Eduqas GCSE English Language key terms

The deliberate contrast of opposing ideas, often expressed through similar grammatical structures.

The assessment objective concerned with explaining and analysing how language and structure create effects and influence readers, using relevant terminology.

The assessment objective rewarding effective communication, adaptation to form, purpose and audience, and organisation of ideas. It carries 12 marks in each Component 2 writing task.

The assessment objective rewarding vocabulary and sentence structures used for clarity and effect, together with accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar. It carries 8 marks in each Component 2 writing task.

A piece of writing intended for publication in a newspaper, magazine or online publication, shaped to interest its readers and fulfil a particular purpose.

A statement presented without supporting reasons or evidence.

The mood created by a text’s details and language, which influences how readers experience events.

The people a piece of writing is intended to reach; their interests, knowledge and relationship with the writer affect its content and language.

An examiner’s judgement of which marking band most closely describes the overall quality of a response, followed by the appropriate mark within that band.

A tendency to favour a particular viewpoint, which can influence the selection and presentation of information.

A specific request for the audience to do something in response to a speech or other persuasive text.

The way a writer creates and develops a character through details such as behaviour, thoughts, appearance and speech.

A group of words containing a verb; a main clause can stand alone as a complete sentence, while a subordinate clause depends on a main clause.

The logical organisation of a text that allows a reader to understand its ideas or events as a whole.

A consistent position developed through an answer, with each point contributing to the overall judgement.

The connections between parts of a text, created through features such as linking phrases, pronouns and repeated key words.

A punctuation mark (:) that introduces an explanation, example, list or reveal.

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

An explanation of relevant similarities and differences between texts, supported by evidence.

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

A sentence containing two or more main clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction such as ‘and’, ‘but’ or ‘so’.

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 shortened form in which an apostrophe marks omitted letters, such as ‘couldn’t’ for ‘could not’.

A difference between characters, details or situations that makes their distinctive qualities clearer.

An opposing argument that a writer considers and may answer.

A reasoned judgement about a text and its effects, supported by evidence and an explanation of how the writer creates those effects.