AQA English Language Paper 2 Walkthrough examiner guide

Most students find Paper 2 harder than Paper 1, not because the skills are more difficult, but because comparing two texts while analysing language, summarising differences, and writing to a specific audience all in the same paper feels like a lot to hold in your head at once.

This walkthrough was written by a former Edexcel GCSE examiner with over ten years of tutoring experience. It breaks Paper 2 down question by question, what the examiner is looking for, how the marks are split, and the paragraph structures I use with every student I work with. By the end of it, the paper should feel significantly less overwhelming.

How to Use This Guide

Read it once all the way through. Then go back and learn the paragraph structure for each question until you can recall it without looking. The students who improve fastest are the ones who practise these structures on real extracts until they become automatic.

Exam Overview

Paper 2 is a non-fiction paper. You are given two unseen non-fiction extracts and asked five questions about them.

Questions 2 and 4 are comparison questions — you use both sources. Questions 1 and 3 focus on one extract only.

Recommended reading and answering order: Question 1, Question 3, Question 2, Question 4, Question 5.

Before you read the extracts, read Questions 2 to 4 first. Underline the key words in each question. Then read and annotate both extracts with those questions in mind. For Question 4 specifically, note the perspectives and attitudes of each writer at the bottom of each extract as you read.

Total marks: 80. Time: 1 hour 45 minutes.

Question 1 — 4 Marks | 3-4 Minutes | AO1

Question 1 asks you to read one of the extracts and choose four correct statements from a list of eight.

There is no analysis required. One mark per correct statement. Read carefully — some statements are close to correct but subtly wrong. Get your four choices and move on. Do not spend more than four minutes here.

Question 2 — 8 Marks | 10 Minutes | AO1

Question 2 asks you to summarise the differences or similarities between both sources on a given topic.

Write two paragraphs. No language technique analysis is needed for this question — that is what Question 3 is for. This question is about understanding and comparison only.

My Paragraph Structure for Question 2

Step 1 — Comparison point. State a main difference or similarity. Mention both sources in the same sentence.

Step 2 — Source A quote. Give a relevant quotation from Source A.

Step 3 — Source A inference. "It shows us that..." — interpret the quote. Do not just repeat what it says.

Step 4 — Source B quote. Give a relevant quotation from Source B.

Step 5 — Source B inference. "It shows us that..." — interpret the quote from Source B.

Step 6 — Comparison. Directly compare the difference or similarity between the two sources to close the paragraph.

Question 3 — 12 Marks | 15 Minutes | AO2

Question 3 asks you to analyse the language techniques the writer uses in one of the extracts.

Write three paragraphs. Zoom in on key words in each paragraph. The approach is the same as Paper 1 Question 2 — technique, quote, general effect, specific effect, zoom in — but you are now working with non-fiction rather than fiction. The same principles apply.

My Paragraph Structure for Question 3

Step 1 — Opening point. Link to the question. Summarise what your paragraph will argue.

Step 2 — Quote. Select a precise, relevant quotation.

Step 3 — Technique. Identify the technique.

Step 4 — General effect. What the technique always does, regardless of context.

Step 5 — Specific effect. How it makes the reader feel in this specific context.

Step 6 — Zoom in. Pick one key word. Analyse it — noun, verb, or adjective. Use how, why, and because.

Step 7 — Link back. Return to the question wording to close the paragraph.

The two types of effect — always include both

The general effect is what the technique is always designed to do, regardless of context. A rhetorical question always engages the reader directly. A list of three always creates rhythm and emphasis. These never change.

The specific effect is how the technique makes the reader feel in this particular extract. This is your interpretation. This is what earns the higher marks.

Question 4 — 16 Marks | 20 Minutes | AO3

Question 4 asks you to compare how the two writers present their perspectives and attitudes on a given topic.

The question will typically be worded: "Compare how the writers present their different attitudes towards X." Key vocabulary to know: attitudes, opinions, thoughts, and feelings all mean the same thing in this context — they all mean perspectives.

Write two to three paragraphs. Every paragraph must include a quote from both sources. You are comparing perspectives, not just techniques. Use the key word from the question throughout your answer.

My Paragraph Structure for Question 4

Step 1 — Comparison point. Mention both sources in your opening sentence.

Step 2 — Source A quote. Quotation from Source A.

Step 3 — Interpret and link to perspective. What does it show? Link back to the question. Use the word "perspective."

Step 4 — Technique (brief). Name the technique. Give a brief effect. This is not an AO2 question so keep it short.

Step 5 — Comparison point. Introduce the next point — again mention both sources in the same sentence.

Step 6 — Source B quote. Quotation from Source B.

Step 7 — Interpret and link to perspective. What does it show? Link back to the question.

Step 8 — Technique (brief). Name the technique. Give a brief effect.

Step 9 — Final comparison. Directly compare the overall perspectives of the two writers.

Question 5 — 40 Marks | 45-50 Minutes | AO5 and AO6

Question 5 is the transactional writing question. It is worth half the marks on this paper. Spend five to ten minutes planning before you write.

You will be asked to write for a specific purpose and audience — an article, a speech, a letter, or a leaflet. The form matters. Each one has different conventions and the examiner expects you to know them.

Forms and their requirements

Magazine article — informal tone. Title, four subheadings using alliteration, shorter paragraphs, an anecdote, language techniques, statistics.

Newspaper article — formal tone. Title, one to two subheadings, longer denser paragraphs, no techniques, statistics, expert quotes.

Speech to peers — informal tone. No title, two to three topics and a conclusion, direct address, rhetorical questions, statistics.

Speech to adults — formal tone. No title, formal register, two to three topics and a conclusion, statistics, facts.

Leaflet — mixed tone. Title, four to six subheadings using alliteration, short paragraphs, facts, possibly reviews.

Formal letter — formal tone. Your address top right, date, their address left, "To whom it may concern," "Yours faithfully."

Informal letter — informal tone. Your address, "Dear [Name]," language techniques, "Kind regards."

How the marks are split

AO5 is worth 24 marks and covers content and organisation — your range of ideas, use of language techniques, appropriate tone, suitability for the form and purpose, and paragraph structure.

AO6 is worth 16 marks and covers technical accuracy — spelling, punctuation range, grammar, sentence length variation, and structural techniques.

I have a full separate guide to Question 5 with a detailed paragraph structure on this site. You can also watch my 45 minute in-depth video walkthrough here: https://youtu.be/js5SKkYtnR8

The How / Why / Because Rule

This applies to every analytical question on this paper.

Every time you make a point, ask yourself: how does this technique create its effect? Why does the writer use it? Because... — and finish the sentence. You cannot end a sentence on the word because. It forces you to go further. It forces you to go deeper. That depth is what separates a grade 6 from a grade 7, and it is something I have used to move students from grade 4 to grade 7 in a matter of sessions.

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Work Through This With Me Directly

Knowing the structures is the first step. Applying them under timed exam conditions on an unseen extract is a different skill entirely — and that is what we practise in sessions.

If you'd like to work through this with me directly, and we can talk through exactly where you are and what you need to hit your target grade. Click the button below!