Paper 1 Overview (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE English Literature)
Revision Note
Written by: Deb Orrock
Reviewed by: Nick Redgrove
Paper 1: You will have two questions to answer: one on a poetry set text and one on a prose set text.
The exam paper can be summarised as follows:
Paper | Questions | Time | Marks | % of GCSE grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Paper 1: Poetry and Prose | 2 (one on poetry and one on prose) | 1 hour 30 minutes | 50 (25 marks per question) | 50% |
The questions are equally weighted (meaning that they are worth the same) and each question tests all four Assessment Objectives. These are the key skills you are expected to demonstrate in your responses to each question. To be successful, you must explain and analyse how writers have conveyed their meanings through a wide range of different language and structure devices, and you must do this in conjunction with relevant evidence selected from the texts. Examiners expect you to include slightly different things in your responses to poetry and prose.
Assessment Objective | Definition | What this means |
|---|---|---|
AO1 | Show detailed knowledge of the content of literary texts supported by reference to the text | You need to demonstrate your knowledge of the text through reference to details in the text and via the use of accurate, relevant quotations from the text Your use of quotations and indirect references to the text should support your views or arguments The quotations you choose should help you develop explanations of meanings, significance and context in your response |
AO2 | Understand the meanings of literary texts and their contents and explore texts beyond surface meanings to show deeper awareness of ideas and attitudes | You need to show that you understand the main ideas, settings, events and characters in the text You need to demonstrate that you understand implied or hidden meanings in the text You should also demonstrate that you understand the significance of a part of a text in relation to the text as a whole |
AO3 | Recognise and appreciate ways in which writers use language, structure and form to create and shape meanings and effects | You need to be able to analyse, in detail, the choices the writer has made and how they use language, structure and form to convey impressions and ideas, or to present settings, characters or events You therefore need to be familiar with the techniques a writer might use to achieve specific effects for readers or audiences |
AO4 | Communicate a sensitive and informed personal response to literary texts | This refers to how you shape your writing in such a way as to communicate your engagement with the text Your personal, evaluative response has to be supported with references to the text A personal response begins by demonstrating understanding of the question and the text in the introduction You should be sensitive to imagery and sound, and you should be informed by the words of the texts This Assessment Objective can also be explicitly addressed and reinforced in a well-developed conclusion |
You will be given a choice of two questions in each section of the exam paper. This means there will be two questions to choose from on your studied poetry anthology, and two questions to choose from on your studied prose text. Because there are so many text options, it is really important that you read through the exam instructions carefully, and make sure you have selected the correct questions and texts according to what you have studied.
This is a closed-book exam. This means that you will not be allowed to take your copy of the texts into the exam room. However, relevant passages and poems will be printed on the exam paper for you.
Command words and keywords
There are several command words and keywords used in this exam paper that you should be familiar with:
Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
Explore | This means you should write in detail about the focus of the question |
How (does the writer…) | This means that you should examine the techniques the writer has used in order to achieve particular effects or meanings |
Vividly (convey…) | This asks you to explore how the writer gets across their ideas or meanings in a way that produces powerful feelings or strong, clear images in the mind |
How far/To what extent… | This means that there may be an element of the text that allows you to make a counter-argument |
Portray | This asks you to explore how the writer describes or brings a character or a theme to life in the text |
Memorable | This asks you to examine how the writer presents a character, event or theme in a way that stands out and is worth remembering |
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