NEW GCSE Language Paper 1, Section B: Theme of Worlds Unlike Our Own

Based on the new AQA English Language specifications, this unit is designed to take you and your students through preparatory classes and skills that will allow them to be successful on Section B (description/narrative prompt) of the English Language exam, Paper 1. This resource will be best-used with a middle or top-set class, but can be easily adapted.

Using the theme of "Worlds Unlike Our Own," the classes engage with the fantasy genre and practice skills that include the following:

- developing and using genre-specific vocabulary
- creating and evaluating catchy openings
- exploring and successfully using a variety of sentences
- being able to use all aspects of a picture prompt to creatively write (while invoking the 5 senses)
- understanding how to use a variety of punctuation for effect
- practicing use of literary devices in creative tasks
- peer and self-evaluation
- evaluating creative writing, especially while using the specimen mark scheme

All of these skills lead to the finale - writing an assessment in the fashion of English Language, Paper 1: Section B.

A complete, comprehensive PowerPoint of 115 slides is included and refers to the following handouts/resources, which are also within this package (PDF and Word doc versions):

- a student-friendly mark scheme (condensed, simplified)
- sentence variety worksheet (student and teacher copy)
- stations activity cut-outs
- first sentences activity cut-outs
- extract for evaluation
- genre-specific spelling list

An introductory guide on how to use this resource is also included. Note: students should have a basis of literary devices prior to beginning this unit. While this will be worked on, they should have a basic understanding of what similes, metaphors, etc. are, and how to identify them. As well, this unit is created with a paper-saving initiative in mind, so the majority of the activities and tasks are slide-based so we can all save a few trees!