Do You Need to Use Subject Terminology in Every Exam Answer?

Today we are answering a classic revision panic question: Do I have to use subject terminology in every single exam answer?

The short answer: No. But you do need to use it in the right places.

Where You Definitely Need It

Some questions specifically test your knowledge of subject terminology. For example:

AQA Paper 1, Question 2 - Analyse language (so language terminology is essential).

AQA Paper 1, Question 3 - Analyse structure (so structure terminology is needed).

Edexcel questions - Often ask for language, structure and form at the higher bands.

Literature essays - Terminology for form and structure can help show you understand plays, poems, and novels.

Mrs Wear’s Top Tip

Pay close attention to the mark scheme. If it uses the phrase 'subject terminology' or 'techniques', then it is assessing your use of subject terminology.

Where to Learn More

If you'd like to develop your understanding of subject terminology further, check out my video on subject terminology. You can find it in my lessons for the AQA exams, Edexcel exams and 'How to Analyse' series (the video is identical in all of them - it is just so important that it appears more than once!)

If you want to enhance your own subject terminology, then head over to the Study Materials section. There you'll find my terminology banks for non-fiction, fiction, poetry and drama.