Y13: Revision | Paper 1 Section C

Hello Y13,

 

Section C (Aspects of Tragedy: Salesman/Keats) – 50 mins

 

This seems to be the one you’re most worried about, but remember: you’ll only write for each text for about 20 minutes each! So this question is all about choices. Choose your content and quotes wisely – and plan!

 

Another concern in Section C is time. If you over-do it on Sections A & B and end up short of time for Section C, you may end up only writing for 10 minutes on each text. The result: GENERALISING (Band 2). I’ve seen A grade students do this and score 6 or 7/25.

 

So, remember:

 

• interpret the key words in the question
• decide on the most relevant moments in Keats and Salesman
• break the task down into parts (e.g. argument, counter-argument, two different focuses, or even simply Salesman/Keats)
• analyse the writer’s dramatic methods as you write
• reach a confident conclusion

 

The third bullet-point above is particularly important in Section C, but it’s simpler than you might think. You need to decide how to break the task down into two or three main paragraphs (aside from the intro/conclusion). Sometimes there are two distinct areas than need addressing in turn. Take the example below:

 

In this question, there is a need to explore ‘moments of happiness’ before considering the ‘outcome’. This would usually mean beginning and end. In this kind of two-part question you might write three or even four main paragraphs. E.g:

 

1. Moments of happiness in Keats
2. Moments of happiness in Salesman
3. Tragic outcome in Keats
4. Tragic outcome in Salesman

 

Or it could work in three paragraphs as in my plan above. Alternatively, you could just write two main paragraphs: one about Keats (moments of happiness and how they relate to the tragic outcome) and one about Salesman.

 

In other questions, probably in most questions, it’s simpler to go with this two main paragraph structure:

• Intro
• 1) Salesman
• 2) Keats
• Conclude

 

For example, see the two essays below:

 

This next document contains ideas about how to unpick a question, with plenty of extra questions to practise on:

Take a look at this extract from the 2017 examiners' report on Section C which deals with the ‘moments of happiness’ question:

Don’t forget, there were more Section C questions on a doc on the previous blogpost.

 

Finally, two general A Level Lit resources that work for all sections in both Paper 1 and Paper 2. Again, these documents come from a senior examiner.

First, here is a lot of advice for writing great essays for AQA Lit B, including advice on how to deal with each section:

And here is a True or False quiz to address misconceptions about the exams, based on the AQA examiners’ report:

 

I think that’s all I have for now. Let me know if you have any further questions. I’m sure I’ll remember something else shortly.

 

And finally, the plan for next week:

 

Monday: I’ll send Section A before the normal lesson time (via email).

Try to get it back to me at the end of the normal lesson time or as quick as you can afterwards.

 

Wednesday: I’ll send Section B. Same as above.

 

Thursday: I’ll send Section C in the morning. You can do the question at a time to suit you before the end of the week.

 

That okay?

 

As always, get in touch if you have any queries or thoughts or… anything.

 

Mr M