## **Learning Outcomes**

After working through this article, you will confidently control sentence structure, use punctuation accurately for clarity and effect, and avoid common spelling errors in transactional writing (AO6). You will be able to vary sentence types for impact, correct run-on sentences and comma splices, and apply a proofreading strategy that catches the errors most likely to cost marks. These skills are essential for the 16 AO6 marks available in Paper 2 Section B.

## **AQA GCSE English Language 8700 Syllabus**

For AQA GCSE English Language 8700, this article helps you:

- Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose, and effect (AO6 — 16 marks)
- Demonstrate accurate spelling and punctuation across a sustained piece of writing (AO6)
- Control grammar, including subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, and sentence boundaries (AO6)
- Apply technical accuracy to support the coherence and persuasiveness of your argument (AO5/AO6)

## **Test Your Knowledge**

_Attempt these questions before reading this article. If you find some difficult or cannot remember the answers, remember to look more closely at that area during your revision._

1. What is a comma splice, and how do you fix it?
2. True or false: Using only simple sentences demonstrates strong sentence control.
3. Name three pairs of commonly confused homophones.
4. A student writes: "The school needs more funding, it is essential for the future." What error has been made, and how should it be corrected?

## **Introduction**

Technical accuracy is not just about avoiding mistakes — it is about demonstrating control. The AO6 mark scheme at Level 4 (13-16 marks) requires "a wide range of punctuation" used "with a high level of accuracy" and "extensive and ambitious use of vocabulary" with "accurate spelling, including complex and irregular words." This means the examiner is looking for both accuracy and ambition: correct use of a variety of sentence types and punctuation marks, not just error-free simple sentences.

The three areas most likely to affect your AO6 mark are sentence control (avoiding run-ons and comma splices while varying sentence types), punctuation (using the full range accurately), and spelling (especially commonly confused words and subject-specific vocabulary).

> **Key Term: sentence control**
> The ability to construct grammatically correct sentences of varying types (simple, compound, complex) and to maintain clear sentence boundaries using appropriate punctuation.
>
> **Key Term: comma splice**
> An error in which two independent clauses are joined by a comma alone, without a conjunction or appropriate punctuation. For example: "The park is neglected, nobody maintains it."
>
> **Key Term: subject-verb agreement**
> The grammatical rule that a verb must match its subject in number: singular subjects take singular verbs ("the school is") and plural subjects take plural verbs ("the schools are").

## Sentence Control and Variety (AO6)

Strong sentence control means choosing the right sentence type for each point and maintaining clear boundaries between sentences. The three main sentence types are:

- _Simple sentence_ — one independent clause, used for emphasis or clarity ("This must change.")
- _Compound sentence_ — two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, so, yet) ("The evidence is clear, and the time for action is now.")
- _Complex sentence_ — an independent clause with one or more dependent clauses, used for developing reasoning ("Although some may disagree, the benefits of this policy far outweigh the costs.")

Varying sentence types shows the examiner that you can control your writing deliberately. A short simple sentence after several complex sentences creates emphasis. A complex sentence with a subordinate clause at the start signals sophisticated reasoning.

The most common sentence control errors are:

- _Run-on sentence_ — two sentences joined with no punctuation: "The park is neglected nobody maintains it."
- _Comma splice_ — two sentences joined with only a comma: "The park is neglected, nobody maintains it."
- _Overly long sentence_ — chaining multiple clauses with "and" until the reader loses track of the point.

### **Worked Example 1.1**

A student writes: "The school canteen needs to be improved because the food is unhealthy and the portions are small and many students skip lunch altogether and this affects their concentration in afternoon lessons and their overall wellbeing."

> **Answer (corrected version):**
>
> "The school canteen urgently needs improvement. The food is unhealthy, the portions are inadequate, and many students skip lunch altogether. This directly affects their concentration in afternoon lessons and their overall wellbeing."
>
> The original is a single run-on sentence chaining five ideas with 'and.' The corrected version separates these into three sentences: a short, emphatic opening statement, a tricolon listing the problems, and a complex sentence explaining the consequence. The variety of sentence types — simple, compound (tricolon), and complex — demonstrates deliberate control rather than accidental rambling.

### **Exam Warning**

> Persistent errors in sentence boundaries — especially comma splices and run-on sentences — will cap your AO6 mark at Level 2, even if your content and organisation are strong. Spend five minutes proofreading at the end of the exam specifically for sentence boundary errors.

## Punctuation for Clarity and Effect (AO6)

Accurate punctuation guides the reader through your argument. The mark scheme rewards a "wide range" of punctuation used accurately, so aim to use more than just full stops and commas.

