Task 2: What the Question is Asking (OCR A Level English Literature)

Task 2: What the Question is Asking

Component 2 may seem like a complicated exam paper at first. You are required to answer two questions, and for the second question you are given a choice of three options. However, the questions you are asked to answer on this paper are always written in a similar way, and will be firmly based in your studied topic area. As a reminder, the topic areas are:

• American Literature - Questions 1 and 2 (a), (b) or (c)

• The Gothic - Questions 3 and 4 (a), (b) or (c)

• Dystopia - Questions 5 and 6 (a), (b) or (c)

• Women in Literature - Questions 7 and 8 (a), (b) or (c)

• The Immigrant Experience - Questions 9 and 10 (a), (b) or (c)

The guide below will enable you to approach the second task (the comparative essay) with confidence. This is divided into:

• Overview

• Breaking down the question

• Top tips

Overview

As Component 2 requires you to answer two questions in 2 hours 30 minutes, you have 1 hour 15 minutes to plan, write and check each essay. Each question is worth 30 marks. Your second task is the comparative essay.

You will be given a choice of three essays: the first two essays will ask you to specifically compare one of the two core texts from your topic area with at least one other text prescribed for that topic. The third essay will ask you to compare at least two texts prescribed for the topic, but will not specify which texts. You should choose only one of the three essays to answer, and 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 Task 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 three question options, each containing a point of view, statement or proposition. You will then be asked to discuss how far you agree with 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 from the topic of American Literature: 

Top tips

• Strong answers focus carefully on the wording of the proposition in the question, and present a well-considered argument that really addresses the “Discuss how far you agree” prompt

• Answers should create a balanced comparative discussion, selecting well-chosen and relevant quotations from both primary and secondary material

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

• It is essential to ensure you are answering the questions on the correct topic that you have studied:

  • Do not just automatically answer Question 2 unless you have studied American Literature as your topic!

  • Likewise, ensure you choose only one of the three essay choices for this task

• 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 of idea is central or important to the topic area

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

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