1. 1.1 Exam Feedback
NEXT TIME …..

2. General Tips
Remember to underline the title of your text eg When We Wake
Refer to the author by both names or by their last name NOT their first name only eg Joe Wright OR Wright (NOT Joe)
Use formal language rather than colloquial language or cliches (mother not mum, kissing not making out, don’t judge a book by its cover)
NEVER retell the plot – use details and events as examples to answer the question
Choose relevant examples and quotations to your key point for the paragraph

3. General Tips
The first part of the question is crucial - Make sure you have described - if it is an event - what happened, when, where, what were the consequences - give specific detail
The second part of the question is ALSO crucial. It should be the longest part of your essay.
If the question asks for one or more characters, limit your discussion to one or two discussed in depth.
If you are writing about the novel please don’t refer to the film or use the word ‘see’ or ‘audience’ or ‘view’
State briefly who each character is
eg T-Ray, Lily’s father;
Mercutio, Romeo’s friend Th

4. Essay Structure Answer both parts of the question
Address both parts of the question in the introduction and the conclusion, including the title of the text and the author
Don’t be afraid to add in a 4th main body paragraph if you want to (another explain paragraph)

5. In each body paragraph you need to:
Start with a clear topic sentence that addresses key parts of the question/topic often using keywords or synonyms FROM THE QUESTION
Explain your point with evidence and any quotations you use
Incorporate the quotation into your sentence eg Try to avoid 'This quote shows ‘… or ‘An example to show this is …’
Explain the link between your evidence and the main point of your paragraph
Your beyond the text comment should flow seamlessly without sounding forced. They should be relevant and specific to the content of the paragraph (Relate your point to society, human behavior, what we learn etc..)
Within the comment you need to link back to the topic sentence (Use key words from the question again).
For Merit or Excellence you should show awareness of author’s purpose, the relationship between the author and the reader. Use phrases such as, “Lee’s purpose was …” “Healey is trying to teach us …”

6. 1, Describe at least ONE important character or individual in the written text. Explain how the character or individual revealed aspects of our real world.
This was the most popular question.
Most students described their character well.
‘Aspects of our real world’ included human behaviour as well as societal issues. The best answers linked the text specifically with specific issues in today’s society.

7. 2, Describe at least ONE major conflict in the written text
2, Describe at least ONE major conflict in the written text. Explain how this conflict helped you to understand human behaviour.
This was a popular question and was generally handled well.
A conflict is not the same as an event that has conflict within it (eg a trial)
This could be an internal conflict or a conflict between individuals and/or groups.
Some answers failed to address the ‘human behaviour’ aspect of the second half of the question, often discussing the individuals or themes instead. More direct discussion was needed as well as links to author’s purpose.

8. 3, Describe a key moment that had a significant influence on people or events in the written texts. Explain how this key moment influenced people or events in the texts.
This was a popular choice.
Students who did well recognised that a ‘moment’ meant an instant or a short period of time. An event that takes place over a number of hours or days is not a ‘moment’.
Students generally answered the second part of the question well. The best responses made beyond the text comments that linked to author’s purpose or the main messages coming through in the text via the ‘moment’.

9. 4, Describe at least ONE important setting in the written text
4, Describe at least ONE important setting in the written text. Explain how the setting had an influence on characters or ideas.
The setting is the time, place and social conditions in which the story takes place.
Setting is not an event or ‘scene’ or conflict
You need to clearly explain how the setting helped to influence character or ideas. This is likely to relate to understanding why characters behave as they do as a result of the society in which they live.

10. 5, Describe the structure of the written text
5, Describe the structure of the written text Explain how the structure helped you to understand the writer’s purpose.
Few students answered on this question.
This was a tricky question to answer. Appropriate answers would cover the varying length of chapters to reflect events/ideas. The deliberate weaving between narrators and notable changes between beginning, middle and end. Also the epigraphs at the beginning each chapter in The Secret Life of Bees which parallel Lily’s development.

11. 6, Describe at least ONE key symbol in the written text
6, Describe at least ONE key symbol in the written text. Explain why the symbol had value for you as a reader.
Students needed to make sure that they had enough material for a full essay if they chose to write about only one symbol
Some good choices could have been the bees and Our Lady of Chains (for The Secret Life of Bees) or The Claddagh, Molly’s Charms and the Boxes in the Attic (for Orphan Train).
It would be possible to talk about multiple symbols

12. 7, Describe at least ONE method the writer used in the written text
7, Describe at least ONE method the writer used in the written text. Explain how the writer used this method to convince you of an idea of value to the readers.
Greater awareness of how the author is using this ‘method’ to create an effect was needed.
Needed to be linked effectively to human nature
The most successful essays discussed a more obvious method such as narrative point of view.

13. 8, Describe the beginning of the written text
8, Describe the beginning of the written text. Explain how the beginning of the text created your interest in the text.
Few students answered on this question.
It was wise not to choose this question as ‘created your interest’ is a difficult concept to discuss convincingly.
Ideas around style would have worked well here eg. the effect of narrative point of view, the style and tone of the language