How To Approach The Post 1914 Prosedrama Question wjec-eduqas Post-1914-Prosedrama

How to Approach the Post-1914 Prose and Drama Question

In Component 2, Section A of your Eduqas GCSE English Literature exam, you will answer a 40-mark essay question analysing the ways in which writers use language, form and structure to create effects. 

The question will be based on one of the ten prescribed texts: 

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

• Section A: Post-1914 Prose/Drama question overview

• Understanding the exam question

• Understanding the assessment objectives

• Top tips for a Grade 9

Section A: Post-1914 Prose/Drama question overview

In Section A you will answer one question on your chosen post-1914 prose or drama text. You will be asked to comment on an extract from the text and to comment on the text as a whole. The question will also test your accuracy in spelling, punctuation and the ambition in 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. Underlining the key words of the question can also help. 

In Section A, there are three assessment objectives: 

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 also assessed in the essay question and is worth 5 marks 

• You should keep the question focus in mind at all times and refer to it frequently throughout your answer:

  • Underline any key words and phrases that will support the points you want to make

  • Focus on the bullet points built into the start of every question and use them to shape your response

  • Remember you must always discuss events and characters in any given question

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

  • The shorter the quotations the better, but you should try to select from across the extract and the text: its beginning, middle and end

• 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

• Jot down a few key events from across the whole of the text:

  • Four or five carefully chosen points should ensure enough coverage

• Use the extract in any way that you find useful:

  • You might decide to take an integrated approach by dipping in and out of the extract to make links across the whole text

  • Alternatively you could focus on the extract and then move on to discuss the text as a whole

• Remember, there is no requirement to analyse the extract in detail:

  • Instead, use it as a springboard for a wider discussion, with a few key words or images explored that can then be broadened out to show knowledge and understanding of the whole text

• Place the extract in the context of the rest of the text:

  • Consider its location to the preceding and subsequent action in the text 

• Context is not assessed in Section A, so be wary of wasting time on contextual details as you may not be awarded any marks

• 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 Post-1914 Prose/Drama answer.