Question 3 is the language analysis question. You’re tested on your ability to comment on the choice of language that the writer has made and, importantly, the effects on the reader. You should comment only on the specified lines of the extract. The extract will be a piece of non-fiction from either Source A or Source B.

The assessment objective is AO2:

Explain, comment on and analyse how writers use language and structure to achieve effects and influence readers, using relevant subject terminology to support their views

You will be asked to consider how the writer uses language to capture the interest of the reader.

Only answer for the section of the text that they give you.

1. Highlight the focus of the question – this supports you to select the correct evidence. Draw a box around or highlight the lines.

2. Scan the text and highlight information that relates directly to the focus of the question – annotate your ideas.

3. Start your answer using the words of the question and give your overall idea about the question focus.

4. Go into detail, writing about the evidence in the extract in chronological order, ranging throughout the text. Use the annotations you made in Step 1 to support you. Zoom into specific word choices.

Without teachers, schools can’t do their job. Recognising the problems caused by shortages, Labour made the recruitment of 6,500 new ones a key plank of its education offer to voters in England – one funded by VAT on private school fees. Now a report from the charity Teach First, advocating flexibility and an entitlement to career breaks, attempts to flesh out what improved working conditions in English schools might look like. Given the difficulties faced by recruiters and the alarming drop-off rate – one in four new teachers last less than three years – it is imperative that ministers pay attention to such efforts and come up with a plan.

The 5.5% pay rise agreed this summer should make a difference – although not to teachers in further education colleges, who have once again been left out. But the stress associated with teaching, as well as the pay, is putting off potential entrants, according to a survey of 16- to 24-year-olds. So is the sense that school spending overall is too low. Some heads are already trying out giving staff more time to prepare lessons and the chance to work from home. One academy chain, Dixons, has introduced a nine-day fortnight. Another measure that was dropped by the last government, and ought to be revived, is the offer of paid sabbaticals – to support professional development and incentivise longer careers in teaching.

How does the writer use language to try to influence the reader? (12 marks)

The writer uses language in order to influence the reader to feel sympathy for teachers by commenting on the difficult working environment that teachers face.

Firstly, the writer influences the reader through the use of pathos. The extract opens with an emotive statement: 'Without teachers, schools can't do their job'. By presenting a reality where there are no teachers, the writers helps the reader to imagine the negative effect this would have on students. By showing how vital teachers are, the writer creates a sense of sympathy as they show how difficult schools would be if not for teachers. As the extract continues, the writer again uses examples of pathos. We see 'the difficulties faced by recruiters' and the use of the word 'alarming' to highlight just how under pressure the school system is. This is lastly solidified by the line: 'it is imperative that ministers pay attention' which creates a sense that this is an urgent problem that must be dealt with. This urgency is what leads to that feeling sympathy in the reader's mind.
As the extract continues, the writer builds a sense of credibility and trustworthiness through ethos, which further builds sympathy. They start off by referencing the role of the 'Labour' government, which builds that sense of trust as they have the power to affect change. This makes it sound more realistic as this is a reputable source. Later on in the extract, we see 'a report from the charity Teach First'. The referencing of a charitable organisation shows expertise - the reader will continue to feel that sense of sympathy but they will also feel that they can rely on an impartial organisation to help this change occur. The 'teachers' themselves are presented as being vitally important to improving students lives and so therefore we trust them to improve working conditions. Overall, this influences us to trust the writer and therefore be more likely to agree with this sympathetic argument.

Lastly, it is through the use of logos that sympathy is most perfectly achieved. The writer uses repeated examples of statistics in order to drive home the message that teaching is in crisis. For example, we learn that 'one in four new teachers last less than three years'. We also learn that this is despite the '5.5% pay rise' showing that it's not only about money, but rather about working conditions. This would build sympathy as it would show teachers to be driven not by financial gain but by bettering the lives of young people. It is a clear example of their passion, a desire to educate. This use of logos builds sympathy.

How To Approach Paper 2 Question 3

Model Answer -  Paper 2 Question 3