📚 Edexcel GCSE English Language: Skills You Actually Need (With 2025 Papers Included!)

Let’s be honest—English Language can feel like a bit of a mystery. No dates to memorise, no key events or formulas… just a lot of writing. But with the right strategies and plenty of practice, it’s 100% possible to go from confused to confident (and maybe even hit that elusive Grade 9! ✨).

Whether you’re sitting Paper 1 or Paper 2, Edexcel GCSE English Language is all about skills—reading closely, analysing language and structure, evaluating texts, and crafting clear, thoughtful writing under timed conditions.

✍️ What Do You Actually Need to Do?

Both papers test a mixture of reading and writing skills:

📄 Paper 1: Fiction and Imaginative Writing

• Section A: Read a fiction extract and answer questions that test your ability to interpret language, structure, and evaluate a writer's methods.

• ✨ Here’s the specifics: 
  Spend around 10 minutes reading the extract carefully. Highlight key language, structure, and moments linked to emotion or tension. You might even look at the questions before reading just so you know what to be looking out for!

  Question 1⏰ Time: 2 minutes | 1 mark

  You’ll be asked to look at specific lines and identify a word or phrase that shows something.

  Tips:
  Use only the specified lines.
  Copy exactly—don’t paraphrase.
  No explanation is needed—just accurate selection.

  Question 2 ⏰ Time: 3–4 minutes | 2 marks

  You’ll be asked to provide two things that show something.

  Tips:
  Stick to the given extract.
  Just two brief pieces of evidence—words or phrases.
  No analysis required.

  Question 3 -⏰ Time: 10–12 minutes | 6 marks

  You’ll be expected to analyse the writer’s use of language and structure and how this has been used to present something.

  Tips:
  Focus only on the given lines.
  Cover language (e.g. verbs, adjectives, similes) AND structure (e.g. shift in focus, paragraphing, repetition).
  Make 2–3 clear points, each with short quotes and effect explained.
  Think about how the writer creates mood or meaning.

  Question 4 ⏰ Time: 30–32 minutes | 15 marks

  You’ll be asked how successfully the writer achieves a specific effect.

  Tips:
  Directly respond to the idea in the question (e.g. "creating tension").
  Support your view with detailed reference to both language and structure.
  Show your opinion—how well does it work?
  Aim for 3-4 well-developed paragraphs with embedded quotes.
  Always think: “This is effective because…”, “This draws the reader in by…”

• Section B: Write your own descriptive or narrative piece.

  Specifically, your writing can gain up to 40 marks here, so it’s a big one!  You have a choice of TWO questions.

  ⏰ Time: 45 minutes total | Planning: 5 minutes
  Writing: 35 minutes
  Proofreading: 5 minutes

  Tips:
  Choose the task that plays to your strengths.
  Plan your structure (story arc or paragraph focus).
  Use figurative language, strong vocabulary, and varied sentence structures.
  Think about tone, atmosphere, and character perspective.
  Paragraph clearly; use short paragraphs for impact.
  Revise some versatile vocabulary – stuff that can be applied to lots of scenarios!
  Check for SPaG errors—16 marks are awarded for the clarity of your work!

📰 Paper 2: Non-fiction and Transactional Writing

• Section A: Compare two non-fiction texts, analysing language and tone, and evaluating ideas and perspectives.

  📑  Questions 1 to 3 are on Text A! 
  Question 1:⏰ Time: 2 minutes | 2 marks

  Task: Refer to set lines to identify two things on a particular topic.

  Tips:
  Look only at the lines given.
  Lift two words or short phrases directly from the text.
  No need to explain—just accurate identification.

  Question 2:⏰ Time: 2 minutes | 2 marks

  Task: Look at a specific part of the text and give two things that show...

  Tips:
  Follow the line references or extract given.
  Choose two relevant details—short and to the point.
  Don't analyse—this is purely retrieval.

