How to Approach the 19th-Century Prose Question (WJEC Eduqas GCSE English Literature)

Revision Note

Nick Redgrove

Written by: Nick Redgrove

Reviewed by: Kate Lee

How to Approach the 19th-Century Prose Question

In Component 2, Section B of your Eduqas GCSE English Literature exam, you need to write an essay about a 19th-century prose text.

You have a choice from six prose texts: 

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Silas Marner by George Eliot

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

You can approach the question in Section B with confidence by learning more about the exam question: 

  • Section B: 19th-century prose question overview

  • Understanding the exam question

  • Understanding the assessment objectives

  • Top tips for a Grade 9

Section B: 19th-century prose question overview

You will have one question for each prose text in Section B. You are required to write about an extract from the text and include analysis of the rest of the novel in the same response.

Here is a summary: 

Exam question 

19th-century prose question

Time that you should spend on the question

45 minutes  

Number of marks

40 marks

How much you should write

Approx. 3–4 paragraphs

This is a closed-book examination, meaning that you will not have access to a copy of the text in the exam.

Understanding the exam question

Below are some recent examples of exam questions from Eduqas GCSE English Literature past papers. Look at the wording of the questions and the question structure. Can you identify any exam questions that would be challenging for you to answer?

GCSE Eduqas English Literature 19th-century prose questions, June 2019

A Christmas Carol 

Write about some members of the Cratchit family and how they are important to the novel as a whole

Silas Marner

Write about the importance of money in Silas Marner and how George Eliot presents this at different points in the novel

War of the Worlds

Write about some of the ways people react to the Martian invasion. How are these reactions presented at different points in the novel?

Pride and Prejudice

Write about the relationship between Elizabeth and Jane and how it is presented at different points in the novel

Jane Eyre 

The female characters in Jane Eyre struggle to be treated fairly.’ Write about some of the times female characters are treated unfairly and how this is presented in the novel

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

Write about Dr Jekyll and how he is presented at different points in the novel

You can significantly improve your exam performance by paying close attention to the question and understanding it thoroughly. 

Exam question on "A Christmas Carol" by Dickens. Instructions for a 45-minute essay with annotations: analyze writer's language, refer to text context, and use extract. "40 marks.

Understanding the assessment objectives

In Section B, there are three assessment objectives which are all equally weighted:

 

AO1

Demonstrate a close knowledge and understanding of texts, maintaining a critical style and presenting an informed personal response

 

AO2

Analyse the language, form and structure used by a writer to create meanings and effects, using relevant subject terminology where appropriate

AO3

Show understanding of the relationships between texts and the contexts in which they were written

Examiner Tips and Tricks

Ensure that anything you write about context applies specifically to the novel in question: writing a biography of the author will waste valuable time unless it's directly relevant to the text. For context, you could comment on a range of elements, including:

  • The author's life or beliefs (if relevant)

  • The historical setting, time and location of the novel

  • The social and cultural context

  • The literary context

  • How the text has been critically received at different times  

The most successful responses integrate references to context throughout, often using context to support and develop points for AO1. Having separate sections on context will only result in a loss of focus on the question.

Top tips for a Grade 9

When responding to the 19th-century prose question you should remember to: 

  • Write well-developed and detailed analysis of the language, form and structure of the extract and the novel as a whole

  • Show the examiner your detailed knowledge of the whole text, never simply retelling events from the narrative: 

    • Rather than focusing on just one section or chapter, refer to specific examples throughout the novel

  • Aim to place the extract in the context of the rest of the text:

  • Consider its location to the preceding and subsequent events in the novel 

  • Remember, the extract has been specifically chosen for you to use to answer your essay:

    • This means it will contain many lines that you can use as evidence in your essay

    • The whole of the extract should be considered and there will be a good reason why it begins and ends where it does 

  • Provide a range of examples from the whole text:

    • Remember this is a closed book examination so examples can be specific references to episodes or events or paraphrased quotations

    • Use the extract for direct quotes

  • Bear in mind the type of novel you are writing about and how different audiences may respond to it

  • The 19th century was a time of huge change, so explore how the time in which the novel is set, and written, may have had an impact on the narrative 

  • Link all contextual points with an example from the novel:

    • Often AO3 is naturally illustrated through the actions, events, themes and characters of the novel

    • Integrate contextual comments throughout your response rather than writing separate sentences or bolt-on paragraphs

    • Context should not outweigh evidence from the novel

Find out more about how to write a Grade 9 19th-century prose exam answer.

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Nick Redgrove

Author: Nick Redgrove

Expertise: English Senior Content Creator

Nick is a graduate of the University of Cambridge and King’s College London. He started his career in journalism and publishing, working as an editor on a political magazine and a number of books, before training as an English teacher. After nearly 10 years working in London schools, where he held leadership positions in English departments and within a Sixth Form, he moved on to become an examiner and education consultant. With more than a decade of experience as a tutor, Nick specialises in English, but has also taught Politics, Classical Civilisation and Religious Studies.

Kate Lee

Author: Kate Lee

Expertise: English and Languages Lead

Kate has over 12 years of teaching experience as a Head of English and as a private tutor. Having also worked at the exam board AQA and in educational publishing, she's been writing educational resources to support learners in their exams throughout her career. She's passionate about helping students achieve their potential by developing their literacy and exam skills.