Assessment overview

Students must complete components 01 and 02, and then either 03 or 04, to be awarded the OCR GCSE (9-1) in English Language.

* Indicates the inclusion of synoptic assessment.

Content overview

Component 01: Communicating information and ideas

Focuses on reading and writing non-fiction texts. Students will:

• Read and compare two unseen non-fiction texts, one 19^th century, and one 20^th or 21^st century
• Produce one piece of original non-fiction

The unseen texts could include essays, journalism, travel writing, speeches, biographical writing etc. Students are required to analyse the language and structure of the texts then compare and evaluate them in response to a statement given in the exam.

The original piece of writing that they produce will be for a particular audience and purpose.

Component 02: Exploring effects and impact

Focuses on reading literary prose texts and creative writing. Students will:

• Read and compare two unseen prose texts, one of which may be literary non-fiction. Both texts will be 20^th or 21^st century.
• Produce one piece of original creative writing

The unseen texts could include prose fiction, literary non-fiction e.g. biographical writing etc. Students are required to analyse the language and structure of the texts and compare and evaluate them in response to a statement given in the exam.

The original piece of writing that they produce will be a piece of creative writing.

Component 03 or 04: Spoken language

Students deliver a presentation on an agreed topic; the presentation may be a talk, debate, speech or dialogue. They then listen and respond appropriately to questions and feedback.