AQA GCSE English Language key terms

The assessment objective rewarding effective, imaginative communication suited to the task, purpose and audience, together with coherent organisation.

The assessment objective rewarding accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar, alongside vocabulary and sentence structures used for clarity and effect.

A skill assessed in an examination. AQA uses numbered assessment objectives, such as AO1 for understanding and interpreting texts.

The feeling created by a setting and its presentation, such as unease, excitement or calm.

The feeling or judgement expressed towards a subject, such as admiration, resentment or concern.

The people a text is intended to address, whose interests and concerns influence the writer’s choices.

A preference or prejudice that influences how information is selected or presented.

The creation of a character through description, actions, speech, thoughts and relationships.

A group of words containing a verb; a main clause can stand as a complete sentence.

The logical organisation of ideas so that a piece of writing makes sense as a whole.

The links between sentences and paragraphs, created through vocabulary, references and connecting expressions.

A punctuation mark that introduces an explanation, expansion, list or quotation.

An error in which two main clauses are joined by a comma alone.

A sentence containing a main clause and at least one subordinate clause.

A sentence containing two or more main clauses joined together.

Acknowledging that an opposing argument has some merit without necessarily accepting its conclusion.

A word that connects words, phrases or clauses, such as ‘and’, ‘but’ or ‘because’.

An association or suggestion carried by a word beyond its literal meaning.

A reason someone might give for opposing the writer’s position.

An opposing argument that a writer considers and responds to while developing their own position.

An arrangement in which the final part returns to an image, idea or situation introduced at the beginning, often with a changed meaning.

A sentence that makes a statement.

The literal meaning of a word or phrase.

Writing that develops a reader’s impression of a person, place or moment through carefully selected details.

A variety of language associated with a region or social group, which may have distinctive grammar and vocabulary as well as pronunciation.

Speech between characters, which can reveal their attitudes, feelings and relationships.

Speaking or writing directly to the audience, often using ‘you’ or naming the people being addressed.