  Question 3:⏰ Time: 20 minutes | 15 marks

  Task: Analyse how the writer uses language and structure to interest and engage the reader.

  Tips:
  Focus on specific techniques—metaphor, emotive language, contrast, repetition, shifts in tone, sentence types.
  Cover both language AND structure (e.g. changes in focus, paragraphing, openings/closings).
  Make 3–4 developed points with evidence and detailed analysis.
  Comment on reader effect and purpose.

  📑 Questions 4-6 are on Text B

  Question 4:⏰ Time: 2 minutes | 1 mark

  Task: Identify a specific feature

  Question 5 ⏰ Time: 2 minutes | 1 mark

  Task: Identify another thing based on a given extract or line range.

  Tips for Questions 4 and 5:
  Stick to the text and lines provided.
  Write a clear point—don’t analyse!

  Question 6:⏰ Time: 20 minutes | 15 marks

  Task: Evaluate how successfully the writer achieves a certain effect.

  Tips:
  Make a clear judgement (e.g. The writer successfully creates tension...).
  Use language and structure evidence to back up your views.
  Discuss the impact on the reader and the writer’s intention.
  Aim for 4 well-developed points.

  📑 Questions 7a and 7b are on BOTH texts!

  Question 7a:⏰ Time: 8–10 minutes | 6 marks

  Task: What similarities do the two texts show about a particular theme?

  Tips:
  Focus on clear, specific similarities in content or ideas.
  Use brief quotes or references from both texts.
  No analysis of methods needed—just compare what is said.
  Make 2–3 short comparison points.

  Question 7b:⏰ Time: 15–17 minutes | 14 marks

  Task: Compare how the writers present ideas and perspectives.

  Tips:
  Focus on viewpoints, tone, and attitudes.
  Analyse methods (language/structure) and how they reveal perspective.
  Use comparative phrases: Both writers, Whereas writer A…, However…
  Aim for 3–4 strong comparison paragraphs, using quotes and analysis.

• Section B: Write a piece of transactional writing—like a letter, speech, or article—responding to a given topic.

  Specifically, your writing can gain up to 40 marks here, so it’s a big one! You have a choice of TWO questions. You need to choose ONE question (typically the choice between writing a letter, article, speech, report, etc.)

  ⏰ Time: 45 minutes total | Planning: 5 minutes

  Writing: 35 minutes
  Proofreading: 5 minutes

  Writing Task – Non-fiction Format

  Tips:
  Choose the question that suits your style and opinions.
  Use the correct form (e.g. greeting in a letter, rhetorical questions in a speech).
  Adapt your tone and language for audience and purpose (formal/informal).
  Include clear structure: introduction, main points, conclusion.
  Use persuasive devices: rhetorical questions, repetition, facts, opinions, emotive language.
  Focus on accuracy and control—16 marks are for spelling, punctuation, grammar.

Sounds like a lot? Don’t panic—we’ve broken it all down for you.

📂 2025 Predicted Papers + Walkthroughs Included!

We’ve created brand new 2025 predicted papers for Edexcel English Language exams 🎉

Here’s what’s included:

✅ Exam-style questions that reflect the structure and style of the real paper
✅ Video walkthroughs for each question, showing you how to plan, structure, and write your answers
✅ Mark schemes so you can see exactly what the examiners are looking for
✅ Grade 9 sample answers so you can see what excellence looks like and aim for it confidently

We go through each section, step by step, showing you how to build an answer, what to include, and how to manage your time like a pro ⏱️💪

🎓 Why Practice Makes Progress

You can’t revise for English in the same way as Science or Maths—but you can train your brain to think and write like a top-grade student. Our resources are designed to help you build the habits and confidence you need to walk into that exam hall ready to smash it.

So if you're looking for clarity, structure, and that all-important boost in confidence, grab your free papers and join our walkthroughs today.

👉 Click here to download your 2025 Edexcel English Language predicted papers and walkthroughs

You’ve got this. And we’ve got you. 💚