Lessons From The First Series English Hub School Networks .

Question 27.1 cont.Some students are obviously given a checklist of techniques and methods to look for.Examples include (but aren’t limited to): imagery verse/ form and length alliterationrhymeetc, maybe with a mnemonic thrown in.This is not necessarily a bad idea in itself, but it can be very limiting and actually unhelpful ifstudents start with this ‘list’ and see the poem as essentially a technique-spotting exercise.Such responses tend to be mechanistic often determined to make things fit a pattern when theydon’t and limited in the range and quality of interpretation. Technique and method are perhapsbetter seen as tools for students to use which can support their own thinking about the poem.Students must try to engage with the poet and his/her ideas.——Using the anthoLogyYour teaching of anthology poetry is anobvious place to start when it comes topreparing for the ‘unseen’ section of the paper.The nature of the two clusters means that it iseasy to find two poems which share a commontheme, but differ widely in their forms andapproaches.It can give students great confidence to startyour Anthology teaching by presenting themwith, for example, Follower or WarPhotographer and simply asking them whatthey think about it.The more experience studentshave of: a wide range of.poemsmaking their own.judgernentssupporting udgemehts withevidence.the better they will perform.If you then give them a simple framework (eg interesting word choices, figurative language, form,another technique) and ask them to write down examples and then comment on their effects. Bydoing this you will be empowering students straight away to make decisions and trust their ownjudgement.It’s also very revealing if you then ask students to read some or all of the other poems in thecollection just once and ask them to pick one which looks like it might be a good comparison. Theyoften make startlingly sensible and interesting choices.Talking point 3Which poems would you choose from your cluster as these starter-poems and why?ADA Education (ADA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered inEngland and Wales (number 3644723) Our registered address is ADA. Devas Street. Manchester MiS 6EX.28 cr44

Post and Present poetry anthologyPoems from Past and Present poetry anthology are listed below.Schools are supplied with anthologies, but electronic copies are also available on the English eLibrary. See aga.org.uklelibrarvLove and relationshipsArmitage, SimonBarrett Browning, ElizabethBrowning, RobertByron, LordCausley, CharlesDay Lewis, CDooley, MauraDuffy, Carol AnnHardy, ThomasHeaney, SeamusMew, CharlotteNagra, DaIjitSheers, OwenShelley, Percy ByssheWaterhouse, AndrewMother, any distanceSonnet 29 ‘I think of thee!’Porphyria’s LoverWhen We Two PartedEden RockWalking AwayLetters From YorkshireBefore You Were MineNeutral TonesFollowerThe Farmer’s BrideSingh Song!Winter SwansLove’s PhilosophyClimbing My Grandfather-Power and conflictAgard, JohnArmitage, SimonBlake, WilliamBrowning, RobertBysshe Shelley, PercyDharker, imtiazDuffy, Carol AnnGarland, BeatriceHeaney, SeamusHughes, TedOwen, WilfredRumens, CarolTennyson, Alfred LordWeir, JaneWordsworth, WilliamADA Edu:ation (4114)5 a reg;stered charity (number 1073334) and aChecking Out Me HistoryRemainsLondonMy Last DuchessOzymandiasTissueWar PhotographerKamikazeStorm on the IslandBayonet ChargeExposureThe émigreeThe Charge of the Light BrigadePoppiesThe Prelude: stealing the boatcompany Iirn:ted by garantee regstered inEnand and Wales (number 3&44723). Our regstered address is ADA, Oavas Street. Manchester M15 6EX29 of 44

NotesADA Education (ADA) is a registered charity (number 1073336) and a company imited by guarantee registered inEng’and and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is ADA, Devas Street. Manchester MiS 6EX.30 of 44

Question 27.2These extracts are from the June 2017 series. Visit aga.org.uk/log-in to access.TodayIf ever there were a spring day so perfect,so uplifted by a warm intermittent breezethat it made you want to throwopen all the windows in the house5and unlatch the door to the canary’s cage,indeed, rip the little door from its jamb,a day when the cool brick pathsand the garden bursting with peonies”10seemed so etched in sunlightthat you felt like takinga hammer to the glass paperweighton the living room end table,releasing the inhabitantsfrom their snow-covered cottage15so they could walk out,holding hands and squintinginto this larger dome of blue and white,well, today is just that kind of day.Billy Collins*jamb the sides of a doorway or openingpeonies flowers—**—27.In both ‘Today’ and ‘Autumn’ the speakers describe attitudes towards theseasons.What are the similarities and/or differences between the ways the poets presentthese attitudes?[8 marks]ADA Education (ADA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered inEngland and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is ADA, Oevas Street, Manchester MiS 6EX.31 of 46

