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Tackling The Literature Exam Poetry Question (Section B). The Poetry question is Section B of the Literature paper, but remember it is worth more marks than the prose question – Poetry Question - 36 marks, or 40% of the final grade Prose Question – 27 marks, or 30% of the final grade
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Tackling The Literature Exam Poetry Question (Section B)
The Poetry question is Section B of the Literature paper, but remember it is worth more marks than the prose question – • Poetry Question - 36 marks, or 40% of the final grade • Prose Question – 27 marks, or 30% of the final grade • (Your Literature Coursework accounts for the other 30%) • Therefore you should aim to spend longer on Section B than on Section A. • Altogether you have 1 hour 45 minutes for the Literature exam, so you should spend at most 45 minutes on Section A and allow at least one hour for your poetry. • You may even wish to consider answering Section B FIRST, spend the hour on it, THEN do Section A.
Tackling The Literature Exam Prose Question (Section A)
Marking Prose Essays Not compared across – no more than C, no matter how good! Less than a page – no more than D! No quotes – no more than C, no matter what! Grade C – efforts to compare across and use of connectives, using quotes with some PQE, talking about writer not characters, covered number of points Grade B – all for C plus good examples of PQE, understanding why writer has used language for effects, clear structure Grade A/A* – all for B plus original ideas, fluent, evidence of “engaging” with texts, i.e. understanding and enthusiasm!
Structuring your Answer In the exam, the examiner will want to see well-structured answers. Your ideas should be organised and logically developed. You need to make a point, explore the stories you’re comparing, then move on to another point. • ANSWER the question – highlight the key words and keep referring back to make sure you’re on track. • PLAN before you start writing • PARAGRAPH, signposting at the start to tell your reader what you’re about to discuss, eg “Carey’s setting…”, “The theme of both stories…” etc. • LINK points and paragraphs using connectives. These connectives should indicate whether you are making a comparison or showing a difference. • SUM UP - As you finish a point, sum up how the idea or evidence you’ve just provided answers the question. Leave time for a conclusion.
Some Dos and Don’ts… Remember to write about the author and his characters/themes/message/devices/language etc – don’t retell the stories and don’t write about the characters as if they are real. You can refer to the “writer” or “author” or call them by their surnames – but don’t call them by their first names and don’t here call them “poets”. Joyce Carey and Leslie Norris are both male – so use “he” and “his” when referring to them! Keep quotes brief and to the point – you waste time if you quote at length and lose impact. Embed quoted words and phrases in your discussion.