There is one examination paper, worth 70% of the GCSE marks and lasting 1 hour 45 minutes. It is divided into two sections.
Section A offers a choice of essay questions on the modern novel (for example, To Kill a Mockingbird. You answer one question and have only 45 minutes to plan, write and check your essay. This essay is worth 30% of your final GCSE grade in English Literature. It is therefore VITAL that you know the novel 'inside out.'
For help with your set novel, return to the GCSE home page and click on the appropriate link.
You are allowed to take your copy of the text into the exam. Make
sure that you do not forget it! You are most likely to be asked about character or theme.
Section B requires you to write an essay on the pre- and post- 1914 poetry in the Anthology. You have 1 hour to plan, write and check an answer which is worth 40% of the final GCSE marks.
For 2004 ONLY, you may lightly annotate your Anthology. You may take it with you into the examination room. However, this is no substitute for learning the poems; 1 hour is not a long time for a full length essay. Remember how long it took you to write those coursework essays that were only worth 10%!
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