How To Approach The Shakespeare Question wjec-eduqas Shakespeare

How to Approach the Shakespeare Question

For Component 1, Section A of your Eduqas GCSE English Literature exam, you will answer one extract-based question and one essay question essay question.

You will have studied one of six texts: 

You can approach the question in Section A with confidence by learning more about the exam question, and specifically what the examiners want to see in any answer.

• Section A: Shakespeare question overview

• Understanding the exam question

• Understanding the assessment objectives

• Top tips for a Grade 9

Section A: Shakespeare question overview

In Section A you will answer two questions. In the first question you will be asked to comment on an extract from your chosen Shakespeare play. The second question will ask you to respond to an essay question based on the same play. You will be expected to comment on Shakespeare’s use of language, structure and form and show an understanding of key themes, characters and ideas within the text. The essay question will also test your accuracy in spelling, punctuation and your use of vocabulary and sentence structures.

Here is an overview:

This is a closed-book examination which means you are not allowed to bring a copy of the text into the examination.

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 and themes. Are there any exam questions that you might struggle to answer?

You can significantly improve your exam performance by paying close attention to the question and understanding it thoroughly. Check the focus of the question and underline any key words and phrases that will support the points you want to make.

Understanding the assessment objectives

In Section A, there are three assessment objectives.

AO1 and AO2 are both equally weighted and are worth a total of 35 marks. AO4 is worth 5 marks and is only assessed in the essay question.

Top tips for a Grade 9

• Keep in mind the dominant assessment objectives for each section in Component 1:

  • For Section A this is AO1 and AO2

  • AO4 is only assessed in the essay question and is worth 5 marks 

• Write a strong, focused opening which sums up the argument and clearly addresses the question posed:

  • Always try to offer a personal response to the questions posed rather than simply repeating pre-prepared material

  • Be specific in your response:

    • For example, if the question asks how Shakespeare creates mood and atmosphere then you should immediately state what the atmosphere or mood is in your response

• Carefully select quotations which fully support the point being made:

  • Short, concise quotations, such as a word or a phrase, are more likely to support in-depth analysis

  • Finding examples from across the extract or the text can help you develop your ideas

• Textual references do not have to be quotations, but if you do not make use of them, it will be more difficult to address AO2:

  • Always learn a range of key quotations as these will be extremely beneficial

• Aim to write well-developed and detailed analysis of the language, form and structure of the extract and the play as a whole

• For the extract-based question, you should aim to place the extract in the context of the rest of the text:

  • Consider its location to the preceding and subsequent action in the play while remembering that the extract should always be your main concern

• Always ensure your response revolves around your analysis of the extract on the exam paper:

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

  • One possible approach is to cover points from the beginning, middle and end of the extract:

    • This approach will enable you to show a greater understanding of the movement across the whole extract 

  • For the extract-based question, do not include or analyse quotations from the rest of the play

• For the essay question, aim to track a character, relationship, or theme across the whole text:

  • Look for instructions such as “presented at different points in the play”:

    • This signals the requirement to track these throughout the narrative

• There tend to be very few, if any, stage directions to analyse in Shakespeare’s plays:

  • Remember that most of the information is in his words

• Context is not assessed in either of the Shakespeare questions, so be wary of wasting time on contextual details as you will not be awarded any marks for context alone

• Proofread your writing to avoid technical errors:

  • Forgetting to use capital letters for character names, neglecting punctuation or abbreviating character names will only lose you AO4 marks

  • Using convoluted sentence structures and an informal register are also cited by examiners as negative aspects of student responses:

    • Remember, try to not lose formality in your writing in an attempt to save a few seconds of time in the exam

Find out more about how you can write a Grade 9 Shakespeare answer.