GCSE ENGLISH LITERATURE J360

1. GCSE ENGLISH LITERATURE J360

2. Assessment Objectives: AO1 Respond to texts critically and imaginatively; select and evaluate relevant textual detail to illustrate and support interpretations When answering the question you must select relevant material from the play to comment on and quote, thus supporting your ideas. AO2 Explain how language, structure and form contribute to writers’ presentation of ideas, themes and settings You must incorporate comments on how the playwright uses language and structure to enhance/explore character, themes and ideas in the play. A662 – Modern Drama Paper

3. Band Descriptors Band 5 (some straightforward comments, a little support, a little response to language....) Band 4 (reasonably organised, some relevant support, understanding of some features of language....) Band 3 (developed personal response, use of appropriate support, understanding some features of language...) Band 2 (clear and well developed critical response, clear evaluation of supporting material, critical understanding of language. . .) Band 1 (sophisticated critical perception, cogent and precise evaluation, sensitive understanding of language....)

4. Preparing for the exam: Know your text – you will not have time in the exam to keep referring to your clean copy of the play. Revise pre-taught material but be prepared to adapt it to focus on the question set. Remember that you are studying the original text, not a filmed or stage version of it. However, you should refer to the ‘audience’ not the reader in your responses.

5. Choice of questions In the exam you will have the choice between the ‘extract based’ question and a general question. Choose your question carefully – do the one that you feel most confident about. Only answer ONE question – remember the extract is only set for the first question.

6. Extract Based Questions In an extract based question, you must stay focused on the extract set - devote at least two thirds of your answer to discussing, quoting from and commenting on the extract itself. References to the wider play should be firmly rooted in your comments on the extract. You must quote from the extract briefly and frequently to support your points. You must answer the question set – do not just write a general analysis of the passage.

7. Extract based Questions Do not spend much time putting the extract ‘in context’, but do so briefly in your opening paragraph. Devote at least two thirds of your answer to discussing, quoting from and commenting on the extract itself. Begin your essay by briefly locating the extract in the context of the whole play and establish the dramatic context for the characters and audience. Pay close attention to the build up of dramatic detail in the extract.

8. General/Discursive Questions You must focus on the question set – make sure you understand what it is asking. You must select relevant sections of the play to look at – how well you do this will have an impact on your mark. You must use brief and frequent quotes to support your points. Show a sharp awareness of audience response at key moments. Conclude strongly but don’t repeat points in your conclusion.

9. Don’t...... Produce generalised answers, failing to look at the extract, or act as though you don’t know the rest of the play. Fail to quote. Ignore the question. Only comment on one part of the play in a general question. Ignore one strand in a two-stranded question. Completely lose focus on the question. Include pre-taught material with no relevance to the question set.

10. Do..... See yourself as a member of an audience, not a reader. See stage directions as part of the dramatic action Pay attention to the wording of the question, especially in your opening paragraph. Integrate brief frequent quotations. Avoid pre-planned answers – use your knowledge to answer the question. Keep focused on the question.

11. Questions? GOOD LUCK IN A662