Paper 2, Question 5 is the persuasive / transactional writing task and is worth a hefty 40 marks... so getting this right can make a huge difference to your final grade. This is where you’ll show off your ability to communicate with purpose: to argue, persuade, inform or advise while using language and structure effectively.

Paper 2 might seem like the trickier sibling of Paper 1, but once you know what the exam is really looking for, it feels far less daunting. With the updated specification from summer 2026, a few details have shifted but the core skills you need, such as careful reading, comparing ideas and clear, written explanations, haven’t changed. This guide breaks down Questions 1 - 4, shows how much time to spend on each and gives you practical tips you can actually use.  

Paper 1, Question 5 is where students can show off their writing skills, including creativity, control of language and technical accuracy. It’s worth 40 marks, almost half of the paper, so getting comfortable with this question can make a huge difference to overall grades. From summer 2026, students will still have a choice between two tasks: one narrative (story opening) and one descriptive (based on an image). Both tasks are designed to test the same skills as before

Tackling AQA GCSE English Language Paper 1 might feel confusing at first, especially with the new spec changes coming into effect from summer 2026, but, don't worry, once you know what the paper involves, it’s surprisingly straightforward. This guide explains Questions 1 - 4, gives timing and mark breakdowns and shares top tips that actually work.

If your teen is in Year 10 or Year 11, you might already be feeling that quiet hum of exam stress starting to creep in. In particular, GCSE English Literature can seem daunting as there are so many quotes, characters and themes to remember. It’s a lot, even for the most organised teen (and for parents who are trying to help from the sidelines). Luckily, there’s one simple, incredibly effective strategy your teen can try right now: starting a personal quote bank.

There are fifteen poems in the AQA Power and Conflict cluster so, course, the idea of revising all of them is going to feel overwhelming. However, once you understand what each poem is trying to say (and how they're all connected by similar themes ) it becomes much easier to remember them. This guide will help you get there.

An Inspector Calls is a powerful play packed with social commentary, family drama and moral questions. Even though it was written in 1945 and set in 1912, its themes and messages still feel relevant today. Revising it for your GCSE English Literature exam might feel overwhelming at first, but this guide will walk you through the plot, characters, themes and key quotes, as well as some practical revision strategies.

J.B. Priestley’s An Inspector Calls has been a key part of the GCSE English Literature syllabus for years and, frankly, it’s not hard to see why. On the surface, it’s a well-crafted, single-room drama: a dinner party, a surprise visitor and a mention of a dead girl whose story slowly unravels.

Let’s be honest. Unseen poetry can feel... a bit intimidating. You open the paper, glance at the poem you’ve never seen before and your brain freezes. What if you don’t “get” it? What if it’s weird? What if it’s one of those abstract ones without any punctuation? It’s fine. Really. It’s not about having all the answers. It’s about showing how you think, how you respond and how well you can explore a poem. Not perfectly decode it.

Romeo and Juliet is perhaps Shakespeare’s most famous play...or at least the one most people have heard of. It’s a classic love story, although calling it "just a love story" feels a bit oversimplified. It’s also about family feuds, fate, teenage rebellion and the chaos that happens when you mix impulsive decisions with deep emotions. Quite relatable, really, even though it’s more than 400 years old.

This guide will help you prepare effectively for your GCSE English Literature exam by clearly explaining the plot, themes and Shakespeare’s language, along with practical and engaging revision strategies.

Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s darkest and most dramatic plays - a whirlwind of witches, murder and moral meltdown. It’s basically the story of a brave and loyal soldier and his ambitious wife who let their desire for power get way out of hand.

This guide will help you to prepare for your GCSE English Literature exam on "Macbeth" by explaining exactly what you need to know about the plot, themes and language of this play and suggesting practical revision strategies.

Charles Dickens' timeless novella, "A Christmas Carol," is not just a classic, festive tale but a profound exploration of human nature.

Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde might seem to be just another spooky Victorian tale but, underneath, it's packed with themes like identity, guilt, science and the darker side of human nature. Here's everything you'll need to confidently tackle this text in your GCSE English Literature exams.

With multiple set texts, language techniques, and exam strategies to master, GCSE English revision can feel overwhelming.

AQA GCSE English Language: Paper 1, Section B tests your ability to write creatively and can be very challenging for students.

In this post, we’ll focus on AQA GCSE English Language: Paper 2, Section B (Question 5).

Figurative language is a powerful tool that goes beyond the literal meaning of words and adds richness and depth to language.

This list of top textbooks for AQA GCSE English Language revision have all been used by myself and my students and are highly recommended.