperation in Source A with the elation and positivity in Source B. The comparison should focus on the perspectives, not on comparing the methods used to express them.

What does the script suggest about writing about methods like repetition in Source A and metaphor in Source B?

The script suggests that students should not compare the use of repetition in Source A with the use of metaphor in Source B directly. Instead, they should compare the writers’ perspectives (e.g., frustration in Source A vs. elation in Source B) and analyze how the methods (repetition and metaphor) support these perspectives.

What was a significant change in the wording of the exam question in recent years?

A significant change in the wording is the shift to asking students to 'comment on the methods used' instead of just 'identify methods.' This change clarifies that the focus should be on how methods are used to present the writers’ viewpoints.