Critical PerspectivesHere is the powerpoint from our lesson with a quick summary of different perspectives
.... Or open the file by clicking the link below
|
OCR Exam marking CriteriaLook at it very carefully.
Section B - Advice on the approachThere is no easy way to prepare for section
B - you need to have a mixture of pre-prepared and mapped out essay plans, BUT also plenty of scope for original ideas and personal views. They key thing for AO3 is the idea of making connections between the texts and comparing different possible interpretations. These can be from critics or better still from your own analysis. F663 - Section B The most important piece of advice is: ANSWER THE QUESTION. However, this is sometimesnrather more challenging than it first appears. Choosing the right question is vital. You need to become expert at unpacking the language in which the question is framed. Words such as: · presents · significance will be key signifiers of how you might be expected to answer the question. You MUST set up a debate in your essays. You need to show an understanding that meaning is not fixed. Answering the question should mean that you address all of the Assessment Objectives. However, it is worth knowing the AOs so that you do hit them all in every essay you write. Put simply they are: AO1: Your textual references should be extensive and sophisticated. Your essay should be convincingly structured and tightly argued. You should have a thesis; each paragraph should be focused and analytical. Your introduction must set up a thesis which shows how you are going to answer the question in terms of the texts then, in the body of your essay, you can deal with one text, then the other before drawing together your argument again in the conclusion. AO2: This can be broken down into two parts: · The ‘Micro’ – talking about language (diction, imagery, lexis etc.) – this is usually done quite well; · The ‘Macro’ – talking about structure and form – this is rarely done well. AO3: Connect and Compare You might think: · Connect: you can do this by using a focused, tightly argued thesis statement. Throughout your essay you might be using connectives such as ‘In a similar vein’; ‘On the other hand’. And constantly referring to both texts. · Different interpretations: good candidates will often cite critical views. However, it is perfectly possible to hit this AO without many quotations from critics. In its simplest form, you need to be thinking: 'Yes, BUT......' AO4: You might think about 2 different types of context: · Of production (‘The Duchess of Malfi’ was written during the reign of King James, when society was concerned about the changing relationships between church and state…’) The examiners aren’t really very interested in this sort of context. · Of reception (‘A modern director might …’) Examiners are more interested in this. Refer to your knowledge of the play versions. You need to hit all of the assessment objectives. |