Part B: How To Get Full Marks (OCR A Level English Literature)

How To Get Full Marks

Regardless of which topic you are studying, the type of question asked for the first task will always be the same. You will be asked to write a critical appreciation of a passage taken from a piece of literature from your topic’s genre, and relate it to your wider reading in your chosen topic area.

It is tempting to jump straight in and start writing immediately. However, following this guide will ensure you answer the question in the way the examiners are looking for.

Below you will find sections on:

• What skills are required

• Steps for success

What skills are required

In part (b) you need to develop an argument about a Shakespeare text by offering alternative views about a proposition. 

Each question on your exam paper has particular assessment objectives. For part (b) you are assessed on AO1, which assesses the way you present your response in an accurate and coherent manner, so as long as you keep your response sharply focused on the question, you will perform well. AO5 asks you to incorporate an exploration of different interpretations of texts in your answer, considering critical approaches and theories in relation to the focus of the question. 

The following sections explore the skills you will need to demonstrate mastery of these AOs in more detail:

• Interpretations (AO5)

• Developing an argument (AO1)

Interpretations (AO5)

In part (b) you are required to develop your argument by offering alternative views about a proposition. This hits AO1 (developing an argument) and AO5 (considering different interpretations of the play).

When you construct an argument it is unlikely that you will completely agree or disagree with the proposition about your Shakespeare text. Your answer should therefore be nuanced and offer alternative views:

• Address your set text from the interpretative and critical perspectives of important contemporary movements and issues

• You are more likely to perform well on the paper if you keep in mind the dominant assessment objective for each part: this is AO5 [different interpretations0 in Section 2 (b)

• Professional critical views and instances from performance history of the play should be cited to good effect:

  • Including these can significantly еnhancе thе dеpth and crеdibility of your analysis

• You can also develop your argument by linking your points:

  • Think of a proposition about the text you are studying

  • Next, come up with a personal and creative response to the proposition

  • Then inform or support your answer with different interpretations (AO5)

  • Try to then move your argument gradually towards the opposing view

Developing an argument (AO1)

You will also succeed if you bear in mind the importance of coherent, accurate expression (AO1): 

• You should try to respond flexibly and imaginatively to the demands of the questions set

• Answering the question set is an important determining factor for the success of an answer and one of the key matters examiners keep in mind when judging the quality of your response

• A personal and genuine response to your Shakespeare text will produce a more impressive effect than a rehearsed presentation of established views

• Better answers tend to synthesise a developing argument

• Examiners will reward original but well-focused answers and implicit as well as explicit responses to questions.

• Try to write imaginatively and with a fresh, creative approach:

  • Your response should not hindered by rehearsed, generalised ideas

• Examiners will accept a wide range of responses to the question 

Steps for success

To do well in this task, you need to identify the focus of the question and to what extent you agree with the proposition. The most important part of the question is the statement because this gives you a clear proposition on which to base your argument. 

It is tempting to jump straight in and start writing your response immediately. However, completing the steps below first will ensure you answer the question in the way that examiners are looking for:

• Ensure you are answering the questions on your chosen topic area:

  1. This may seem obvious, but this is one of the most common reasons for a rubric infringement in this part of the exam

• Read the proposition and the question carefully and highlight the focus of the question:

  1. Ensure you have identified both what the proposition is suggesting, and your position in relation to it (how far you agree)

• Plan your answer:

  1. Start by deciding on your argument in relation to the focus of the question

  2. Develop a thesis statement (AO1) which demonstrates to the examiner that you have understood the focus of the question

  3. Include any quotations or close textual references you will be using in your response

  4. Refer to different interpretations of the text and how they have responded (AO5)

• Follow your plan and write your response:

  1. Ensure each paragraph starts with a confident topic sentence

  2. Then flesh out each paragraph with a series of ‘sub-points’ which ‘prove’ your topic sentences

• Re-read and check your work for overall sense and accuracy (AO1)