1. English Literature Exam
Sunlight on the Grass
&
Of mice and Men

2. English Literature Unit 1 Exploring Modern TextsAO
Criteria
Section A
Section B 1
respond to texts critically and imaginatively; select and evaluate relevant textual detail to illustrate and support interpretations
10% 5% 2
explain how language, structure and form contribute to writers’ presentation of ideas, themes and settings 4
relate texts to their social, cultural and historical contexts; explain how texts have been influential and significant to self and other readers in different contexts and at different times

3. Section A: Sunlight on the Grass
Answer one question: choice of two
Each question has two parts – MUST do both:
Part (a): named story, given topic
Part (b): choose your own story, continue on the same topic
45 minutes (5 minutes planning)
30 marks
Should be about 3 sides of paper

4. Section A: Sunlight on the Grass
Mark Band 6 (26–30 marks)
Candidates demonstrate:
• Insightful exploratory response to task
• Insightful exploratory response to text
• Close analysis of detail to support interpretation
• Evaluation of the writer’s uses of language and/or structure and/or form and effects on readers/audience
• Convincing/imaginative interpretation of ideas/themes/settings
Information is presented in a way which assists with communication of meaning.

5. Section A: Sunlight on the Grass
AO1 - 10%
respond to texts critically and imaginatively; select and evaluate relevant textual detail to illustrate and support interpretations
AO2 - 10%
explain how language, structure and form contribute to writers’ presentation of ideas, themes and settings

6. Section B: Of Mice and Men
No choice in question
Two parts – MUST do both:
Part a: extract-based (20 minutes)
Part b: whole text – find your own evidence across text (20 minutes)
45 minutes (5 minutes planning/2.5 each)
30 marks
Should do about 1.5 sides of paper each

7. Section B: Of Mice and Men
Mark Band 6 (26–30 marks) In response to the task, candidates demonstrate: • Insightful exploratory response to text • Close analysis of detail to support interpretation • Evaluation of writers uses of language and/or structure and/or form and effects on readers • Convincing/imaginative interpretation of ideas/themes/settings • Insightful exploratory response to context(s) • Insightful exploration of a range of telling detail to support response to context(s) Information is presented in a way which assists with communication of meaning.

8. Section B: Of Mice and Men
AO1 - 5%
respond to texts critically and imaginatively; select and evaluate relevant textual detail to illustrate and support interpretations
AO2 - 5%
explain how language, structure and form contribute to writers’ presentation of ideas, themes and settings
AO4 - 10%
relate texts to their social, cultural and historical contexts; explain how texts have been influential and significant to self and other readers in different contexts and at different times

9. The spec states that answers should:
Be relevant – don’t write everything you know about the text, only the things that relate to the question
Be sufficiently detailed – it is better to give a lot of detail about a small part of the text than trying to cover lots of different points
Be well structured – with a clear, concise introduction which addresses the question and a clear conclusion that returns to the question
Use effective vocabulary – including literary terms where relevant
Use well-chosen evidence/quotations to support points.
To gain a top grade, candidates should show an enthusiastic and critical personal response.
The best candidates write about the author’s methods and achievements, and will concentrate on comment, not content.

10. Keep in mind...
“Typically, A*/A responses are analytical and exploratory. This means that candidates ‘write a lot about a little’: they tease out meanings and effects from a small section of the text, considering the impact of individual words and sounds and often thinking about possible alternative interpretations.”