The coursework is set and assessed internally by your centre and moderated externally by the exam board. The component as a whole is worth 25 marks and is made up of a portfolio of two assignments. Each assignment should be 600–1200 words in length, including quotations but excluding references and a bibliography. Each assignment must be on a different text and based on the study of a complete text. One of the assignments may be on a set text for Papers 1, 2 or 3. If poetry or short stories are used, then you must cover a minimum of two poems or short stories. You can write your assignments electronically or by hand, and you can discuss them in general terms with your teacher, but your teacher is not allowed to proofread, correct or mark your draft assignments. If your assignments are significantly over or under the word count, you may lose marks.
In your response you are expected to:
- Demonstrate your knowledge of the text through reference to detail and the use of accurate, relevant quotations
- Show that you understand the main ideas and explicit meanings in the text, 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 text
- Demonstrate your understanding of the text, and the question
- Be sensitive to imagery and language to develop an informed personal response to the text
It is important to plan, re-read and check your work.