English Literature Top Tips May 2018

English Literature Paper 1 Give yourself 10 minutes to break down the concept, annotate extract and consider where else in the text you can reference Section A: Shakespeare Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet Section B: 19th Century novel A Christmas Carol, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and Frankenstein Personal response – what does the concept/idea mean to you?

English Literature Paper 2 Ensure you keep focused on the question throughout – be task specific Section A: Modern Text An Inspector Calls and Lord of the Flies Section B: Poetry Power and Conflict Section C: Unseen Poetry Unseen poetry – have a strategy of how to approach. Verb choice? Neon lines? Semantic field?

What examiners have been told to focus on… AO1 37.5% AO2 42.5% AO3 15% What the themes and ideas mean to you as a reader. How you respond to the question, looking at: - Essay skills - What you say and how you say it References Textual references - You must use quotations from extract/poem - You don’t have to use quotations for whole text reference – it is what points you select that are important. Language/Form/Structure - Anything the writer has used to create meaning for example: characterisation, setting, plot development. Subject terminology – not just technical terms, it is also the language you would use when writing an essay: character, irony, form, places, setting, plot. It is how you use these things to help write your answer. If you answer the question you are addressing context. Other factors to consider: Context text was written in Context of setting (time, location, social and cultural structures Genre Different audiences/readers

Mark scheme – what does it mean? These responses tend to: Focus on the fact the text is a conscious construct Argument driven by a clear point of view about the text – this must shape your response – keep linking back Use references from the text to help develop argument Detailed and fine grained analysis Look closely at the effects of writer’s choices and link them to interpretations Explore lots of ideas in terms of the writer’s purpose Level 6 key words: Convincing Critical analysis Explores

Level 6 – what does it look like? Clear introduction that presents a clear opinion/argument on the question. It also clearly explains the writer’s intention.

Alternative interpretations on methods allow this student to be considered ‘developed’ even in the first part of their response. Keep focused on the question and your opinion

Mark scheme – what does it mean? These responses tend to: Think about the ideas presented in the question from different perspectives, consider more than one interpretation or reading of the text Be more tentative to show thoughtful consideration Focus in a thoughtful way on specific writer’s methods, linked to interpretations Keep focused on: themes and ideas, writer’s purpose and intention and context Level 5 key words: Thoughtful Developed Alternative

Level 5 – what does it look like? This is the student’s final paragraph. She wrote 3 different paragraphs on the text in a ‘thoughtful’ manner and so this was considered to be a ‘developed’ response. Examines methods and their effects on the audience

Keeps focused on the question and their opinion by linking to the writer’s intention.

Mark scheme – what does it mean? These responses tend to: Keep focused on question Use effective references Explain the effects of the writer’s method on the text – making sure you keep focused that it has been consciously written The writer creates a sense of … in order to … Link effects to the writer’s purpose Show your own understanding of the themes and ideas Level 4 key words: Clear understanding Explain

Level 4 – what does it look like?

In a nutshell, you must: Always refer to the writer – it shows you understand that the text has been constructed for a particular reason and that it isn’t real! If you don’t do this you limit yourself to only achieving level 2/3 Have an opinion on the task right from the start – you must have a line of argument Make sure your interpretations link back to the writer’s intention and your opinion Ensure you analyse – examine precise details of the text Provide alternative interpretations/effects – if you don’t do this you limit yourself to level 4 Be tentative – it shows you are being ‘thoughtful’

Checklist: 1. Introduction: Define the idea/concept/theme Make your argument/opinion clear and focused Link to the writer's intentions 2. Response: P: make your point ensuring you focus on what the question is asking you to explain I: explain the writer’s intention for presenting the idea in this way E: use a relevant and precise quotation D: explain what your evidence literally tells you – what does it denote? M: analyse multiple methods (language – key words, form, structure) and link back to your opinion/point E: link the methods to the effect on the reader/audience and to your overall opinion/argument L: link your analysis back to the writer's intentions and your opinion