Introduction: Your Writing "Behind the Scenes"

In Paper 2, Section A of your English Language exam, you aren't just asked to write a creative piece. After you finish your shorter writing task (Question 1a), you must immediately write a reflective commentary (Question 1b).

Think of this as a "director’s commentary" on a movie. You are stepping back from your work to explain the deliberate choices you made. The examiners want to see that you didn't just write by accident—they want to see that you chose every word, sentence, and paragraph for a specific reason. This commentary is worth 10 marks and focuses on Assessment Objective 3 (AO3): analyzing how your choices of form, structure, and language create meaning.

Note: To learn how to write the initial text for the brief, see our chapter on "Writing a short text to a brief."

What exactly are you reflecting on?

The syllabus requires you to explain how your linguistic choices fulfill the brief. You should focus on three main areas:

1. Form

Form refers to the "shape" of your writing—is it a blog, a letter, a podcast script, or an editorial? You need to explain how you followed the conventions of that form.
Example: "I used a direct address and a catchy heading to follow the conventions of a blog post, ensuring I engaged the online audience immediately."

2. Structure

Structure is how you organized your ideas. This includes paragraphing, the order of information, and how you linked thoughts together.
Example: "I used a chronological structure to build tension, starting with the quiet morning and ending with the chaotic event."

3. Language

Language is the "meat" of your analysis. This covers your vocabulary (lexis), figurative language (like metaphors), sentence structures, and tone.
Example: "I chose evaluative lexis such as 'exceptional' and 'unparalleled' to convey a sense of high quality in my review."

The "Why" Factor: Connecting to Audience and Purpose

The biggest mistake students make is simply listing what they did. To get high marks, you must explain why you did it. You must always link your choices back to:

  • Audience: Who are you writing for? (e.g., teenagers, professionals, local residents).
  • Purpose: What is the goal? (e.g., to persuade, to describe, to inform).

Key Formula: "I used [Linguistic Feature] in order to [Effect on the Reader] which fulfills the purpose of [Purpose]."

Step-by-Step: How to Write the Commentary

Don't worry if this seems tricky at first! Follow these steps to build a solid response:

Step 1: Identify the Feature

Find a specific example in your writing. Use linguistic terminology (e.g., "first-person pronoun," "alliteration," "complex sentence").

Step 2: Quote Yourself

Provide a short quote from your Question 1(a) response as evidence. Keep quotes brief—just a few words is usually enough.

Step 3: Explain the Effect

Explain how that specific choice creates a certain style or meaning. Does it make the tone more formal? Does it make a description more vivid?

Step 4: Link to the Brief

Explicitly state how this choice helped you meet the requirements of the exam prompt.

Linguistic Elements to Look For

When you are scanning your own work for things to write about, look for these features mentioned in the syllabus:

  • Parts of speech / Word classes: Are you using many vivid adjectives? Powerful verbs?
  • Rhetorical devices: Did you use a rhetorical question to challenge the reader?
  • Voice and Tense: Did you write in the active voice to create a sense of immediate action?
  • Sentence structure: Did you use a short, simple sentence to create a dramatic pause?
  • Pragmatics: Are there "hidden" meanings or shared understandings you relied on for your specific audience?

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Being too general: Avoid saying "I used nice words to make it interesting." Instead, say "I used sensory imagery to create an immersive atmosphere for the reader."

2. Forgetting to quote: You must prove you used the features you are claiming to use. Always include short examples in italics or quotation marks.

3. Ignoring the "Reflective" part: This is a reflective commentary. It’s okay to explain that you chose one word over another to better suit the register (level of formality) required.

Quick Review: Key Takeaways

Checklist for your commentary:

  • Did I mention form, structure, and language?
  • Did I use specific quotes from my own writing?
  • Did I use linguistic terms (e.g., imperative verbs, hyperbole, discourse markers)?
  • Did I explain how my choices relate to the audience and purpose?
  • Is my commentary written in a formal, analytical style?

Did you know? Even though the commentary is shorter than the main writing task, it is worth \(20\%\) of the total marks for Paper 2! Taking the time to master this "analytical look" at your own work is one of the fastest ways to boost your grade.