This is a study guide for tackling Single Text questions for paper 2. It also includes a quick guide to answer Othello questions, including short summaries of the plot and characters.
❖ Always write out the question ❖ Careful and detailed analysis is essential
❖ Always plan your answer ❖ Underline Key Words
❖ Underline the keywords in the question ❖ Do not focus on one word only (the name of
❖ Ask yourself, “what is the question asking me to the character or a theme) as HL questions are
discuss?” never as simple as a re-hash of notes on
❖ Brainstorm the keywords character or theme
❖ Watch out for multiple parts of the question
❖ List 3 or 4 key sentences: these points will
answer the question. Write one paragraph
about each of these points and then use an
example from the text that demonstrates this
point.
❖ DO NOT SUMMARISE!
❖ Have at least one quote per paragraph
The Plan The Marking Scheme
❖ Ask for additional paper as soon as the exam ❖ All LC English questions are marked according
begins. Use this for planning. to the PCLM marking scheme
❖ Jot down every point you can think of in ❖ Bear in mind when planning and writing your
response to the question answer
❖ Look through the points and remove any which
do not directly answer the question or which
contradict another point
❖ Arrange your remaining points in order
❖ Plan what you will say in your introduction and
conclusion
Common Mistakes Timing and Length
❖ Not realising that there are several elements to ❖ You have approximately fifty minutes to write
the question your answer
❖ Not planning the answer and therefore ❖ Your answer should be around four pages in
wandering off the point or writing contradictory length
points
❖ Writing unfocused narrative (telling the story of
the play)
❖ Writing simple character sketches
Structure Introduction
❖ Your essay should flow naturally ❖ Move from the general to the specific
❖ If it were cut into individual paragraphs, the ❖ Giv your thesis statement in response to the
reader should be able to reassemble them question
correctly as there should be clear links between ❖ Provide a brief outline of the ideas you will
paragraphs explore in the essay
❖ Remember, if you mention it in the ideas you
will explore in the essay
❖ Remember, if you mention it in the introduction,
you MUST deal with it in the body of the essay
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