1. Paper 1: Shakespeare and 19th Century novel
Paper 2: Writer’s viewpoints and perspectives
Literature
1hr 45
Macbeth and Christmas Carol
40%
Language
1hr 45
Non-fiction extracts
50%
Paper 1:Creative Reading and Creative writing
Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry
Language
1hr 45
Fiction extract
50%
Literature
2hr 15
Blood Brothers and Poetry anthology
60%

2. Exam Topics Blood Brothers Superstition Class Fate Friendship Family
Macbeth
Supernatural
Heroism
Mental health/insanity
Masculinity
Gender
Fate
Violence
Death
Power
Fear
Appearance vs Reality
Good vs Evil
Lies/Deception
Lady Macbeth
The Witches
A Christmas Carol
Poverty
Class
Family
Death
Christmas
Fear
Money and Greed
Redemption
Childhood
The Supernatural
Time
Victorian Society
Scrooge
The Crachits
The 4 Ghosts
Blood Brothers
Superstition
Class
Fate
Friendship
Family
Love
Growing up
Nature vs Nurture
Guilt
Lies/Deception
Mrs Johnstone
Mrs Lyons
Mickey
Eddie
Linda
Narrator
Poetry
Power
Conflict
Anger
Time
War
Nature
Powerful people
Human Emotion
Memories
Identity
Exam Topics

3. A good introduction?
Redemption is a key theme in A Christmas Carol. Through this theme Dickens presents ideas of personal and social change and takes the reader on a moral journey. Redemption is also presented as crucial to the plot as Scrooge shakes off the ‘chains he forged’ in Stave one to become a better man by Stave 5. Through the influence of the four ghosts he is able to save his own life and impact on those around him, such as Tiny Tim and the Crachits. Dickens’ presentation of Redemption is also in keeping with his social crusade to present the plight of children and the poor, and like Oliver Twist and David Copperfield, Redemption happens to Scrooge just in time to make a difference. P1 – Scrooge in Stave 1 – why he needs redemption (EXTRACT) P2 – Scrooge in Stave 5 – how he redeems himself P3 – Causes of redemption – Ghosts + Cratchits Conclusion – overall impact

4. Context – Christmas Carol 1. What is the Context. 2
Context – Christmas Carol 1. What is the Context? 2. Make a link to the text

5. Revision What do you still need to do for Christmas Carol and Macbeth?
Context
Quotes
Key moments
Exam practice (timed)
Essay plans for each topic
Introductions

6. Focusing on the extract to begin with, it is clear that Shakespeare is presenting Macbeth as a weak and complex character but not someone who is behaving heroically. His presentation in this scene is perhaps influenced by Shakespeare’s knowledge of Greek tragedy, with Macbeth representing the tragic hero whose hubris is his own mental instability. Firstly he is condescending towards Malcolm by calling him ‘Boy’, suggesting that he does not feel threatened by his rival. Shakespeare then uses a rhyming couplet to emphasise Macbeth’s confidence, “The mind I sway by and the heart I bear/Shall never sag with doubt nor shake with fear.” With the couplet Shakespeare is trying to portray Macbeth’s resolve and resolution to not surrender. The reference to the ‘mind’ could indicate Macbeth’s mental fragility, which is perhaps why he is demonstrating this bravery. Finally, the continued reference to the Witches’ prophecies successfully present Macbeth’s dependence and vulnerability rather than his heroism. In the character’s mind he is a hero but the audience should realise that his cause is not heroic. Shakespeare is trying to show his audience a corrupt King who doesn’t deserve their sympathy.
How far you think Shakespeare presents Macbeth as a hero…

7. I have used short quotes
Focusing on the extract to begin with, it is clear that Shakespeare is presenting Macbeth as a weak and complex character but not someone who is behaving heroically. His presentation in this scene is perhaps influenced by Shakespeare’s knowledge of Greek tragedy, with Macbeth representing the tragic hero whose hubris is his own mental instability. Firstly he is condescending towards Malcolm by calling him ‘Boy’, suggesting that he does not feel threatened by his rival. Shakespeare then uses a rhyming couplet to emphasise Macbeth’s confidence, “The mind I sway by and the heart I bear/Shall never sag with doubt nor shake with fear.” With the couplet Shakespeare is trying to portray Macbeth’s resolve and resolution to not surrender. The reference to the ‘mind’ could indicate Macbeth’s mental fragility, which is perhaps why he is demonstrating this bravery. Finally, the continued reference to the Witches’ prophecies successfully present Macbeth’s dependence and vulnerability rather than his heroism. In the character’s mind he is a hero but the audience should realise that his cause is not heroic. Shakespeare is trying to show his audience a corrupt King who doesn’t deserve their sympathy.
I have noticed the wording of the question and have engaged with the debate
I have used short quotes
I have ‘sprinkled’ my context in at a different point – I haven’t just waited until the end.
I have identified ‘methods’
I have referenced the writer as much as possible
I have discussed the impact on the audience

8. Dickens presents the Cratchits as a poor, working class family who remain positive and happy despite their poverty. With these characters Dickens is presenting the idea that Family is about love and togetherness not wealth. He presents this with a positive lexis of adjectives to describe the Cratchit’s mood, ‘contented’, ‘bright’ and ‘happy, grateful, pleased.’ The repetition of the idea of being cheerful despite their situation helps present the family as humble and with a certain resolve. Also the development of contrast in the extract with the use of ‘not’ or ‘nothing’ is used to emphasise what the Cratchits don’t have. The presentation of this family is also impacted by Dickens social manifesto of the time. He was a big believer in supporting the lower classes and regularly portrayed the lack of social care for children and the breakdown of families in his novels, such as Oliver Twist and David Copperfield. Dickens alludes to this in the extract by focusing specifically on Tiny Tim and foreshadowing the possible death of this innocent boy. With this extract Dickens is successfully making the reader feel sympathy for the Cratchits as well as admiring the Family’s spirit. This will add to the tension in Stave 4 when Scrooge is shown the family again.

9. I have used short quotes
Dickens presents the Cratchits as a poor, working class family who remain positive and happy despite their poverty. With these characters Dickens is presenting the idea that Family is about love and togetherness not wealth. He presents this with a positive lexis of adjectives to describe the Cratchit’s mood, ‘contented’, ‘bright’ and ‘happy, grateful, pleased.’ The repetition of the idea of being cheerful despite their situation helps present the family as humble and with a certain resolve. Also the development of contrast in the extract with the use of ‘not’ or ‘nothing’ is used to emphasise what the Cratchits don’t have. The presentation of this family is also impacted by Dickens social manifesto of the time. He was a big believer in supporting the lower classes and regularly portrayed the lack of social care for children and the breakdown of families in his novels, such as Oliver Twist and David Copperfield. Dickens alludes to this in the extract by focusing specifically on Tiny Tim and foreshadowing the possible death of this innocent boy. With this extract Dickens is successfully making the reader feel sympathy for the Cratchits as well as admiring the Family’s spirit. This will add to the tension in Stave 4 when Scrooge is shown the family again.
I have noticed the wording of the question and have explained how the topic is presented
I have used short quotes
I have ‘sprinkled’ my context in at a different point – I haven’t just waited until the end.
I have identified ‘methods’
I have referenced the writer as much as possible
I have discussed the impact on the audience