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- Exam skills: the 19th-century novel questions
Exam skills: the 19th-century novel questions
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Section A of Paper 2 has two parts on your 19th-century novel. Part (a) is an extract; part (b) is about the whole novel.
Part (a): the extract (AO2, 20 marks)
You get an extract of about 400 words and a question such as 'Explore how the writer presents...'.
Analyse language and structure: word choices, imagery, sentence forms, dialogue and how the extract develops.
Analyse language and structure: word choices, imagery, sentence forms, dialogue and how the extract develops.
Part (b): elsewhere in the novel (AO1, 20 marks)
You explain how a theme or character is shown elsewhere in the novel.
Show wide knowledge, a clear personal response and well-chosen references or quotations.
Context is not separately assessed here, so use it only when it helps your argument.
Show wide knowledge, a clear personal response and well-chosen references or quotations.
Context is not separately assessed here, so use it only when it helps your argument.
Timing
Paper 2 is 2 hours 15 minutes and has four 20-mark tasks, so roughly a quarter of the time for each, plus reading and planning time.
A part (a) question asks how Dickens presents Scrooge in an extract from Stave 1. Name three things to analyse.
- Word choices, for example the list of harsh verbs.
- Imagery, such as cold and frost.
- Sentence structure, such as long lists that build intensity.
Answer: Word choices, imagery and sentence structure, each linked to its effect.
Part (a): about 400 words, AO2, analyse language and structure. Part (b): elsewhere in the novel, AO1, wide knowledge and personal response. Balance your time across four 20-mark tasks.
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