1. Contemporary literature
Paper 2a – Section B Contemporary Prose
Paper 2b – Section A Contemporary Drama
Heroes
About a Boy
Blood Brothers
A View from the Bridge

2. What am I being assessed on?
AO1
 Respond to texts critically and imaginatively; select and evaluate relevant textual detail to illustrate and support interpretations 1/3
AO2
 Explain how language, structure and form contribute to writers’ presentation of ideas, themes and settings 2/3

3. What am I being assessed on?
C grade:
Detailed reference
Some probing of subtext (what’s going on & why – message to reader)
Extended discussion of how themes/ characters/ relationships presented
Explain effect of specific words and phrases/ structure/ form
A grade:
Assured selection of key areas (right evidence)
Speculate/ offer judgements (argue point of view)
Evaluate – what do you think? Does it work? Effective?
Assured explanation effect of specific words and phrases/ structure/ form – e.g. more than one comment on phrase

4. SAY WHAT YOU THINK AND PROVE IT!
What am I being assessed on?
A* grade:
Consistently handle text with confidence
Overview – specific to general
SAY WHAT YOU THINK AND PROVE IT!

5. Essay structure
Idea of Brilliance – a viewpoint/ opinion that must be supported to stop the roof crashing down and killing hundreds of innocent victims!
Pillars of evidence – six specific examples to support your view, backed up with quotations and analysis of effect.
Conclusion of security – the foundation to keep it all stable. Says WHY the author has done what they’ve done and so sums up your argument.

6. What do you think of __________________?
Character questions
What do you think of __________________?
How is the character of __________________ presented?
…how do they relate to the novel as a whole?
OVERVIEW– what DO you think?
NOT “important because without them there would be no plot”
TRACK specific examples – key words and phrases
Link to theme/ plot/ structure
What do you think of…? YOUR OPINION – back it up
Analyse effect of specific words and phrases
Theme – used to present loneliness/ parenthood etc
Plot – integral to key events
Structure – help to reveal other characters/ give us key information etc.

7. How does ______________ present the theme of _____________?
Theme questions
How does ______________ present the theme of _____________?
OVERVIEW– what DO you think?
TRACK through novel – key events
Eliminate pointless ideas – keep focus
Obvious technique? (e.g. use of outsiders for loneliness/ flashbacks for war/ dual narrative) Main idea - supported with specifics.
Analyse effect of specific words and phrases
If obvious technique used to present theme (e.g. use of outsiders for loneliness/ flashbacks for war/ dual narrative), main idea will be on that, supported with specifics.

8. Opinion questions
To what extent is it possible to feel sympathy for _____________?
Do you agree that…?
Might be lots of evidence to support but you might not agree
Come at it from your own viewpoint – support with evidence
OVERVIEW– what DO you think?
TRACK through novel – key events
Analyse effect of specific words and phrases

9. “War has a lasting effect on those who fight in it” How does Cormier present this in Heroes?

10. “War has a lasting effect on those who fight in it” How does Cormier present this in Heroes?

11. About a Boy is about the power of friendship
About a Boy is about the power of friendship. To what extent do you agree with this?

12. About a Boy is about the power of friendship
About a Boy is about the power of friendship. To what extent do you agree with this?

13. How does Russell present the contrast between Mrs Johnstone and Mrs Lyons as mothers?

14. How does Russell present the contrast between Mrs Johnstone and Mrs Lyons as mothers?

15. Give advice to the actor playing the character of Alfieri on how he should present the character to the audience. In your advice, remember to include detailed reference to the play’s events, characters and themes.

16. Give advice to the actor playing the character of Alfieri on how he should present the character to the audience. In your advice, remember to include detailed reference to the play’s events, characters and themes.