Paper 2 Section A: Non-Fiction Reading
Paper 2 Section A: Non-Fiction Reading
AQA English Language Paper 2 is called Writers' Viewpoints and Perspectives. Section A gives you two linked non-fiction texts — one from the 19th century and one from the 20th or 21st century — and four questions worth 40 marks. You have roughly 1 hour for this section.
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The Source Texts
- Source A: A modern non-fiction text (newspaper article, blog, speech, travel writing, autobiography)
- Source B: A 19th-century non-fiction text (letter, diary, newspaper, speech, essay)
- Both texts share a common theme (e.g. childhood, travel, education, poverty)
Read both texts carefully before answering any questions. Annotate as you read — underline key phrases, note the writer's attitude, and look for techniques.
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Question 1 (4 marks) — True or False
What it asks: Choose four true statements from a list of eight about one of the sources.
Approach
1. Read the relevant source carefully
2. Go through each statement and check it against the text
3. Shade the four true statements on the answer paper
4. Be careful with statements that are nearly true but contain one wrong detail
Spend no more than 5 minutes. This is the easiest question — get full marks here.
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Question 2 (8 marks) — Summary and Synthesis
What it asks: Use details from both sources to write a summary of the differences (or similarities) between two things.
Approach
1. Identify what you are comparing (e.g. the writers' experiences of school life)
2. Find 3–4 points of comparison
3. For each point, use evidence from both sources
4. Use inference — read between the lines, don't just repeat what it says
Structure
Use a comparative paragraph structure:
"In Source A, we learn that [point + evidence]. By contrast, Source B suggests that [point + evidence]. This shows that while Source A presents [interpretation], Source B conveys [interpretation]."
Key Words for Comparison
- Similarly / likewise / in the same way
- In contrast / on the other hand / whereas / however / conversely
- Both writers suggest / while Source A..., Source B...
Common Mistakes
- Only writing about one source — you must cover both
- Analysing language in detail — Q2 is about what the texts say, not how they say it
- Not using evidence — always include short embedded quotes or references
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Question 3 (12 marks) — Language Analysis
What it asks: How does the writer use language in one source? Refers to a specific section.
This is the same skill as Paper 1 Question 2 but applied to non-fiction.
Approach — The "What, How, Why" Method
For each point:
1. Identify a relevant quote
2. Name the technique or language feature
3. Explain the effect on the reader
Non-Fiction Language Features
| Feature | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Emotive language | Words chosen to provoke an emotional response |
| Rhetorical questions | Questions designed to make the reader think, not expecting an answer |
| Statistics/facts | Specific data used to add authority and credibility |
| Anecdotes | Personal stories used to engage and persuade |
| Direct address | "You" — draws the reader in personally |
| Hyperbole | Exaggeration for emphasis |
| Listing / tricolon | Three items for rhythmic emphasis ("blood, sweat, and tears") |
| Imperative verbs | Commands — "Consider this", "Imagine" |
| Tone | Formal, informal, sarcastic, passionate, measured |
For 19th-Century Texts
Also look for:
- Complex sentence structures — longer, subordinate clauses
- Formal register — elevated vocabulary
- Archaic language — words no longer commonly used
- Elaborate imagery — extended metaphors, classical allusions
Model Paragraph
"The writer uses the emotive phrase 'abandoned to their fate' to describe the children's situation. The verb 'abandoned' carries connotations of neglect and cruelty, suggesting the children have been deliberately left without care or protection. The prepositional phrase 'to their fate' implies inevitability and hopelessness, as though their suffering is predetermined. This language is designed to provoke outrage in the reader and build support for the writer's argument that reform is urgently needed."
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Question 4 (16 marks) — Comparison of Writers' Viewpoints
What it asks: Compare how the two writers convey their different perspectives on a topic. You must refer to both sources.
Approach
1. Identify each writer's viewpoint — what do they think about the topic? Are they positive, negative, critical, nostalgic, outraged?
2. Find 4–5 points of comparison
3. For each point, analyse how the writer conveys their perspective (language techniques, tone, structure)
4. Use comparative connectives to link the two sources
Paragraph Structure (Comparative)
1. State what Writer A thinks about the topic
2. Select a quote from Source A
3. Analyse the technique and its effect
4. Compare — state what Writer B thinks
5. Select a quote from Source B
6. Analyse the technique and its effect
7. Evaluate — how are the perspectives similar or different?
Planning Your Response
| Point | Source A viewpoint + evidence | Source B viewpoint + evidence | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Positive — "a paradise" (metaphor) | Negative — "a prison" (metaphor) | Directly opposing views |
| 2 | ... | ... | ... |
Key Phrases for Comparison
- "While Source A adopts a [tone] to convey..."
- "Source B, by contrast, uses [technique] to suggest..."
- "Both writers share the view that..., although they express it differently"
- "Where Source A is [emotional/personal], Source B takes a more [factual/detached] approach"
Marks Breakdown
- Level 1 (1–4): Simple comparison, limited references
- Level 2 (5–8): Attempts comparison with some relevant references
- Level 3 (9–12): Clear comparison with appropriate analysis of methods
- Level 4 (13–16): Detailed, perceptive comparison with sophisticated analysis
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Time Management for Section A
| Question | Marks | Suggested Time |
|---|---|---|
| Reading both sources | — | 10–12 minutes |
| Q1 | 4 | 5 minutes |
| Q2 | 8 | 10 minutes |
| Q3 | 12 | 12 minutes |
| Q4 | 16 | 20 minutes |
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Exam Tips
- Read both sources thoroughly before starting — underline and annotate as you go
- Q1 is straightforward — do not overthink it or spend too long
- Q2 is about content (what is said), not language (how it is said) — save analysis for Q3 and Q4
- For Q3, name techniques and explain their effect — don't just feature-spot
- Q4 is worth the most — ensure you cover both sources equally and compare them (don't write two separate analyses)
- For 19th-century texts, don't panic — the ideas are usually familiar even if the language is more formal