How to Write a Grade 9 Modern Prose Essay (Edexcel IGCSE English Literature)
Revision Note
Written by: Kate Lee
Reviewed by: Jenna Quinn
How to Write a Grade 9 Modern Prose Essay
To get a Grade 9 in the Modern Novel section of the Edexcel IGCSE English Literature exam, you need to know how to write an effective essay.
In Component 1, Section C, you are assessed on two assessment objectives (AO1 and AO4). AO1 requires you to write an informed personal response and AO4 requires you to comment on the relationship between the text and the context in which it was written.
Find out how to approach the exam question:
Exam skill 1: Developing an informed personal response (AO1)
Exam skill 2: Understanding the relationship between a text and its context (AO4)
Integrating AO1 and AO4
Exam skill 1: Developing an informed personal response
In Section C, you should focus on the plot, setting, characters and themes of the novel you have studied.
AO1 requires you to show a close knowledge and understanding of your prose text, maintain a critical style and present an informed personal response. Writing an “informed personal response” means offering your individual thoughts and feelings about your prose text. A “critical style” means offering unique insights, interpretations or sharing the connections you draw from the text.
When approaching this question, you should:
Try to respond flexibly and imaginatively to the demands of the question set
Give a personal and unique response to the novel:
Examiners will reward original and well-focused answers
Synthesise a developing argument (this means making the same argument clearly all the way through your answer)
Always address the key words of the question
Don’t include generalised ideas you’ve learned about the text
Give alternative interpretations:
For example, using the phrases “On the one hand … however, this could also be seen to represent …” can help to show that there are alternative views of the novel/characters/events
Quotations or references should always relate to your point or the essay question:
Never use quotations you’ve learned that don’t link to the question
Model answer
Consider this sample answer which addresses the skills required for AO1.
Question focus | AO1: Informed personal response (Grade 9) |
In what ways is Boo Radley important in the novel? | Boo (Arthur) Radley is arguably a critically important character in the novel as he is symbolic of the mockingbird theme. Like a mockingbird, Boo refrains from causing harm to anyone and the exploration of his character, alongside Tom Robinson’s, enables Lee to explore the novel’s central theme of prejudice. Due to his vulnerability and timidity, Boo is a defenceless innocent who endures the prejudices of Maycomb society. Moreover, Boo is important in the novel as he influences the moral and emotional development of other characters, particularly Scout and Jem, who are forced to reconsider their judgments and prejudices. Despite his seclusion and ghost-like invisibility, Boo takes enjoyment in observing the children’s activities from the confines of his home. The children do not see him but the monstrous stories of his “bloodstained hands” and “rotten” teeth make him “a malevolent phantom” in their eyes. However, Scout and Jem’s changing perceptions of Boo help to develop their empathy and compassion. Furthermore, Boo’s heroic act of rescuing Jem and Scout from Bob Ewell on Halloween illustrates his importance in the novel. Atticus and Heck Tate agree not to publicise his bravery for as Scout says, “Well, it’d be sort of like shooting a mockingbird, wouldn’t it?” |
When approaching AO1, you need to ensure your response focuses on the question. Your textual references should be accurate and discerning and fully support the points you make. Any quotations you choose to use should always be directly relevant to the focus of the question, but you don’t always need to use quotations to score highly for AO1. Referring to plot points can be just as successful.
Examiner Tips and Tricks
AO2 (language, form and structure analysis) is not assessed in Section C. Setting aside AO2 gives you a greater opportunity to build and sustain a discussion focusing upon the meaning, context and interpretations of your chosen novel. However, if you choose to discuss narrative devices or structure in your novel, you will be rewarded for AO1.
Exam skill 2: Understanding the relationship between a text and its context (AO4)
You can be awarded up to 20 marks (out of 40) for context, so try to integrate contextual comments throughout your response.
