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Paper 1
Paper 1 Q3: Structure Analysis
Both
Follow how focus shifts from beginning to end.
Key Facts
- Paper 1 Q3 is 8 marks and focuses on structure.
- Discuss how the text is ordered and why that matters.
- Use structural terminology like focus, shift, or climax.
- Back points with precise references to the extract.
- Avoid repeating language analysis from Q2.
Topics Covered
Start, Middle, End
What you need to know
- •Explain how the opening hooks the reader.
- •Track how tension or focus changes in the middle.
- •Comment on the ending and its impact.
Exam Tips
- Use a chronological structure in your answer.
Shifts and Focus
What you need to know
- •Track how focus moves between characters or settings.
- •Note when tension rises or changes.
Exam Tips
- Use start, middle, end to organise your answer.
Narrative Perspective
What you need to know
- •Identify first or third person narration.
- •Explain how viewpoint shapes suspense or empathy.
Exam Tips
- Comment on effect of the narrative voice.
Pacing and Sentence Control
What you need to know
- •Short sentences speed up pace and build tension.
- •Long sentences slow pace and build detail.
Exam Tips
- Link pacing to the reader's reaction.
Key Terms
narrative perspective
The point of view from which the story is told.
structural shift
A change in focus, time, or mood in a text.
climax
The most intense or important moment in a text.
pacing
The speed at which a text moves.
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Common Exam Questions
How does the writer structure the text to build tension?
8 marksmediumPaper 1
Model Answer
Comment on focus, pacing, and shifts, linking to effect.
What examiners want to see
- ✓Overview of structure
- ✓Specific references
- ✓Effect
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