General guidance
Answer the question – this seems simple but it can be much harder than it looks, especially if the question you
wanted to come up didn’t. Answer the question before you, plan around this question and rigidly stick to what it
asks of you.
Know the AOs and their weightings.
AO1 – 7 marks – requires informed and relevant responses which are accurately written and use appropriate
concepts and terminology.
AO2 – 6 marks – analyse ways in which meanings are shaped (HOW) in literary texts, with particular focus on the
structures of texts as a form of shaping.
AO3 – 6 marks – relates to the many possible contexts which arise out of the text, the specific task and the period
being studied.
AO4 – 3 marks – involves connections across texts and sees possible meanings and interpretations arising not only
out of the contexts of the text itself (AO3 above) but also out of the wider and broader contexts which comes from
the study of period. Thus even when an individual text is being investigated it should still be seen as being framed by
a wider network of texts and contexts to which it connects. – typicality.
AO5 – 3 marks – completes the picture by acknowledging that if work in AOs 2, 3 and 4 had been included in the
response to the question then debate and interpretations will arise out of this work showing that the interpretation
of texts is not a fixed process but a dynamic one. Not only critics – your own interpretation may be much more
useful, especially in questions with a statement.
Band 5 – 21-25 marks
Perceptive/Assured
This band is characterised by perceptive and assured work which shows confidence, sharpness of mind and
sophistication in relation to the task. At the top of the band students are consistently assured and will demonstrate
sensitivity and perception across all five assessment objectives in the course of their response. At the bottom of the
band there will be coherence and accuracy with some perception but with less consistency and evenness.
‘Perception’ is demonstrated when students are showing the depth of their understanding and responding sensitively
to the texts and task. – i.e. try and make points that no one else is likely to make, integrate some of your own ideas.
'Assuredness' is shown when students write with confidence and conviction. – it is very easy to tell when someone
does not really understand/know what they are writing about. They use tentative words such as ‘could’, ‘arguably’ in
excess. Although it should be acknowledged that your view is only an interpretation, you should still write with
conviction by showing how your view is the right view – backed up by evidence and analysis. If you are not convinced
by your argument it shows.
AO1
Perceptive, assured and sophisticated argument in relation to the task – answer the question in line with your
interpretation of it and your thoughts about it.
Assured use of literary critical concepts and terminology; mature and impressive expression – specialist terminology
is essential. Writing in a sophisticated manner will also help with you sounding ‘assured’.
AO2
Answer the question – this seems simple but it can be much harder than it looks, especially if the question you
wanted to come up didn’t. Answer the question before you, plan around this question and rigidly stick to what it
asks of you.
Know the AOs and their weightings.
AO1 – 7 marks – requires informed and relevant responses which are accurately written and use appropriate
concepts and terminology.
AO2 – 6 marks – analyse ways in which meanings are shaped (HOW) in literary texts, with particular focus on the
structures of texts as a form of shaping.
AO3 – 6 marks – relates to the many possible contexts which arise out of the text, the specific task and the period
being studied.
AO4 – 3 marks – involves connections across texts and sees possible meanings and interpretations arising not only
out of the contexts of the text itself (AO3 above) but also out of the wider and broader contexts which comes from
the study of period. Thus even when an individual text is being investigated it should still be seen as being framed by
a wider network of texts and contexts to which it connects. – typicality.
AO5 – 3 marks – completes the picture by acknowledging that if work in AOs 2, 3 and 4 had been included in the
response to the question then debate and interpretations will arise out of this work showing that the interpretation
of texts is not a fixed process but a dynamic one. Not only critics – your own interpretation may be much more
useful, especially in questions with a statement.
Band 5 – 21-25 marks
Perceptive/Assured
This band is characterised by perceptive and assured work which shows confidence, sharpness of mind and
sophistication in relation to the task. At the top of the band students are consistently assured and will demonstrate
sensitivity and perception across all five assessment objectives in the course of their response. At the bottom of the
band there will be coherence and accuracy with some perception but with less consistency and evenness.
‘Perception’ is demonstrated when students are showing the depth of their understanding and responding sensitively
to the texts and task. – i.e. try and make points that no one else is likely to make, integrate some of your own ideas.
'Assuredness' is shown when students write with confidence and conviction. – it is very easy to tell when someone
does not really understand/know what they are writing about. They use tentative words such as ‘could’, ‘arguably’ in
excess. Although it should be acknowledged that your view is only an interpretation, you should still write with
conviction by showing how your view is the right view – backed up by evidence and analysis. If you are not convinced
by your argument it shows.
AO1
Perceptive, assured and sophisticated argument in relation to the task – answer the question in line with your
interpretation of it and your thoughts about it.
Assured use of literary critical concepts and terminology; mature and impressive expression – specialist terminology
is essential. Writing in a sophisticated manner will also help with you sounding ‘assured’.
AO2