You can include contextual points in a variety of ways, by thinking both about how context affects the writer’s work and the audience’s response to it. Here are some ways to include context in your essay:
Context: Top tips | |
Consider the writer’s own life and individual situation, including the place and time of writing (but only when these relate to the text) | Consider the historical setting, time and location of the text |
Consider the social and cultural context (e.g. attitudes in society, expectations of different cultural groups) | Consider the literary context of the text, for example, literary movements or genres |
Consider how texts are received and engaged with by different audiences, at different times (for example, how a text may be read differently in the 21st century than when it was written) | |
Model answer
Consider this model answer which addresses the skills required for AO4.
Question focus | AO4: Relationship between a text and its context (Grade 9) |
In what ways is Boo Radley important in the novel? | Within the prejudiced context of Maycomb society, Harper Lee uses the character of Boo Radley as an important symbol of innocence. The rumours surrounding him and his reclusive nature lead to unfounded assumptions, fear and prejudices against him. His character could reflect the fear and mistrust that characterised the Jim Crow era in the United States. The racial tensions and divisions of this time could be seen to be mirrored in the suspicions and misconceptions surrounding Boo. Although Lee reveals Boo to be a kind and compassionate character, she illustrates the impact of prejudice on individuals like Boo as he is ostracised by his neighbours. As To Kill a Mockingbird was published during the Civil Rights Movement, Lee may have also used Boo’s character to encourage the reader to empathise with those who are similarly marginalised or misunderstood by an inherently prejudiced society. |
Integrating AO1 and AO4
When responding to the question, always embed contextual comments throughout your response. Context must always be interspersed throughout your response and it must relate to the point being discussed in the question.
It is important that your approach to context illustrates how that character or event in your novel reflects or challenges social, political or historical perceptions. Your textual analysis and discussion of context need to be balanced and relate to each other.
Consider this example of separate AO1 and AO4 comments which you might make in reference to Curley’s wife in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men.
Question focus | Informed response (AO1) | Contextual comment (AO4) |
Explore the significance of the character of Curley’s wife in the novel | Curley’s wife is the only female character who appears in the novel and she is given no name | Similar to many women of that era, she is completely dependent on her husband for support and is physically and economically vulnerable |
Despite her lack of status, she recognises her superiority over Crooks in the social hierarchy and uses this as a threat | She illustrates the pervasiveness of racism at all levels of society | |
Like other characters, she dreams of escape (as an actress) | She shares the same aspirations as the male characters and seeks the elusive American Dream |
Model answer
Let’s look at an example to see how you might write these points into an integrated paragraph:
Explore the significance of the character of Curley’s wife in the novel (AO1 and AO4) |
Steinbeck presents Curley’s wife as a symbol of the failure of the American dream. As the only female character in Of Mice and Men, it is notable that she lacks an individual name or identity on the ranch and is simply referred to as a foil to a male character: “Curley’s wife”. Like many women of the 1930s, she is entirely economically dependent on her husband, and Steinbeck reveals the inherent sexism of contemporary society through the offensive and vulgar language used to describe her: she is referred to as a “tart”, “rat-trap” and “jail bait”. Restricted from interacting with the others on the ranch by Curley’s rules, she becomes increasingly isolated and lonely. Craving attention and escape, she aspires to become an actress and longs for a life beyond the confines of her current circumstances, confiding in Lennie: “I coulda made somethin' of myself ... Maybe I will yet”. Her dream hints at her longing for recognition and independence. She shares the same aspirations as the male characters on the ranch by seeking the American Dream. Despite her lack of status and agency, her treatment of Crooks gives a modern reader insights into the social hierarchy and prejudices of 1930s America, when she threatens to have him lynched: “I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain’t even funny”. Steinbeck highlights the pervasive nature of racism and the threat of violence that permeates the novel, foreshadowing her own violent death and reminding the reader of the futility of the American dream in this harsh context. |
Examiner Tips and Tricks
AO4 (context) carries 50% of the marks. By focusing on contextual points, you can write about popular contemporary issues of particular interest to you.
For example, you could comment on the gender inequality that Steinbeck depicts in 1930s America and compare it to the present day. Does the portrayal of Curley’s wife in relation to her appearance and gender resonate with contemporary issues and societal prejudice against women?
Find out more about how you can write a Grade 9 answer.
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