
In this post, we’ll focus on how to tackle Questions 3 and 4 of AQA GCSE English Language: Paper 1, Section A.
What is AQA GCSE English Language: Paper 1?
AQA GCSE English Language, Paper 1 will ask you to explore how a writer uses language to craft captivating stories and bring characters, settings and events to life.
You’ll analyse a single piece of prose fiction and explain how writers use language techniques and structure to evoke emotion and meaning. In Section B, you'll step into the writer's shoes and create your own narrative or descriptive masterpiece.
This guide will focus on Section A, Questions 3 & 4 but I've also written blog posts on the other questions in both Paper 1 and Paper 2 which can be found here.
Assessment Objectives for AQA English Language, Paper 1
In Section A, you'll respond to four questions based on a fiction extract and your answers will be evaluated according to the following Assessment Objectives (AOs):
AO2: Analyse the writer’s use of language and structure. (Question 3)
AO4: Evaluate texts critically and support this with evidence. (Question 4)
Answering the Questions
Question 3
How has the writer structured the text to interest the reader?
This question will evaluate your ability to meet AO2: Analyse the writer's use of language and structure and is worth 8 marks.
What Do You Have to Do?
Question 3 focuses on structure - how the writer has organised the text to engage, guide or influence the reader. You will need to consider how and why the writer engages the reader's attention, creates tension, shifts the focus etc and has chosen a particular order of events.
When analysing structure, think about:
Opening: How does the writer draw the reader into the text? Is it descriptive, action-packed or mysterious?
Shifts in Focus: Does the text move between characters, settings or ideas? How do these changes affect the reader’s understanding or engagement?
Pace: Are there slow, detailed descriptions or fast-paced moments of action? How does this create tension or excitement?
Paragraph Length: Are the paragraphs long and detailed or short and punchy? What's the effect?
Ending: How does the writer leave the reader feeling? Is everything resolved or left on a cliff-hanger?
How to Approach Question 3
Read the question carefully and make sure you understand what you are being asked and which lines of the text you need to analyse.
Highlight any structural features, such as changes in focus, repetition, contrasts or key moments.
How does the writer guide the reader through the text?
How to Structure Your Answer to Question 3

Start with a clear point
"The writer begins the extract with a vivid description of the setting to create a sense of unease."
Use evidence
Refer to specific parts of the text to support your points.
Explain the effect
Think about how and why the writer might have structured the text in this way.
Cover the whole extract
Aim to comment on the beginning, middle and end to show your understanding of the text as a whole.
Sentence Starters
"The writer opens the text by…"
"As the extract progresses, the focus shifts to…"
"The use of short paragraphs during the climax creates…"
"By ending the extract with…, the writer leaves the reader feeling…"

Top Tips
A good starting point is to look at the beginning, middle and end of the extract and try to pinpoint what aspects the writer is emphasising for the reader’s attention.
Some things to look out for include:
Change in Time or Place: Does the writer switch between different settings or times? What is the effect of this? For example, does it build tension, create suspense or spark the reader's curiosity etc?
Shifts in Focus: Look at different parts of the text and ask yourself "what is the writer drawing the reader's attention to?" Do they start with a wide perspective before zooming in on small details? Do they shift from a character's thoughts to their actions?
Paragraph and Sentence Structure: Do the paragraphs or sentences change in length to build pace or create emphasis? For example, short sentences might create a sense of urgency and longer, more detailed sentences could slow the pace and encourage reflection.
Narrative Perspective: Does the writer use first, second or third person? Does the perspective remain consistent or does it shift to a different viewpoint? How does this affect our understanding of the characters or events?
Practice Makes Perfect: The more you practise analysing structure, the easier it will become to spot techniques and explain their effects so try using past papers and breaking down extracts step by step.

