Reading non-fiction, rhetoric and media texts

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Non-fiction and media texts matter because Paper 2 rewards readers who can spot viewpoint fast, separate fact from persuasion, and explain how a writer steers an audience. In AQA 8700, this is tested through true/false retrieval, summary, language analysis and comparison of two unseen non-fiction sources; on some other boards, presentational and media features are tested more directly too.

By the end you’ll be able to

Recognise the conventions and purposes of non-fiction genres: journalism, opinion columns, speeches, letters, diaries, autobiography, travel writing, reviews and reports
Analyse rhetorical and persuasive techniques (direct address, rhetorical questions, lists of three, statistics, anecdote, hyperbole, emotive language, counter-argument) and their effect on the intended audience
Distinguish fact, opinion and bias, and evaluate how a writer positions the reader
Analyse media and multimodal texts: headlines, images, layout and presentational devices (CCEA Unit 1, contemporary texts)

What the exam asks

In the AQA reference format, this topic sits mainly in Paper 2, Section A.

Question	Marks	What it is really testing	What you must do
Q1	4	Careful retrieval	Select the four true statements from Source A only
Q2	8	Summary and synthesis	Explain similarities or differences between the sources on one focus
Q3	12	Language analysis	Explore how one writer uses language to present ideas, feelings or attitudes
Q4	16	Comparison of viewpoints and methods	Compare both writers’ perspectives and how they convey them

You also need these skills for other boards, where unseen articles, speeches, letters, reports, reviews, travel writing, autobiography, diaries and media texts may appear.

Core ideas

Recognising genre, purpose and audience

Before analysing methods, identify what kind of text you are reading and what it is trying to do.

Genre	Common conventions	Usual purpose

Check your understanding

3 questions on reading non-fiction, rhetoric and media texts. Every option is explained once you answer.

Answers are checked on our side, every option is explained, and your result feeds your mastery for this topic. It’s free.

Term	Meaning	Example	Why it matters
Fact	can be checked or proved	“The service begins at 8 a.m.”	may create credibility
Opinion	a belief, judgement or viewpoint	“The service is embarrassingly slow.”	reveals attitude
Bias	a slanted presentation favouring one side	only negative examples are included	shapes the reader’s response

Technique	What it does	Strong analysis sounds like
Direct address	involves the reader/listener	“By using ‘you’, the writer makes the audience feel personally responsible.”
Rhetorical question	pushes the reader towards an answer	“The question is not genuine; it pressures the audience to agree.”
Rule of three	adds rhythm and emphasis	“The triple phrase makes the point memorable and complete.”
Statistics	creates authority or urgency	“The figure gives the argument a factual surface, even in a persuasive text.”
Anecdote	humanises an issue	“The personal story makes the abstract problem feel immediate.”
Hyperbole	exaggerates for force	“The overstatement heightens outrage, though it may also reveal bias.”
Emotive language	triggers sympathy, anger or fear	“Words like ‘abandoned’ make the reader feel moral concern.”
Counter-argument	anticipates objections	“By acknowledging the other side, the writer sounds more balanced.”

Feature	Questions to ask	Possible effect
Headline	Is it neutral, dramatic, punning, sensational?	grabs attention, frames the story before reading
Image	Who or what is shown? Close-up or distance? Positive or negative?	directs sympathy, blame or admiration
Caption	Does it explain or steer interpretation?	tells the reader how to read the image
Layout	Columns, bullet points, boxed facts, large quotation?	makes ideas seem accessible, urgent or important
Font size / bold	What is visually prioritised?	signals importance or drama
Colour / graphics	Formal or promotional?	creates mood and brand identity

News report / journalism	headline, reported facts, quotations, formal tone	inform, sometimes influence	selection of facts, balance, objectivity or slant
Opinion column	strong first-person voice, argument, judgement	persuade, provoke	bias, assertive language, humour, exaggeration
Speech	direct address, repetition, inclusive pronouns	persuade or inspire listeners	audience control, rhythm, slogans, applause lines
Letter	named recipient, personal or formal tone	complain, persuade, thank, argue	relationship with reader, politeness or pressure
Diary	private first person, immediate reactions	record thoughts or events	honesty, emotion, limited viewpoint
Autobiography / memoir	reflection, hindsight, narrative detail	recount and interpret experience	contrast between past event and later judgement
Travel writing	description plus judgement	inform, entertain, recommend or criticise	sensory detail, cultural attitude, enthusiasm or disapproval
Review	clear verdict, evaluative adjectives	judge quality and guide audience	criteria, praise, criticism, authority
Report	sections, evidence, measured tone	present findings	factual tone, data, recommendations

Reading non-fiction, rhetoric and media texts

By the end you’ll be able to

What the exam asks

Core ideas

Recognising genre, purpose and audience

Check your understanding

Fact, opinion and bias

Rhetorical and persuasive techniques

Media and presentational features

Turning observations into exam analysis

Worked examples

Exam technique

Common mistakes

Quick recap

By the end you’ll be able to

What the exam asks

Core ideas

Recognising genre, purpose and audience

vii.Check your understanding

Fact, opinion and bias

Rhetorical and persuasive techniques

Media and presentational features

Turning observations into exam analysis

Worked examples

Exam technique

Common mistakes

Quick recap

Check your understanding