LIT

Format

Section A (14m)

Short Questions/MCQ

4m question --> paragraph

Section B

Passage B 1 Essay Question (12m)

Key things

Characters

Themes

Prejudice

Appearance vs Reality

What is the crucial roles in determining the outcome of teh work

STEAL + MOB

Types of Questions

Recognise where the passage comes from the in play.

Appreciate the significance of the passage. Ask yourself:

Consider if the question requires you to refer to the passage alone or make reference to the text as a whole.

At what point in the text does the extract occur? Look for clues in the extract to help you. Are there any characters or events mentioned to help you place the scene accurately?

What is the importance of the passage both in terms of what has happened immediately before and in terms of what happens immediately after ?

What is the crucial role in determining the outcome of the work?

Does the passage serve to reveal important aspects of character ? What can you infer about the character’s personality, motivations, blindspots, thoughts, feelings and attitudes ? How?

Does the passage serve to illustrate any important themes ? How?

Locate the extract within the text as a whole.

At what point in the text does the extract occur? Look for clues in the extract to help you. Are there any characters or events mentioned to help you place the scene accurately?

For questions pertaining to the specific passage only:

Make close reference to the passage. However, keep in mind to combine your response with your overall knowledge of the text to make general points about a person’s character.

Example of Questions:

When and where does the incident take place ?

Name 2 aspects of his character that X shows in this passage.

During this scene, it is clear that character Y is emotionally upset. Explain with evidence from the passage.

For questions that pertain to scenes outside of the extract, use the extract as a reference point and select pertinent evidence from another scene.

What do you observe about the diverse character traits of X ? Explain your answer with close reference to suitable evidence, from this excerpt and another scene in the play.

Response

  1. annotate the given passage
  1. annotate the question

3.Ensure 1st line of the essay addresses to the demands of the question and states your stand. Each paragraph is aligned to supporting your argument/observations

  1. Diverse traits - suggest more than one trait; traits are possibly in opposition (positive vs negative)

Substantiation

  1. Cite short specific relevant quotes from the text to support each point

Analysis

  1. Characters' motivations
  1. Characters' speech - what does it reveal about their thoughts and feelings?
  1. What effect on others does this character have (what did you do or say?) e.g.Portia's actions - effect on Shylock
  1. Explain the effect of literary devices eg situational irony, puns, use of diction (word choice)

Analysis

Quote speech/action

literary devices

motivation

effect on others

thoughts/feelings

character trait

anthesis

figuratice language

diction (+/-)

irony

repetition

Skills and Practice

  1. Make sure you know the play really well

Plot and structure

Context

Characters

Language

Themes

Performance

  1. Revision

Extracts

Characters

Themes

  1. Improving exam technique

Essay-style questions

What the character looks/sounds like

What the character says about himself/herself and about others

How the character interacts with various different characters

How the character may be compared/contrasted with others

What the character does - his/her actions and/or reactions in the play

What kind of language the character uses when speaking

Extract-based questions

When writing answers based on an extract, use a pen or highlighter to underline key words or phrases in the extract that strike you as important.

  1. Answering the question

structure your answer logically

target the precise demands of the question

avoid missing out points that are crucial to your argument

include appropriate quotations