AS level English Literature

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Session 1 - Unit 2

Section A: named poem

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Section B: themed essay

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Unit 2 exam paper breakdown

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• 2 hours
• Open book (clean copy)

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Section A: Named poem – choice of 2 questions (answer only one) 40 marks

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Section B: Essay question – choice of 2 questions (answer only one) 80 marks

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Question (i) – named poem/extract

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Question (i) is out of 40 marks, and you’re advised to spend about 45 minutes on this question. You’re only assessed through AO1 and AO2. Their weightings are:

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AO1 - 20 marks

AO2 - 20 marks

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Assessment Objectives – what exactly do they mean?

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AO1 - Articulate informed, personal and creative responses to literary texts, using associated concepts and terminology, and coherent, accurate written expression (20 marks)

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Band 5 – to get full marks:

• Sophisticated, creative and individual response to poem/extract; ideas are thoughtful and response is fully engaged and relevant;
• confident, perceptive application of literary concepts and terminology;
• effectively organised; demonstrates flair;
• high levels of technical accuracy and adopts a clear academic style and register.

Assessment Objectives – what exactly do they mean?

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AO2 - Analyse ways in which meanings are shaped in literary texts (20 marks)

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Band 5 – to get full marks:

• Perceptive, sophisticated analysis and evaluation of writer’s use of language and poetic techniques to create meaning;
• confident and apt textual support;
• confident discussion of implicit meaning.

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No further AOs are assessed in the named extract/poem question!

Before we begin: The importance of correct terminology – you’re writing about poetry after all!

The full glossary of poetic terms can be found in the accompanying resources in the

e-sgol Teams folder.

How should I tackle question 1-10?

A step-by-step approach

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1) Read the two questions associated with the poets you’ve studied, and highlight key words/commands. Choose one question.

2) Re-read the poem/section of the poem you are directed to without making notes

3) Get an overview of the poem in the light of the task

4) Re-read the poem, making notes this time (tone, key words, imagery, allusions, poetic techniques etc.), based on the task, in your answer booklet

5) Review your notes in light of the key words from the question

6) Write your response focusing on the task, the poem and AO2.

Step 1

How should I tackle Section 1-10?

Steps 2-4

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2) Re-read the poem/section you are directed to without making notes

3) Get an overview of the poem in the light of the task

4) Re-read the poem, making notes this time (tone, key words, imagery, allusions, poetic techniques etc.), based on the task, in your answer booklet

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As you have 45 minutes to complete this task, give yourself enough time to think about what the poet is trying to say about the journey. Which ideas will be included in your opening paragraph/ overview?

Re-read the poem. This time highlight or underline key words and phrases which link to the question focus. You can also jot down brief notes in your answer booklet.

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Unit 2: Named poem practice – do’s and don’ts

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Do

• Start your response directly and relevantly
• Look for patterns of language and imagery
• Make and support points succinctly
• Use tentative language
• Use technical terminology to demonstrate the extent of your understanding
• Take care with your expression, remember to paragraph, and remember to proof-read your response once you’ve finished.

Unit 2: Named poem practice – do’s and don’ts

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Don’t

• Start at the first line of the poem/extract and work through line by line
• Write descriptively or narratively about the poem – being succinct is the key
• Make extended/extensive/chunked references to context
• Use very long quotations or copy out large chunks of the text
• Use technical terms descriptively and for their own sake.