Shorter writing and reflective commentary — AS & A Level English Language (9093) questions by topic
Shorter writing and reflective commentary questions pair a short piece, such as a speech encouraging volunteering or a first blog entry about learning a new skill, with your own commentary on the linguistic choices you made. Explain, discuss, express, describe and suggest cover both halves: producing the piece to a set word limit and then analysing its features in relation to audience and purpose, all within a single 25-mark task.
16 questions from 2023 to 2025 sit on this page. Because the commentary half is marked on linking named features to their effect rather than just spotting them, drafting both halves and submitting them for instant marking shows whether the reflective section has explained why a feature was used, not simply identified that it appears in the piece.
What examiners look for
- A recurring criticism is lengthy preambles, such as conversations with parents or teachers, before the writing actually addresses the set task.
- Examiners repeatedly note commentary limited to simple identification of linguistic features, without linking those features to their effects or to audience, meaning and purpose.
- Reports flag responses implying rather than explicitly stating advantages, or overlooking a key detail in the brief, such as a location being 'remote'.
- Strong answers, according to the reports, opened blog entries with direct address to readers, such as 'Dear readers' or 'Hey fellow travellers', showing immediate engagement with the form.
- Examiners praise commentary that identified features using correct linguistic terminology, then exemplified how and why they were used to relate to the audience and achieve the intended purpose.
May–June 2025, Paper 21
You recently read a newspaper article which said that the world would be a better place without mobile phones. You decide to write an email to the editor, in response to this…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 22
You are going to take part in a debate at school about whether it is better to have one job for life, or to change careers one or more times. Your headteacher has asked you to…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 23
You have just started learning a new skill. You have always wanted to learn this skill, but you never thought you would be able to. You decide to write a blog about your…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 21
Your teacher has asked you to write the opening of a story called The Message, about finding a piece of paper on your doorstep with a handwritten message on it. Write the text for…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 22
You recently read a newspaper article which said that people are only interested in news stories about their country. You decide to write an email to the editor, in response to…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 23
You are going to take part in a debate at school about whether a student going to university should choose a subject that they enjoy, or a subject that will lead to a good job.…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 21
You recently read a newspaper article which said that all zoos should be closed because they are bad for animals. You decide to write an email to the editor, in response to this…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 22
In class, you have been talking about role models. Your teacher has asked you to write the opening of a biography about someone you admire. Write the text for your biography…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 23
You and your friends are currently volunteering at an important international sporting event that is taking place in your country. You have decided to write a blog about your…
Answer this question and get it marked →February–March 2023, Paper 22
You recently started doing some voluntary work in your free time. Your headteacher has asked you to give a short speech to your school to encourage others to do something similar.…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 21
You are going to take part in a two-week expedition to a remote location, and you have decided to write a blog about it. Write the text for your first blog entry, using no more…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 22
Your teacher has asked you to write the opening of a story called The Voice, about an answerphone message that someone received from a complete stranger. Write the text for the…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 23
You belong to an environmental organisation which is concerned about the amount of rubbish that people throw away. You have offered to produce a leaflet which explains how people…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 21
You are going to take part in a debate at school about whether it would be more interesting to be able to travel back to the past, or forward to the future. Your headteacher has…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 22
You are taking part in a fitness challenge which involves walking 10 000 steps every day. You have decided to write a blog about the experience. Write the text for your first blog…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 23
You recently read a newspaper article which said that people spend far too much time and money shopping these days. You decide to write an email to the editor, in response to this…
Answer this question and get it marked →Other AS & A Level English Language topics
- Extended writing (46)
- Directed response (16)
- Text analysis (16)
- Language change (16)
- Child language acquisition (16)
- English in the world (16)
- Language and the self (16)