GCSE English revision • Edexcel

Edexcel English Language Paper 2 Revision

Know what the question wants. Know how to answer it.

Read non-fiction with purpose, compare ideas clearly and develop your transactional writing with step-by-step support and Grade 9 models from The Lightup Hub.

For Pearson Edexcel GCSE English Language 1EN0: Non-fiction and Transactional Writing.

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Your choice determines your taster. Select English Language Paper 2 as your weakest topic. Choosing a different topic gives you a different taster.

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  2. Tell us what you study. Answer the questions about your texts and papers when you first join.
  3. Choose English Language Paper 2. Select it when we ask which topic you find hardest to receive the Paper 2 taster.

Your question-by-question guide

What is on Edexcel English Language Paper 2?

For GCSE English Language 1EN0, Section A uses two unseen non-fiction texts and is worth 56 marks. Section B is transactional writing and is worth 40 marks.

Q1-2 2 marks each

Find details in Text 1

Identify the information or examples requested from the specified part of Text 1.

Focus: follow the question and select accurately.

Q3 15 marks

Analyse language and structure

Explain how the writer uses language and structure to interest and engage the reader. Support your response with detailed references to Text 1.

Focus: explore both language and structure.

Q4-5 1 mark each

Find details in Text 2

Use the specified lines or extract to identify the detail or example requested.

Focus: concise, accurate answers.

Q6 15 marks

Evaluate the writer's success

Make a judgement about how successfully the writer achieves the effect named in the question. Support your view with evidence from Text 2.

Focus: a supported judgement about the writing.

Q7(a) 6 marks

Connect the texts

Explain similarities between the texts on the focus given. Support your points with evidence from both.

Focus: relevant shared ideas and details.

Q7(b) 14 marks

Compare ideas and perspectives

Compare how the writers present their ideas and perspectives, including the language and structure they use.

Focus: a connected comparison of ideas and methods.

Q8/9 40 marks

Choose one transactional writing task

Answer either Question 8 or Question 9. Adapt your writing to the audience, purpose and form specified, developing your ideas with a clear structure and appropriate tone.

24 marks for communication and organisation. 16 for vocabulary, sentence structure, spelling and punctuation.

Check your qualification: this guide is for Edexcel GCSE English Language 1EN0. English Language 2.0 (1EN2) and International GCSE have different papers. Ask your teacher if you are unsure.

Exam information: Pearson Edexcel 1EN0 specification .

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Make the method make sense.

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  • Step-by-step support for non-fiction reading and comparison
  • Edexcel Grade 9 writing examples and frameworks
  • Support for writing with structure, style and purpose

Your Edexcel Paper 2 course preview. Join free to access your taster.

Transactional writing: a small example

Same request. A clearer purpose.

Starting idea for a letter: We need a quiet space at lunch because it is noisy.

Dear Headteacher,

For students who find a crowded lunch hall overwhelming, a quiet room could make the school day more manageable. I am writing to ask whether one classroom could be made available at lunchtime, giving pupils a calm place to read, reset and return to lessons ready to learn.
A clear audience A specific request An appropriate tone

The revision explains the purpose, proposes a practical change and gives the reader a reason to consider it. This is an original illustration, not a marked Grade 9 answer. Adapt your writing to the form and purpose in the exam task.

The things you want to know

Edexcel English Language Paper 2 FAQs

How do I revise for Edexcel English Language Paper 2?

Use your qualification's current practice papers and mark schemes. Work on one skill at a time: selecting evidence, analysing language and structure, evaluating, comparing or transactional writing. Review your answer, improve a specific part, then build towards timed practice.

How long is Paper 2 and how many marks is it worth?

For Edexcel GCSE English Language 1EN0, Paper 2 lasts 2 hours 5 minutes and is worth 96 marks. Reading contributes 56 marks and writing 40 marks. The paper is worth 60% of the GCSE.

What is the difference between Question 7(a) and 7(b)?

Question 7(a) asks you to explain similarities on a specified focus, supported by both texts. Question 7(b) asks you to compare how the writers present ideas and perspectives, including their language and structure. Read each task carefully and keep your response focused on it.

What is transactional writing?

It is writing for a particular audience and purpose in a specified form, such as a letter, article or speech. Depending on the task, you might need to explain, inform, advise, argue or persuade. Choose your tone and organisation to suit that purpose.

Do I answer both Question 8 and Question 9?

No. Choose one of the two writing tasks and answer it. Read both options before choosing, then plan your ideas around the task's audience, purpose and form.

How do I get the free English Language Paper 2 taster?

Join Lightup for free, answer the questions about your texts and papers, then choose English Language Paper 2 as your weakest topic when asked. That selection gives you the Paper 2 taster. Choosing a different topic gives you a different taster.

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Revising both papers? Explore Edexcel Paper 1.