You should answer one question in this exam on one set text. You can choose to answer either Question A or Question B about the play you have studied. Question B will present you with a question that applies to the whole of the play. This Question is worth 25 marks and assesses all four Assessment Objectives. You have 45 minutes to answer this question.
In your response you are expected to:
- Demonstrate your knowledge of the play through reference to detail and the use of accurate, relevant quotations from the text
- Show that you understand the main ideas and explicit meanings in the play, as well as the implied or hidden meanings
- Analyse, in detail, the choices the writer has made in terms of their use of language, structure and form to convey impressions and ideas
- Shape your writing in such a way as to communicate your engagement with the play
- Demonstrate your understanding of the play, and the question
- Be sensitive to imagery, sound and language to develop an informed personal response to the play
The suggested timings for Question B the essay question are:
10 minutes
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- Highlight the key words in the question
- Make a brief plan of the structure of your answer
- Include which specific references to the play you are going to make that are relevant to the focus of the question
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30 minutes
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- Follow your plan or annotations
- Write your response
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5 minutes
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- Re-read and check your response
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It is important to read and check your work, rather than to try to write as much as you can in the time allowed. Answers that are shorter, but more focused and concise, are often more successful.