GCSE ENGLISH LITERATURE AQA GCSE ENGLISH AND

PAPER 1 SHAKESPEARE AND THE 19TH CENTURY NOVEL 64 MARKS (40%)

1 HOUR 45 MINUTES 15 minutes reading time; 45 minutes for each section. ENGLISH LITERATURE
SECTION A 34 MARKS (4 FOR SPAG) SHAKESPEARE EXAM GUIDE
There will be ONE question on the play you have studied.
There will be a short extract from the play and the question will ask you to Your two year English course will focus on developing your skills in reading,
write about both the extract and the whole play in reference to the focus writing and speaking and listening. You will study 4 texts: a Shakespeare play, a
given.
19th century novel, a modern novel or play and a collection of poetry linked by
Assessed for AO1, AO2 and AO3.
SECTION B 30 MARKS 19TH CENTURY NOVEL the theme of either Love and Relationships or Power and Conflict.
There will be ONE question on the play you have studied.
At the end of the course, you will sit 4 examinations which will allow you to
There will be a short extract from the novel and the question will ask you to
write about both the extract and the whole novel in reference to the focus demonstrate your knowledge, understanding and skills in response to unseen
given. passages of literary texts, non-literary texts and poetry and in writing about the
Assessed for AO1, AO2 and AO3. texts you have studied. You will not have copies of the studied texts in the
PAPER 2 MODERN TEXTS AND POETRY 96 MARKS (60%) examinations for English Literature.
2 HOURS 15 MINUTES - 45 minutes for each section
SECTION A 34 MARKS (4 FOR SPAG) MODERN TEXTS This guide explains what you will have to do in each examination. Keep it safe
There will be TWO questions for each text and you will choose ONE. so that you can prepare effectively and approach the exams with confidence.
You will respond in essay form to your chosen question. Your teachers will explain the assessment objectives (AOs) for each question.
Assessed for AO1, AO2 and AO3.
SECTION B 30 MARKS ANTHOLOGY POETRY SPEAKING AND LISTENING
There will be ONE question for the cluster you have studied. You will have many opportunities to develop your oral communication skills
One poem from the cluster will be printed on the exam paper together with a
during the course. As part of the GCSE English Language specification, you will
list of all the poems in the cluster.
You will be asked to COMPARE the poem printed with ONE other poem of research, plan and deliver a formal presentation which will include you
your choice from the cluster. responding to questions from your audience. This is an important skill in most
Assessed for AO1, AO2 and AO3. careers and is often expected in interviews for university and employment.
SECTION C 32 MARKS UNSEEN POETRY
There will be TWO new poems for you to read in this section and TWO You and your teachers will work together to choose an appropriate topic and
questions to answer. task to work on which may link to a personal interest. You will be expected to
QUESTION 1 24 marks address the audience directly using cue cards as support if necessary.
You will write about the first poem only.
Assessed for AO1 and AO2. You will be assessed against a set of criteria which your teachers will share with
QUESTION 2 8 marks you leading to the achievement of pass, merit or distinction. This outcome will
You will be asked to COMPARE the similarities and/or differences in the ways be reported on your final GCSE certificate but will not count towards your final
the TWO poets have presented their ideas using details from both poems.
grade award for English Language.
Assessed for AO2 only.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE PAPER 1 TIME: 1 HOUR 45 MINUTES ENGLISH LANGUAGE PAPER 2 TIME: 1 HOUR 45 MINUTES
EXPLORATIONS IN CREATIVE READING AND WRITING WRITERS’ VIEPOINTS AND PERSPECTIVES
Source: an extract from a 20th or 21st century novel TWO sources: an extract from a 19thcentury non-fiction extract and a non-fiction
ONE text extract printed as a complete text and then in sections within the extract from either the 20th or 21st century.
question booklet. The question stems will always be the same. Both extracts will be printed in a separate insert to allow you to access them
The exam time includes 15 minutes for reading the source extract. when answering the questions in the answer booklet. The question stems will
Q1 AO1 List 4 things – this is a quick comprehension question always be the same.
4 marks Your focus: identify explicit information and ideas from reading The exam time includes 15 minutes for reading the source extracts.
5 minutes the opening part of the extract. You can use quotes or paraphrase. Q1 AO1 True/false statements – this is a quick comprehension question
4 marks You will be asked to shade boxes to mark 4 TRUE statements
Q2 AO2 How does the writer’s use of language……? 5 minutes about source 1.
You will be asked to select examples of interesting language use
8 marks from a section of the text and then comment, explain and analyse Q2 AO1 Write a summary…..
the details you select. You will be asked to write about the similarities or differences
10 minutes There will be bullet points to suggest the focus for your answer. 8 marks between the two sources against a specific focus related to the
themes/ideas in the texts. You will need to select evidence –
Q3 AO2 How does the writer structure……..?
8 minutes quotations to support what you write.
You will be asked to write about how the writer has organised the
No bullet points are given here.
8 marks whole extract by looking at techniques like narrative voice,
Q3 AO2 How does the writer’s use of language……?
sequencing, shifts in focus etc.
You will be asked to select examples of interesting language use
10 minutes There will be bullet points to suggest the focus for your answer.
12 marks from any part of source 2 and then comment, explain and analyse
Q4 AO4 To what extent do you agree…….? the details you select.
This question involves critical evaluation. You will be responding to 12 minutes No bullet points are given here.
20 marks a statement about part of the extract and will be writing about
Q4 AO3 How do the writers present…..?
your response to the extract and the statement with evidence of
This question requires comparison. You will be asked to COMPARE
20 - 25 how and why you feel and respond as you do.
16 marks the ways writers present their ideas in the two extracts using
minutes
evidence from both.
There will be bullet points to suggest a focus for your answer.
20 minutes There will be bullet points to suggest a focus for your answer.
Q5 You will have a choice of 2 writing tasks and these will always be
WRITING either narrative or descriptive or one of each with a link to the Q5 There will be ONE writing task linked to the topic of the reading
themes of the reading source. WRITING sources and inviting you to express your point of view in a formal
40 MARKS There will be a picture to inspire one of the tasks. piece of writing for a given audience and purpose
You will be expected to plan your writing in your answer booklet 40 MARKS You will be expected to plan your writing in your answer booklet
45 minutes and it will be important to check the accuracy of your writing. and it will be important to check the accuracy of your writing.
45 minutes
AO5 24marks available for content and organisation AO5 24marks available for content and organisation.
AO6 16 marks for your use of vocabulary, grammar and accuracy of AO6 16 marks for your use of vocabulary, grammar and accuracy of
spelling and punctuation. spelling and punctuation.