Key punctuation marks and their uses:

- _Full stop_ — ends a sentence; the most important punctuation mark for sentence control
- _Comma_ — separates items in a list, introduces subordinate clauses, or follows introductory phrases. Never use a comma to join two independent clauses without a conjunction
- _Semicolon_ — links two closely related independent clauses: "The evidence is overwhelming; the time for action is now."
- _Colon_ — introduces an explanation, list, or elaboration: "There is one solution: invest in better facilities."
- _Dash_ — adds emphasis or an aside: "The current system — outdated and underfunded — cannot continue."
- _Apostrophe_ — shows possession (the school's policy) or contraction (don't, can't). Note: "its" (possessive) has no apostrophe; "it's" means "it is"

Using semicolons, colons, and dashes correctly demonstrates ambition and control. Even one or two well-placed semicolons can signal to the examiner that you are writing at Level 3 or above.

### **Worked Example 1.2**

A student writes: "The council says they care about young people but they have closed two youth centres this year, they have cut the sports budget, and they have ignored every petition we have sent."

> **Answer (corrected version):**
>
> "The council claims to care about young people; their actions tell a different story. In the past year alone, they have closed two youth centres, slashed the sports budget, and ignored every petition residents have submitted."
>
> The original contains a comma splice after 'this year.' The corrected version uses a semicolon to link two contrasting independent clauses, which is both grammatically correct and rhetorically effective. The colon-less list in the second sentence uses commas correctly to separate items. The verb 'claims' (replacing 'says') adds a critical tone, and 'slashed' (replacing 'cut') adds force. Accurate punctuation and precise diction work together to strengthen the argument.

## Spelling and Proofreading Strategies (AO6)

Spelling errors are among the easiest marks to lose and the easiest to prevent. The mark scheme penalises "frequent" errors and rewards "accurate spelling, including complex and irregular words." While occasional minor errors will not significantly affect your mark, persistent mistakes in common words signal a lack of care.

High-frequency error words in English Language exams:

- _Homophones_: there/their/they're, your/you're, its/it's, affect/effect, where/were/we're, to/too/two
- _Commonly misspelled words_: because, believe, definitely, environment, government, necessary, separate, argument, beginning, receive
- _Double letters_: accommodation, committee, occasionally, embarrass, disappoint, recommend

A reliable proofreading strategy:

1. Read your answer backwards, sentence by sentence — this forces you to focus on each sentence in isolation rather than reading for meaning
2. Check every "their/there/they're" and "your/you're" — these are the most commonly penalised homophones
3. Look for words you know you tend to misspell and verify them

### **Worked Example 1.3**

A student writes: "The goverment should definately invest more in the enviroment. Its there responsability to protect are planet for future gennerations."

> **Answer (corrected version):**
>
> "The government should definitely invest more in the environment. It is their responsibility to protect our planet for future generations."
>
> The original contains six spelling errors: 'goverment' (government), 'definately' (definitely), 'enviroment' (environment), 'Its' (It is), 'there' (their), 'are' (our), and 'gennerations' (generations). Three of these are homophone errors (its/it is, there/their, are/our) that change the meaning of the sentence. These are exactly the kinds of persistent errors that cap an AO6 mark at Level 2. A two-minute proofread focusing specifically on homophones and commonly misspelled words would catch all of them.

### **Revision Tip**

> Keep a personal error log. Each time you make a grammar, punctuation, or spelling mistake in practice, write it down with the correct version. Review this list before the exam to target your specific weaknesses rather than revising general rules.

## **Summary**

Grammar, punctuation, spelling, and sentence control are the four pillars of AO6 technical accuracy. Strong sentence control means varying sentence types deliberately and maintaining clear boundaries. Accurate punctuation — including semicolons, colons, and dashes — demonstrates ambition and guides the reader through your argument. Spelling accuracy, particularly with homophones and high-frequency words, prevents avoidable mark loss. Spending five minutes proofreading at the end of the exam is the single most efficient way to improve your AO6 mark.

## **Key Point Checklist**

_This article has covered the following key knowledge points:_

- Vary sentence types (simple, compound, complex) for control and deliberate effect
- Identify and correct run-on sentences and comma splices
- Use a wide range of punctuation accurately, including semicolons, colons, and dashes
- Avoid common homophone errors and high-frequency misspellings
- Apply a proofreading strategy that targets the most costly errors

## **Key Terms and Concepts**

- sentence control
- simple sentence
- compound sentence
- complex sentence
- comma splice
- run-on sentence
- subject-verb agreement
- semicolon
- colon
- apostrophe
- homophones


Style and technical accuracy (transactional writing) - Grammar, punctuation, spelling, and sentence control