Paper 1 is very much a skills-based exam. Here's a short video and chart explaining what you should and should not do. To internalise these points, it's recommended that you write multiple Paper 1 responses. Practice with purpose. This video is more or less a recap of the skills and practice section for Paper 1 on this Support Site.

Tip Do's Don'ts
#1 READ DO read carefully, annotate, come which a checklist (like CAMPS) DON'T start writing without annotating. DON'T ignore the information above the stimulus text.
#2 PLAN DO make a plan, outline. Do use the pyramid of purpose. DON'T make it up as you go. DON'T write separate paragraphs of audience, style, theme, purpose, etc.
#3 INTRO DO have a hook. DO explore context, text type and audience.  DON'T write sweeping generalisations. DON'T get the text type wrong 
#4 THESIS DO answer the guiding question. DO include big ideas in your thesis. DON'T ignore the guiding question, write your own question or list features.
#5 POINTS DO make claims in your topic sentences, connecting style to purpose. DON'T lose sight of the guiding question or thesis. DON'T list features.
#6 EVIDENCE DO set up and include relevant quotes. DO cluster similar evidence. DON'T leave out evidence or drop quotes into paragraphs without explanation. 
#7 EXPLAIN DO analyse the text and argue that there's a logical connection between the writer's choices, the reader's response and the writer's intent. DON'T summarise or make cognitive leaps. 
#8 LINK BACK DO echo thesis and guiding question in last line of each paragraph.  DON'T end paragraphs abruptly. 
#9 CONCLUSION DO repeat the main ideas. DO evaluate the effectiveness of the writer's choices. DO return to the hook.  DON'T run out of time and skip the conclusion. DON'T introduce a new, big claim. 
#10 HAND WRITING DO practise writing analyses by hand. DO skip every other line. DON'T rush your exam response. DON't think you'll have time to rewrite everything after the exam. DON'T use (too many) arrows and asterisks.
ATLs

Learning, in this English A course, happens through experience. Reflecting on experiences and mock Paper 1 is very important. What's more, acting on feedback to write new responses to old stimulus texts is very valuable. Make sure that students have opportunities to act on feedback and learn from mistakes, when preparing for Paper 1 exams.   

Related pages
  • P1 Introductions and thesis statements
  • P1 Paragraphing (PEEL)
  • Paper 1 sentence starters
  • Annotating Paper 1
  • Paper 1 planning
Last modified: Saturday, 1 February 2025, 11:38 AM