Question 4
To what extent do you agree with…
This question is worth 20 marks and will assess you for AO4: Evaluate texts critically and support this with evidence.
What Do You Have to Do?
You will be given a statement about the text - often an opinion about a character or theme - and Question 4 will ask you to evaluate this statement. To achieve the highest marks, you will need to critically assess the statement, provide your own opinion on how far you agree or disagree and support your argument with relevant evidence from the text.
T
he key thing to remember is that you need to evaluate the text, not just summarise it, so you must consider multiple aspects of the text and find relevant evidence to support your points.
How to Approach Question 4
Begin by carefully reading the statement provided in the question. Underline or highlight the key words and consider what opinion or perspective is being expressed. You’re being asked to evaluate how far you agree with this viewpoint, so think about the evidence from the text that supports or challenges it.
Spend a few minutes planning your answer and decide whether you agree with the statement entirely, partially or not at all. You don't have to strongly agree or disagree with the statement so if you find that some parts of the text support the stated opinion but others challenge it, that’s fine.
However, even if you do strongly agree or disagree with the statement, you should still consider both sides of the argument and discuss evidence from the text that supports the statement as well as challenges it.
Underline or highlight 3 - 4 key pieces of evidence from the text that support your evaluation.
Note any literary or structural techniques used by the writer that contribute to the effect.
Consider the impact of these techniques on the reader and how they align with the statement.
Your concluding paragraph should summarise your key points and clearly state your final opinion.
How to Structure Your Answer to Question 4
When approaching Question 4 on the AQA GCSE English Language Paper 1, it’s essential to stay focused on the question and structure your response clearly. This is a 20-mark question, so your answer should be detailed and balanced, demonstrating your ability to evaluate the text critically.
Write a Brief Introduction
Clearly state whether you agree, partly agree or disagree with the statement and briefly summarise the aspects of the text you will evaluate.
For example:
“Overall, I agree with the statement that the writer creates a sense of tension and unease throughout this section. Through the use of vivid imagery, suspenseful sentence structures, and the depiction of the protagonist’s internal conflict, the writer successfully immerses the reader in this character's experience.”
Structure Your Paragraphs
Aim to write 3 or 4 well-developed paragraphs, each addressing a different aspect of the statement and use the PETER structure to organise your ideas.
Point: Make a clear point that links back to the statement.
Evidence: Provide a short, relevant quotation from the text to support your point.
Technique: Identify the literary or structural technique used in the evidence.
Effect: Explain how this technique creates meaning or impacts the reader.
Reader: Link back to the statement to show how this supports your evaluation.
For example:
The metaphor “the shadows danced menacingly” vividly conveys the sinister atmosphere of the scene. By describing the shadows as “dancing,” the writer personifies them, making the environment feel alive and threatening . This heightens the reader’s sense of unease and supports the idea that the writer creates tension.
Balance Your Evaluation
Remember that the focus of this question is evaluation so you should aim for a balanced discussion by considering multiple perspectives. If there are moments in the text that don’t fully align with the statement, acknowledge them.
For example:
“Although the writer uses ominous imagery to create a sense of unease, there are moments of calm, such as the description of the protagonist’s steady breathing, which offer a brief reprieve from the tension.”
Write a Conclusion
End with a concise conclusion summarising your overall evaluation. Restate your opinion and emphasise the key evidence that supports it.
For example:
“In conclusion, the writer skilfully creates a sense of tension through vivid imagery, suspenseful sentence structures and the protagonist’s inner turmoil. These elements work together to draw the reader into the scene and evoke a feeling of unease.”

Top Tips
Use a range of quotations from the text to support your points and make sure you explain how each piece of evidence strengthens your argument.
To help you to evaluate the text rather than just describe it, use evaluative language, such as “perhaps,” “suggests,” “implies,” “on the other hand,” “this could indicate,” and “this creates the impression."
Throughout your answer, refer back to the statement in the question. Use phrases like “this supports the idea that…,” “this challenges the notion that…,” or “this shows that….” to ensure that your comments are relevant to the question.
Additional Help

If you found this guide helpful, you might like my other blog posts:
AQA GCSE English Language: Paper 1
Section A: Questions 1 & 2
Section B: Question 5
AQA GCSE English Language: Paper 2

AQA GCSE English Literature
For more support, why not take a look at my downloadable and printable revision guides? Tailored specifically to AQA GCSE English Language, these guides offer detailed strategies, model answers and handy tips for both Paper 1 and Paper 2 and are perfect for independent study...or last-minute revision!

EHS Masterclass Revision Guides

Save money with the EHS Masterclass Revision Bundle and buy BOTH guides to AQA GCSE English Language: Paper 1 and AQA English Language: Paper 2.

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