It is important to be well-prepared and to have some knowledge of the features of different text types for Paper 1. However, there is little worse than rote-learning a list of features for each and every text type mentioned in the Subject Guide, if for no other reason that it might lead you to merely listing them in the examination, describing which of them you see in the text, and crucially not trying to formulate an interpretative response nor following the guiding question. The last point is an essential requirement of the paper, and is explained in Paper 1 - Examination Strategy.

In Paper 1 - M21 Responses, you'll see responses to each of the text types that were in the May 2021 examination. Both texts include visuals, but one is more text-heavy (an article from a magazine) and one is more visual-driven (infographic). Take some time to read these responses and consider what scores well.

While it is important to practise making responses to a variety of text types, and to write and practise responding to guiding questions, it might be worth considering what type of visual text will be included. The one in Paper 1 - Sample texts and student work - the Banksy piece - is not impossible, but it's worth noting that the November 2021 examination also included an infographic as the visual text. For certain, a smart student would prepare to respond in case it's three-in-a-row come May 2022!