GCSE English Literature

What skills are you being assessed for in English

Literature exam?

Discuss on your tables

GCSE English Literature

The Literature exam tests your:

• understanding of the texts

• ability to use PQC effectively

• awareness of the effects created by language and structure

What is PQC?

P

Q

C

Point

Quote

Comment

The speaker of the poem seems almost angry about the way

people treat her grief.

‘Their piteous platitudes of pain’

The alliteration of the three wordsmakes the speaker sound like they

are spitting out the words in disgust.

Literature texts…

WWI Poetry

(side nearest window)

Empire of the Sun

(middle)

Death of a Salesman

(side nearest corridor)

Write down words you associate with one text

(which table can get the most points?)

GCSE English LiteratureEnglish Literature is assessed through

2 exam papers:

Drama paper (45 minutes)Death of a Salesman

Poetry and Prose (1 hour 30 minutes)WWI poetry (section H)

Empire of the Sun

For all the Literature texts you will have a choice of 3 questions – choose ONE!

Plan- write- check

It is really important to plan your answer and check it before the exam finishes.

Get into the habit of structuring your time:

5 min plan

35 min write

5 min check

Poetry QuestionYou will have a choice of 3 questions.

Answer one of them!

Q1 passage based (given 2 poems to compare)

Q2 theme based comparing 2 named poems

Q3 theme based comparing 2 from a given selection.

You must use PQC and comment on the effect of language and structure (ie lines, rhyme, rhythm)

Similarities/differences?

Refer to both poems

What should we look for in a poem?

You must show an understanding of the

content (theme, character)

form (structure, rhyme)

language (words, images, effects)

And its impact on the question

– eg how do the words/images used help the writer create a feeling of…..?

- What feeling does the ABAB rhyme scheme create?

Practice poetry question

PAIRS - PLAN your response (remember to think about how you’ll order your points)

Compare the way writers

convey the horror of war

in two poems.

What sub-themes are there for ‘horrors of war’?

Structuring your response

Compare the way writers

convey the horror of war

in two poems.

Soldiers’ experiences

Psychological impact

war craft

Use of imagerySights and sounds

emotions

How many did you get?

Empire of the SunYou will have a choice of 3 questions.

Answer one of them!

Q1 passage basedQ2 theme/character basedQ3 more open question (eg discussing a

statement)

You must use PQC and comment on the effect of language on the reader

Empire of the sun – character and themes

Look at photos of each character as they appear.

Consider:

Description

Interaction

Motivation

Call out or note down words to describe them.

EXTN- what role does this character play in the novel?

JIM

BASIE

MR MAXTED

Dr Ransome

DRAMA PAPERThere will be a choice of 3 questions

Answer ONE of these!

Q1 passage based

Q2 theme/drama/character based

Q3 empathetic writing*

* Note- Q3 is different in that you are writing from the perspective of a character but you need to show excellent understanding of the events and emotions in the play

Death of a Salesman:Dramatic impact and characterisation

Watch the clip from the film of Death of a Salesman

1.How does this extract show the character of Linda? Happy? Biff?

2. Who has control in the scene? Why?

Example empathetic task

You are Linda after telling Biff and Happy about the gas pipe. Write your thoughts.

REVISION TIP - put yourself into the character’s shoes:

•What has happened up to this point? •How are they feeling now? •How would they express themselves?

IN PAIRS/ SMALL GROUPS-

Improvise a conversation between Linda, Biff and Happy discussing the gas pipe.

THEN – note down some ideas to include in your empathetic response.

How can I revise for Literature?Re-read the text…or

even take parts and act it out!

Locate,highlight and annotate key

sections of the text

Make PQC tables of themes

Make flash cards on characters and events

Select key quotes to record onto tape and listen to.

Make revision posters to stick around the house:

CharactersThemes

Timed exam planning and/or writing