How to Approach the Modern Prose Question (Edexcel IGCSE English Literature)
Revision Note
Written by: Kate Lee
Reviewed by: Jenna Quinn
How to Approach the IGCSE Modern Prose Question
In Component 1, Section C of your Edexcel IGCSE English Literature (4ET1/01), you need to write an essay about a modern prose text.
You have a choice from five prose texts:
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee | Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck |
The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera | The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan |
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe |
You can approach the question in Section C with confidence by learning more about the exam question:
Section C: Modern Prose question overview
Understanding the exam question
Understanding the Assessment Objectives
Top grade tips for a Grade 9
Section C: Modern Prose question overview
You will have a choice of two questions for each prose text in Section C. Choose the question you feel most confident with.
Here is a summary:
Exam question | Modern 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 Edexcel IGCSE English Literature past papers (4ET1/01). Look at the wording of the questions and the question structure and themes. Can you identify any exam questions that would be challenging for you to answer?
IGCSE Edexcel English Literature Modern Prose questions June 2018 | ||||
To Kill a Mockingbird | Of Mice and Men | The Whale Rider | The Joy Luck Club | Things Fall Apart |
Explore the character of Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird | In what ways is loneliness an important theme in Of Mice and Men? | Explore the character of Kahu in this novel | In what ways is telling stories important in The Joy Luck Club? | How significant is the theme of fear in Things Fall Apart? |
OR | OR | OR | OR | OR |
How significant is the theme of the mockingbird in this novel? | ‘Crooks is a cruel and aloof character.’ Explore the character of Crooks in this novel | ‘This novel is not only about the survival of some whales.’ How important is the theme of survival in The Whale Rider? | Discuss the relationship between Lindo and Waverly Jong in the novel | Explore the relationship between Okonkwo and his wives |
You can significantly improve your exam performance by paying close attention to the question and understanding it thoroughly.
Understanding the Assessment Objectives
In Section C, there are two assessment objectives which are both equally weighted:
AO1 | Demonstrate a close knowledge and understanding of texts, maintaining a critical style and presenting an informed personal engagement |
AO4 | Show understanding of the relationships between texts and the contexts in which they were written |
AO1 requires you to develop an informed personal response while maintaining a critical style throughout. AO4 requires you to write about the relationship between the text and the context in which it was written.
Examiner Tips and Tricks
For context, you could comment on a range of elements, including:
the author's life
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.
Top grade tips for a grade 9
When responding to the Modern Prose question you should remember to:
Show the examiner your detailed knowledge of the text:
But never simply retell events from the narrative
Refer to specific examples throughout the novel and not just one section or chapter
Provide a range of examples from your chosen text:
Remember this is a closed book examination so examples can be specific references to episodes or events or paraphrased quotations
Keep your textual references succinct:
Textual references should be accurate and should fully support the points you make
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 you can write a Grade 9 IGCSE exam answer.
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