Assessment Objectives (AOs)

List and Identify

- description: indentify and interpret explicit and implicit information and ideas.

- key phrases: 'identify', 'list' and 'select'.

- question: usually questions 1 & 3 (3 marks each).

Synthesis

- description: select and synthesise evidence from different texts.

- key phrases: 'summarise' and 'synthesise'.

- question: usually question 4.

- skills: synthesis with clear understanding and provide an overview drawn from a range of relevant detail from both texts.

component 2a - non-fiction reading

Analysis

- description: explain, comment on and analyse how writers use language and structure to achieve effects and influence readers, using relevant subject terminology to support views.

- key phrases: 'explain', 'how does the writer...?', 'analyse' and 'what impressions...?'.

- questions: usually question 2.

- skills: make accurate and perceptive comments about how a wide range of different examples from the text's arguents persuade and provide detailed analysis of how language and structure are used to achieve effects and influence the reader. Subtleties of the writer's technique are explored in relation to how the reader is influenced. Well-considered, accurate use of subject terminology supports comments effectively.  

component 2a - non-fiction reading

Comparison

- description: compare writers' ideas and perspectives, as well as how these are conveyed over two or more texts.

- key phrases: 'compare' and 'identify similarities and differences'.

- questions: usually question 6.

- skills: make comparisons that are sustained and detailed , showing clear understanding of how they are conveyed.

component 2a- non-fiction reading

Evaluation

- description: evaluate texts critically and support this with appropriate textual references.

- key phrases: 'to what extent do you agree?', 'evaluate', 'how effective is?' and 'what do you think and feel'.

- question: usually question 4.

- skills: give a persuasive evaluation of the text and its effects, supported by convincing, well-selected examples and purposeful textual reference. Responses will show engagement and involvement, where candidates take an overview to make accurate and perceptive comments on the writer's views.  

component 2a - non-fiction reading

Communication and Organisation

- marks: 12

- skills: sophisticated understanding of purpose and format of task, sustained awareness of reader/intented audience, register is appropriate and adapted to purpose/audience, content is ambitious, pertinent and sophisticated, ideas are convincingly developed and supported by a range of relevant details, sophistication in the shape/structure of the writing and communication has ambition and sophistication.

component 2b - non-fiction writing

Vocabulary, Sentence Structure, Spelling and Punctuation

- marks: 8

- skills: appropriate and effective variation of sentence structures, virtually all sentence construction is controlled and accurate, a range of punctuation is used confidently and accurately, virtually all spelling - including that of complex irregular words - is correct, control of tense and agreement is totally secure and a wide range of appropriate, ambitious vocabulary is used to create effect or convey precise meaning.

component 2b - non-fiction writing