Last minute exam tips

Timings Section A (talk) carries more marks than section B (The Lovely Bones) You’re advised to spend 50 minutes on section A and 40 minutes on section B. TIP: Don’t stress out about remembering these timings – it will say so clearly on your exam paper.

Tip Number Two: how to get maximum marks on section A (talk) Remember you need to discuss context and how this affects language (A03). You also need to analyse the text using PEE (AO2) commenting on attitudes/ideas/feelings conveyed.

Talk (Section A): Tip 1 Tip 1: Compare the context (purpose/audience/genre) in your opening paragraph to ensure you begin your essay thinking about context. Think about what is different about the two texts in terms of context. You can discuss the affect this context will have on language later in your essay.

Talk (Section A): Tip 2 Tip 2: Remember context is simply the ‘background’ to the text – so Where’s the talk taking place? Who’s involved? Why is it taking place? What is being said? How is it being said? You won’t have time to discuss all of these contextual factors in the exam so simply focus on those you feel to be significant.

Talk (Section A): Tip 3 Tip 3: A good way of deciding on attitudes/feelings/ideas is to think about tone.

The Lovely Bones Get marks by knowing your terminology (A01) and using PEE points throughout (A02).

The Lovely Bones (Sect. B): Tip1 Don’t analyse in a general way. Remember to relate all your points back to the question. After every paragraph you write, ask yourself if you have related your point back to the question you are asked. Every year, students lose marks for ‘feature spotting’ without referring to the question. For example, if the question is to discuss Sebold’s representation of the character of Abigail: Don’t say: Abigail’s eyes are described as being like ‘the ocean’. This is a metaphor. Instead say: A metaphor is used to describe Abigail’s eyes as being like ‘the ocean’, which conveys a sense of depth and mystery to her character.

The Lovely Bones (Sect.B): Tip 2 There are lots of marks in this section for terminology so revise using studentsurfer, twitter, get revising etc. Make sure you know the basics: sentence types/word classes/symbolism/metaphors/imagery

The Lovely Bones (Sect.B): Tip 3 Think about the writer’s choices i.e. why Sebold has used the techniques that she has. For example, if you notice reporting clauses the effect might be to slow down the pace of the text. If there are no reporting clauses (free direct speech) it might be to speed it up. Also, Susie’s omniscient narration often interrupts the narrative in the form of comments and flashbacks – Why might Sebold have chosen to write the text in this way? Why might this be significant to the passage you are given?

The Lovely Bones (Sect.B): Tip 4 It’s easy in exam conditions to write quickly and forget about capital letters/missed apostrophes etc. Therefore allow yourself time in the exam to proof-read. This is particularly important for section B where your work is marked for written expression.

The Lovely Bones (Sect.B): Tip 5 If you have a tendency to go blank in exams, it might be helpful to write the frameworks on your paper to help you plan. Lexis, Grammar, Phonology, literary devices etc

The Lovely Bones (Sect.B): Tip 6 Make sure you revise the plot of The Lovely Bones as it’s been a while since we studied it. You will need to know this for the ‘other episodes’. is ideal for this.

Ways to revise Test yourself on terminology on or twitterwww.studentsurfer.com As it’s been a while since we studied The Lovely Bones, it might be helpful to read through the plot summary of The Lovely Bones using Make notes on significant moments that could be discussed for ‘other episodes’. Read through PowerPoints on The best way to improve is through practice papers (I have ed you plenty) If you don’t have time to complete them all, simply plan your response.