Introduction to Paper 2 Section B

Paper 2 Section B of AQA GCSE English Language asks you to produce a piece of transactional writing — writing that presents a viewpoint. This section is worth 40 marks (24 for content and organisation, 16 for technical accuracy) and should take approximately 45 minutes. Unlike Paper 1's creative writing, Paper 2 requires you to write in a specific form (article, speech, letter, essay, leaflet, or report) and to present a clear, persuasive argument or viewpoint.

What Is Paper 2 Section B?

Paper 2 is called Writers' Viewpoints and Perspectives. Section A tests your reading skills on two non-fiction extracts; Section B tests your ability to write to present a viewpoint.

Aspect	Detail
Paper	Paper 2: Writers' Viewpoints and Perspectives
Section	Section B: Writing
Time allowed	45 minutes (out of 1 hour 45 minutes total)
Marks	40 marks (half of Paper 2)
Question format	One question specifying a form, audience, and purpose
Task type	Article, speech, letter, essay, leaflet, or report presenting a viewpoint

You will be given one task (no choice) that specifies:

Form: What type of text to write (article, speech, letter, etc.)
Audience: Who you are writing for (a newspaper readership, a headteacher, young people, etc.)
Purpose: What you are trying to achieve (argue, persuade, advise, inform)

Exam Tip: Read the question very carefully. Identify the form, audience, and purpose before you start planning. Writing a brilliant article when the question asked for a letter will lose you marks for content and organisation.

The Mark Scheme: What Examiners Look For

The mark scheme mirrors Paper 1 and is divided into two Assessment Objectives:

AO5: Content and Organisation (24 marks)

Level	Description	Marks
Level 4	Compelling, convincing communication; extensive, ambitious vocabulary; sustained, coherent structure; varied, inventive use of structural features; writing is compelling and matched to purpose, form, and audience	19–24
Level 3	Clear, effective communication; increasingly sophisticated vocabulary; coherent structure; effective use of structural features for purpose, form, and audience	13–18
Level 2	Some successful communication; conscious use of vocabulary; some structural features; mostly connected ideas	7–12
Level 1	Simple, limited communication; simple vocabulary; limited structural features	1–6

AO6: Technical Accuracy (16 marks)

Level	Description	Marks
Level 4	Consistent, secure control of sentence demarcation; wide range of punctuation; extensive vocabulary; consistently accurate spelling; varied sentence forms for effect	13–16
Level 3	Mostly secure sentence demarcation; range of punctuation, mostly accurate; varied vocabulary; mostly accurate spelling	9–12
Level 2	Some control of sentence demarcation; some punctuation; some variety of vocabulary; some accurate spelling	5–8
Level 1	Occasional sentence demarcation; limited punctuation; simple vocabulary; limited spelling accuracy	1–4

Form, Audience, and Purpose (FAP)

Understanding FAP is essential for transactional writing.

Form

The type of text you must produce. Each form has its own conventions:

Form	Key Features
Article	Headline, optional subheading, engaging opening, paragraphs, sometimes a byline
Speech	Direct address to the audience, rhetorical techniques, clear introduction and conclusion
Letter	Address, date, salutation (Dear...), formal/informal register, sign-off
Essay	Introduction, structured argument with paragraphs, conclusion
Leaflet	Headings, subheadings, bullet points, short paragraphs, accessible language
Report	Title, headings, formal tone, objective language (or persuasive, depending on task)

Audience

Who you are writing for determines your register (formal or informal) and tone.

Audience	Register
A newspaper editor	Formal, professional
Your headteacher	Formal, respectful
Young people / peers	Can be slightly informal, relatable
A local council	Formal, factual
A general readership	Semi-formal, accessible

Purpose

What you are trying to achieve:

Purpose	What You Do
Argue	Present a case with evidence and reasoning, considering counterarguments
Persuade	Convince the reader to agree with your viewpoint using emotional and logical techniques
Advise	Offer guidance and recommendations, often using a supportive tone
Inform	Provide clear, factual information, often in an objective tone

Exam Tip: Most Paper 2 Section B tasks combine two or more purposes. For example, you might be asked to write an article that argues and persuades. Always identify all the purposes in the question.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake	Why It Loses Marks	What to Do Instead
Ignoring the form	An article without a headline or a letter without a salutation misses form conventions	Learn the conventions of each form and apply them
Wrong register	Using slang in a formal letter or being overly formal in a speech to peers	Match your language to your audience
No clear viewpoint	Sitting on the fence without committing to a position	Take a clear stance and sustain it throughout
All emotion, no evidence	Making dramatic claims without supporting them	Use facts, statistics, examples, and anecdotes
Ignoring the counterargument	Only presenting one side	Address and rebut the opposing view to strengthen your argument
Poor structure	Writing one long paragraph with no organisation	Use clear paragraphs, each with a distinct point

How to Approach the Question

Read the question carefully. Underline the form, audience, and purpose.
Plan for 5 minutes. Decide your viewpoint. List 4–5 key points. Note which persuasive techniques to use.
Write for 35 minutes. Apply form conventions. Write in clear paragraphs. Use a range of persuasive techniques.
Proofread for 5 minutes. Check spelling, punctuation, grammar, and that you have followed the correct form.

Summary

Paper 2 Section B asks you to write to present a viewpoint: articles, speeches, letters, essays, leaflets, or reports.
The question is worth 40 marks (24 for content and organisation, 16 for technical accuracy).
Always identify the form, audience, and purpose before you start.
Match your register to your audience and your techniques to your purpose.
Take a clear viewpoint and sustain it throughout.
Use form conventions (headline, salutation, direct address, etc.) to show the examiner you understand the task.
Plan, write, proofread — always leave 5 minutes at each end.