Unit 4 Task 2 - Complete Teaching Resource

This comprehensive teaching pack is designed to prepare students for the CCEA English Language Unit 4 Task 2 exam, which requires the comparison of two literary texts within a 26-minute timeframe.

The resource focuses on building the analytical skills necessary to identify how writers create atmospheric effects like mystery, isolation and tension.

Included Resources

1. Introductory & Skills Recap

• Unit Overview: Visual breakdown of the assessment objective: finding evidence, identifying the 'how' (methods), and analysing effects across shared themes.
• Figurative Language Recap: A matching worksheet covering primary devices (Simile, Metaphor, Personification, etc.) and a detailed glossary with examples.
• Sensory Imagery Workshop: Exercises focused on identifying the five types of imagery (Visual, Aural, Olfactory, Tactile, Gustatory) and how they establish location, weather and time.

2. Analytical Activities

• Connotation Games: A series of tasks designed to move students beyond literal meaning. Includes a "Positive vs. Negative" word sort and exercises in rewriting text to change its tone.
• Figurative Language Hunt: Two original creative extracts (The Iron Orchestra and The Helios Academy) with accompanying 'So What?' tables to help students link devices to the writer’s intentions.
• A Quote Analysis: A structured 'zoom-in' template that guides students through selecting a quote, identifying the technique and exploring specific word connotations.

3. Exam Practice & Scaffolding

• Comparison Grid: A multi-page graphic organiser to help students map out similarities and differences in atmosphere, setting, character and sentence structure between two texts.
• Prompt Cards: Visual cues for students to use during planning, covering narrative voice, powerful verbs, punctuation and sentence variety.
• Mock Extracts & Questions: Practice materials including an atmospheric suspense extract from The Haunting of Hill House and others, paired with exam-style questions.

4. Assessment & Feedback

• CCEA-Style Mark Scheme: A breakdown of the competence levels (CL0–CL5) for reading and analysing writer’s craft.
• Sample Answers: Two full-length student responses (based on Narnia and Harry Potter extracts) for comparative analysis.
• Peer Assessment Tool: A colour-coded marking key for students to identify connectives, literary devices and 'how' explanations in their peers' work.
• Teacher Answer Key: A completed set of answers for the comprehension and analysis questions.

*BONUS VIDEO* A video explaining how writers create mystery.