1. Making Connections: guidance on non-exam assessment
A-level English Language and Literature

2. What is the NEA?
Making Connections is the non-exam assessment (NEA) component of our new A-level English Language and Literature specification.
Making Connections focuses on language use in different types of text and requires students to make active connections between a literary text and some non-literary material.

3. What do students have to do?
Using stylistics as a research methodology means that students need to pay attention to both precise linguistic description (exact words and passages) and sustained interpretation (the overall meaning of the whole text).
Fully explain the significance of every language choice. (Point- example- explanation)
Discuss the importance of contextual factors.
The key concepts:
Genre
Narrative
Point of view
Register
Representation
Literariness

4. How should we do it?
Demonstrate skills of close language-driven analysis in a report-based format.
The report should be concerned with the questions of how and in what ways writers make small- and large-scale language choices, and how these may be influenced by a range of contextual factors.
‘Making Connections' requires students to make active connections between a literary text and some non-literary material.
The connections must be based either on a chosen theme or on the idea that particular linguistic strategies and features may occur in the different types of material.

5. What is meant by literary and non-literary material?
For the purposes of this specification, literary texts are defined as those that are drawn from the three main literary genres of prose fiction, poetry and drama.
‘Non- literary’ is an overarching term that describes more than simply non-fiction. It includes non- fiction but also texts and data that are not formally published and marketed – for example, personal letters, spontaneous speech and multimedia texts.
Even coverage should be given to literary and non-literary material.

6. Choosing material and background reading
Students may choose their own texts or teachers can recommend texts.
The research element requires academic reading around the chosen topic and focus. Students need to refer to several sources drawing on a range of reading as is appropriate to their investigation. There is no set maximum number of sources but one or two would be too few and not allow students to demonstrate a good knowledge of their chosen area of study.
The suggested word count for the Review section is words. Students should write about their reading so that it provides a context for the reader to understand the ideas they have about their material and/or their methods of analysis.
It is possible for students to make use of their secondary material in their Introduction and Aims section (750 words), for example if giving an overview of their literary text, they might draw attention to a particular literary-critical reading.

7. Structuring the report
There are six compulsory sections with a recommended word count for each.
Introduction and Aims (750 words)
Review ( words)
Analysis (1250 words)
Conclusions ( words)
Appendix
References

8. Introduction and Aims (750 words)
Introduce the chosen literary text, identify the focus of the investigation, and explain the choice of non-literary material.
In providing a rationale for the area of study, think about the importance of the theme/language feature you have chosen; both in the text as a whole and in specific episodes.

9. Review ( words)
Discuss background reading, providing a context for your analysis.
This can focus on your chosen material and/or research and analytical methods.
If you are exploring a language feature, provide some definition and discussion of that feature.

10. Analysis (1250 words)
Students may choose to analyse the literary text and non-literary material separately or together.
Use subheadings

11. Conclusions ( words)
A summary of the main points you have investigated.
Include:
• an overview of what has been revealed by bringing the textual sources together, comparing their literariness;
Some reflection on and critique of the rationale for making connections between the chosen texts.

12. Appendices and References
Appendix
References
This contains literary extracts and non-literary data. It should not contain any other material.
This contains a list of primary and secondary reading. This must be presented using the conventions of academic referencing.

13. Assessment
AO1 (15 marks): this assesses students’ abilities to give an account of their source material, use their methodology well and structure their writing clearly.
AO2 (15 marks): this assesses students’ abilities to analyse their material, explore meanings and cover both sources.
AO3 (10 marks): this assesses students’ abilities to explore a range of different contexts as is appropriate in relation to their material.
AO4 (10 marks): this assesses students’ abilities to make connections and reflect on and critique their reasons for doing so.