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Exam skills: the post-1914 essay
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Section B of Paper 1 is one essay on your post-1914 play or novel. You choose one question from two. It is worth 40 marks, including 8 for spelling, punctuation and grammar.
What is assessed
AO1 (16 marks): a clear, developed argument with references.
AO3 (16 marks): context, such as when and why the text was written.
AO4 (8 marks): vocabulary, sentence structures, spelling and punctuation.
The questions often focus on a character, theme, or relationship across the whole text.
AO3 (16 marks): context, such as when and why the text was written.
AO4 (8 marks): vocabulary, sentence structures, spelling and punctuation.
The questions often focus on a character, theme, or relationship across the whole text.
Planning
Spend a few minutes planning. Choose the question you can argue best.
Plan four or five main points that move through the text (beginning, middle, end).
Decide on a short thesis: your overall answer to the question.
Plan four or five main points that move through the text (beginning, middle, end).
Decide on a short thesis: your overall answer to the question.
Writing
Embed context naturally: explain WHY the writer presents something, not just a history lesson.
Use precise vocabulary (for example: hypocritical, patriarchal, didactic).
Check spelling of names and key terms, and leave time to proofread.
Use precise vocabulary (for example: hypocritical, patriarchal, didactic).
Check spelling of names and key terms, and leave time to proofread.
How could you embed context in a point about Mr Birling?
- Point: Birling is presented as selfish and foolish.
- Evidence: he claims war will not happen.
- Context: Priestley's 1945 audience had lived through two world wars, so they would see Birling as wrong about everything, including his views on responsibility.
Answer: By linking his wrong predictions to what the 1945 audience knew, which shows Priestley wanted them to reject Birling's selfish capitalism.
Post-1914 essay: choose one of two questions, 40 marks: AO1 16, AO3 16, AO4 8. Plan a thesis, cover the whole text, embed context, and write accurately.
Check you have got it
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