What The Question Is Asking (OCR A Level English Literature)

What The Question Is Asking

Component 1 requires you to answer three questions in 2 hours 30 minutes. You are required to answer one question in Section 1 (split into two parts)  and one question in Section 2. Each section is worth 30 marks. In Section 2 of Component 1, you will choose one of six questions and write an essay comparing two texts: one pre-1900 drama text and one pre-1900 poetry text. The following table outlines the texts that can be chosen:

The guide below will enable you to approach Section 2 of the Drama and Poetry Pre‑1900 question with confidence. This is divided into:

• Overview

• Breaking down the question

• Top tips

Overview

Section 2 of Component 1 is the comparative essay.

There will be six questions, each with a different thematic or literary focus. You must choose one question and base your answer on a comparative study with substantial discussion of both texts. In addition to AO1 (answering the question), Section 2 requires you to establish connections between your chosen texts from the genres of poetry and drama (AO4); demonstrate your appreciation of the significance of cultural and contextual influences on writers, readers and/or audiences (AO3) and read texts in a variety of ways and respond critically and creatively (AO5). 

You are expected to:

• Read the statement given in the task carefully and highlight its focus

• Demonstrate a developed and detailed understanding of the significance and influence of the contexts in which literary texts are written, as relevant to the focus of the question:

  • You are also expected to demonstrate your understanding of the significance and influence of the contexts in which the texts are received, again as relevant to the focus of the question

• In addition, you are required to engage in a detailed comparative analysis of the relationships between the texts

• You are expected to demonstrate your own knowledge of the genre via wide and independent reading in the chosen topic of study

• You are also expected to construct a well-structured, coherent and detailed argument, demonstrating your understanding of the question and the texts

The suggested timings for Section 2 are:

It is important to read and check your work, rather than to try to write as much as you can in the time allowed. Answers that are shorter, but more focused and concise, are often more successful.

Breaking down the question

For this question, you will be given six question options, each containing a point of view, statement or proposition. You will then be asked to consider both texts using the viewpoint, statement or proposition. The most common mistake students make in exams is not thoroughly understanding the question. By paying close attention to the question and understanding it thoroughly, you can significantly enhance your exam performance.

Below is an example of this task:

Top tips

• Strong answers focus carefully on the wording of the proposition in the question, and present a well-considered discussion that specifically addresses the prompt

• Answers should create a balanced comparative discussion, selecting well-chosen and relevant quotations from both texts:

  • Each paragraph should build upon thе prеvious onе, logically progrеssing thе discussion 

• Ensure you prioritise literary context and interpretations over generalised historical discussion

• Ensure you are answering the question, rather than what you think is being asked:

  • Avoid the temptation to write about your preferred area for discussion, rather than responding to the question set

  • The proposition in the questions will usually propose that a particular theme or idea is central or important to both texts

  • Therefore, make sure your answer focuses on this particular theme or idea, not one that you think is more important

• You should aim to move beyond formulaic approaches to essay structure (“PEE”, etc.) in order to liberate your expression of ideas:

  • It will enable you to explore complеx idеas and arguments without being confined by a prеdеtеrminеd structure

• Above all, prepared chunks of historical material should be avoided:

  • Treat critical views, performance examples and contextual information as “organic” elements of your response

• “Think more; write less!” is a good maxim to follow:

  • Use your time to think, read, plan and check your work

  • You are not expected to write as much as you possibly can in the time available

• Write with reasonable care and accuracy:

  • Time spent reading, planning and checking is always well spent

• The accuracy and legibility of your answer can make a substantial difference

• A focused (yet discursive) approach to this section of the paper is likely to be a successful one:

  • This approach allows for thе considеration of multiplе perspectives and provides a more nuanced undеrstanding of thе texts