COMPONENT 2 - GENERAL GUIDELINES

Hi all,

I'm going to be blogging for a bit today and also a lot tomorrow to get you prepared for the next exam. Although this might seem like a more complex exam, I actually don't think that you should feel as stressed about it as you did for component 1 as there are fewer variables and less stuff to remember. I am assuming you've been reading the posts I put on a few days ago. Keep reading those and revising them, and I'll take you through the component.

On the exam, you are tested on two different sections, A - Language Change over Time and B - Language in the 21st century.

However, this time, the sections are NOT EQUALLY WEIGHTED.

Timing

Here is how you should spend your time:

The exam is 2hr 15 mins long.

You should spend around 1 and a half hours on Section A - Language change (The 20 marker, and the 60 mark essay), then you should spend around 45 mins on section B (language in the 21st century essay).


I would recommend you spend around 20-25 mins on the 20 marker, and about 65 - 70 mins on the essay (including your planning time)

The 20 marker

There is guidance on CONNECT regarding how to answer the 20 marker. Mark uploaded this last week. Please go to connect and open the relevant resources, ensuring you feel comfortable with precisely what you are doing.

My initial few posts on Component 2 such as the orthographical points, change terms etc will be very important for this.

The 60 mark essay

You will be asked to compared 3 texts from a similar genre but separated over time. The question will have a specific focus and will usually ask you to identify how the genre itself or an element of the genre has changed over time. You MUST ensure that the wording of your essay is always signposted towards this question, and shows a thorough understanding of the change you have seen.

You should aim to make around 6 points per text, making small but relevant comparisons as you go. Ensure you have analysed each text fully before moving onto the next.

In total, you essay should be between 16-20 PGs long plus an intro.

I would recommend you spend around 20-25 mins on the 20 marker, and about 65 - 70 mins on the essay (including your planning time)

The '21st Century' essay

This is a reasonably basic and approachable task. You should revise and read everything I provide for you here, but you should be confident over this.

You will be presented with some 21st century data. We don't know what it will be, but the practice materials have shown SMS messages and Tweets.

Essentially, you will be asked to analyse this data by talking about how the CONTEXT of the messages is affecting language.

This really is easy, and just requires you to think carefully about things you do every day.

I will write some more specific guidance on this in the next few posts.

You will be expected to analyse the data for around 4-5 paragraphs, then spend about 2- paragraphs talking about your own experiences and what theorists' view on the subject matter are.

Read ALL posts I put on here over the next two days, and you'll be fine.

Nick