Section A
Read unseen nonfiction texts from the 19th century and either the 20th or 21st century. One text will always be drawn from the 19th century
Content
Learners read a wide range of highquality non-fiction texts drawn from the 19th and either the 20th or 21st century. This may include for example, essays, journalism (both printed and online), travel writing, speeches and biographical writing. Learners are required to read in different ways for different purposes. They read and analyse texts that are designed, for example, to persuade, inform, instruct or advise. They explore how effectively texts achieve their purposes by comparing and evaluating the usefulness, relevance and presentation of ideas and information. Learners engage with texts, developing independent viewpoints and recognising different interpretations. They develop knowledge and understanding of linguistic and literary terminology to support their analysis of texts.
Learners should be able to:
• identify and interpret key ideas and information from texts
• comment on writers’ choices of vocabulary, form and grammatical features, paying attention to detail
• explore the effects of writing for particular audiences and purposes
• summarise ideas and information from a single text and synthesise from more than one text
• draw inferences and justify points of view by referring closely to evidence from the text
• use appropriate linguistic terminology to support their analysis
• evaluate the usefulness of a text by identifying bias and misuse of evidence
• use a broad understanding of the text’s context to inform their reading. Contexts could include, for example, the given historical setting, the mode or genre
• explore connections across texts to develop their understanding of the ideas, attitudes and values presented in them.
