AQA GCSE ENGLISH LITERATURE - ACC - ESSAY STRUCTURE

Pulled from lightuphub

What are you marked on for AO1?

A01: (12 marks) Understanding of the text & focusing on the question.

1. Understanding the text = link character to bigger ideas (RAD = Represent, Amplify, Develop)

2. Understanding the text = link to key themes

3. Focus on the question = use the word/phrase from the question constantly (5-6x paragraph)

What are you marked on for AO2?

A02: (12 marks) Language, structure and form techniques (also known as ‘Writer’s methods)

1. Language = imagery, plosive, sibilance etc

2. Structure = sentence lengths, punctuation etc

3. Form = chapters, tragedy etc

What are you marked on for AO3?

A03: (6 marks) Linking the text & context

1. Context = explain a piece of relevant context

2. Link to text = explain how it is shown in the text

What are you marked on for AO4?

A04 (4 marks) SPAG

1. Spelling = how accurate you spell

2. Punctuation = using proper full stops, apostrophes (‘) etc

3. And

4. Grammar = using the right tenses, verbs (‘she ran’ not she ‘run) etc

What is the recommended essay structure?

We recommend Either PETAETACW / PETATACW x 3.

What’s needed for point?

a word/phrase from question + your own point

What’s needed for evidence?

embed it in

What’s needed for technique?

use one provided by Lightup

What’s needed for analysis?

what (what does the technique do? E.g the effect) how (how does it show this? E.g. this shows) why (why has this been done? E.g. as/because).

What’s needed for context?

state relevant context, link to your ideas

What’s needed for writer’s intentions?

what was the writer’s aim?

What’s needed for WOW?

higher level context, link to your ideas (Grade 7+ bonus!)

What are some sentence starters for point?

[Writer] constructs…

1. Word/phrase from question + own point

What are some sentence starters for evidence?

Evidence: This is clear when…

1. Embed in quote

What are some sentence starters for technique?

The [technique]...

1. Use Lightup technique

What are some sentence starters for analysis?

this creates a sense of… which illuminates.. Because of this…

1. What, how, why

What are some sentence starters for context?

This idea reflects… [insert context]... This reinforces…

1. Link to context, context, link to question

What are some sentence starters for WOW?

Furthermore, [writer] uses.. This intensifies

1. Connecting word, WOW, link back to question

What are some sentence starters for writer’s intention?

Thus, [Writer] creates a [CAMP] to [ICE] the audience about

1. Use CAMP ICE

What is the checklist for point?

1. Word/phrase from the question

2. Own point (linked to theme or idea)

What are some top tips for point?

1. Highlight the word/phrase from the question as soon as you spot it

2. To make your own point, think of a key theme (e.g., conflict, love, fate) or key word

What are some sentence starters for point?

1. Dickens constructs…

2. This presents…

3. The character of [insert] is used to…

What is the checklist for evidence?

1. Embed concise quote

2. Choose a “dense” quote with multiple techniques

What are the top tips for evidence?

1. If struggling, find a quote that answers the question and rephrase it into your point.

What are some sentence starters for evidence?

1. This is clear when…

2. For instance, when [character] says…

3. Moreover, Dickens shows this when…

What is the checklist for technique?

1. Use a Lightup technique

2. Name the specific method

What are some top tips for technique?

1. Pick a specific word from your quote and link it to a Lightup technique (e.g., lexis, semantic field, structure).

What are some sentence starters for technique?

1. The [technique]...

2. Dickens’s use of [technique]...

3. Through [technique], Dickens…

What is the checklist for analysis?

1. What (Effect of technique)

2. How (What it shows)

3. Why (Reason for what it shows)

What are some top tips for analysis?

1. What: think about what the technique does. Pre-learn effects of techniques e.g. does the technique emphasise/ visualise / exaggerate etc

2. How: tell me what the effect of the technique literally shows about the quote

3. Why: give me your reason behind why you said that. If you put ‘as’ or ‘because’ after your how it will force you to explain

What are some sentence starters for analysis?

1. What: metaphor = escalates/intensifies/reduces

2. How: Dickens achieves this through… / by using… / through the technique of…

3. Why: Because of this… / This reflects… / This reinforces…

What is the checklist for evidence + technique 2?

1. Second technique

2. What (Effect of technique)

3. How (What it shows)

4. RAD (Represent, Amplify, Develop)

What are some top tips for evidence + technique 2?

1. Use RAD:

What does RAD stand for?

Represents, Amplifies, Development

What are some key words for represents?

1. Microcosm (something small representing something larger)

2. Emblematic (symbolise)

3. Epitome (perfect example of)

4. Allegory (hidden moral message)

What are some key words for amplifies?

1. Foil (Opposite to someone else)

2. Mirror (Reflects someone/something else)

What are some key words for development?

1. Character change/ compare with another character

2. Progress (Moved forward)

3. Regress (Moved back steps)

4. Stagnate (Stayed the same)

What are some sentence starters for evidence + technique 2?

1. Moreover/additionally/supplementing this

2. shifts/focuses/directs

3. By Dickens using [technique].../Through the implementation of/ utilising [technique] allows Dickens

What is the checklist for context?

1. Link to context

2. Explain context

3. Link back to question

What are some top tips for context?

Context must flow into your argument. Never bolt it on at the end like a random fact!

What are some sentence starters for context?

1. This idea reflects… [context]/ This demonstrates the influences of [context]/ This alludes to [context]

2. In Victorian society…/within the contemporary/during this era/ [insert context]

3. This reinforces/this reaffirms/this illuminates

What is the checklist for WOW?

1. Linking word

2. WOW insight

3. Link back to question

What are some top tips for WOW?

WOW = a fresh, big-picture insight that zooms out beyond the surface meaning.

What are some sentence starters for WOW?

1. Furthermore, Dickens uses/utilises/implies

2. [briefly explain wow]

3. This intensifies/ this invigorates/ this lends insight

What is the checklist for writer’s intentions?

1. Use CAMP

2. Use ICE

3. Explain why Dickens crafted the message

What does CAMP-ICE stand for?

1. Cautionary tale - warning

2. Allegorical novella - deeper meaning

3. Motif - recurring image/ symbol

4. Political diatribe - comments on politics

5. Illuminate

6. Criticise

7. Educate

What are some top tips for writer’s intentions?

1. Always name the writer

2. Say the Writer creates one of the CAMP

3. Say the Writer is trying to create one of these 3 effects on the audience/ reader - ICE

What are some sentence starters for writer’s intentions?

1. Thus, Dickens creates a [CAMP] to [ICE] the audience about…/Dickens

2. The writer aims to [CAMP] in order to [ICE]...

3. Dickens’s message is to [CAMP] so the audience will [ICE]...