Question 27.2 cont.Talking point 4What are the keywords in this mark scheme?MarkAOLevel 47—8marksA02Level 35—6marksA02TypicaL features of response .Level 23—4mar kLevel I1—2marks0 marks A02 A02 Exploratory comparison of wrIters’ use of language, structure andform with subject terminology used judiciouslyConvincing comparison of effects of writers’ methods on readerThoughtful comparison of writers’ use of [pyge and/or structureand/or form with subject terminology used effectively to supportconsideration ofComparative examination of effects of writers’ methods on readerRelevant comparison of writers’ use of language and/or structureñd/or form with some relevant use of subjdirminpjogy.Some comparison of effects of writers’ methods on readerSome links between writers’ use of language or structure or formSome links between effects of writers’ methods on readerNothing worthy of credit/nothing writtenThe obvious thing to notice is that there is only one AO, and in every level there is a word whichimplies the need for students to compare. In no other part of the exam is this so explicit, so it isvital that students do it.Writers’ use of languageThe other potential difficulty in this question is that students are being judged solely on theirresponse to ‘writers’ use of language’ and the effects of those methods on the reader.Look at the question from this year’s paper on the previous page.In both ‘Today’ and ‘Autumn’ the speakers describe attitudes towards theseasons.What are the similarities and/or differences between the ways the poets present theseattitudes?The words in bold above are the focus of this question.—We found some students wrote about attitudes and not methods here, and so received verylittle, if any, credit for this.ADA Education (ADA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered inEngland and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester MiS 6EX.32 of 44

Question 27.2 cont.By this point in the exam, students are generally quite tired and maybe not at their best.This question is only worth a maximum 8 marks, but this can still make a huge difference to bothan individual student’s, and your centre’s, results.Tips for studentsIdeally, students: have a very efficient way of approaching this question to identify exactly what is required ofthem do not have to outline the ideas/attitudes in one or both poems (which is a waste of time). do not feel the need to write more than a side will find methods and effects from both poems and compare them have the annotation skills to find and organise useful things to say.Ta(king point 5Discuss how else you could help students prepare for this task.NotesLOa ‘.e lh1CtCAjQCJc)ADA Educatizn (ACA) is a registered charity (nmLer a073336) and a company Iirnite by guarantee regstered inEnoand and W&es (number 36L4723). Our rqistered address is ADA, Devas Street. Man:hester M15 6EX.!33 of 44J

Focus on A03: contextAQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered inEngland and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester MiS 6EX.34 of 44

Focus on A03: contextWhat do you understand by ‘context’ in terms of this exam?The two main ways students approach context are: via specific knowledge acquired throughout the course, usually taught by andexplored with teachers. For example, ‘the class system and the conflict betweencapitalism and socialism in the first half of the C20’ in An Inspector Calls. via direct response to the context implicit in the question. For example, ‘How fardoes Priestley present Mrs Birling as an unlikeable character?’The best answers integrate these two approaches.Student examples of context‘The old generation eg Mr Birling and Mrs Birling do not care that Eva Smith died.’—cicidU.cntt (uu.LOO@‘When Mr Biding congratulates Edna the maid on her cooking Mrs Birling reacts displeased. Wesee here Mrs Birling is a character who does not believe people of a lower class should berespected. She does not value their work.’‘Mrs Birling repeatedly shows no sympathy for Eva Smith. This echoes her social class becauseshe as a higher class woman was not expected to feel sympathy for a lower class person. Thishowever contrasts with the charity that Mrs Birling runs for women in need. Therefore the audiencecan think that Mrs Birling is not running the charity for the good of lower class women but to earnsocial respect and show off her status.’tc.)-Qra3--k\sz atAQA Education (ADA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered inEngland and Wales (number 3646723). Our registered address is ADA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.Q4OYQ7)ciç ULCLCLu (\35 of 44

The above extracts are indicative of levels 1, 3 and 5 respectively. The summer 2017 seriesshowed most centres had got to grips with ‘context’ for the purposes of the exam.Would you prepare differently?Talking point 6What levels would you have given to the three extracts above?What strengths and weaknesses are shown and how would you advise students to improve?Reproduced below are pages 9-11 from the June 2017 mark scheme for Paper 2. The full versioncan be found on the Secure Key Materials section of eAQA. Navigate to aga.org.uk/log-inMarkAOTypical featuresHow to arrive at a markLevel 6AOlCritical, exploratory,conceptualisedresponse to task andwhole textAt the top of the level, a candidate’s response islikely to be a critical, exploratory, well-structuredargument. It takes a conceptualised approach tothe full task supported by a range of judiciousreferences. There will be a fine-grained andinsightful analysis of language and form andstructure supported by judicious use of subjectterminology. Convincing exploration of one ormore ideas! perspectives! contextual s andexploration26—30marksJudicious use of precisereferences to supportinterpretation(s)A02A03Level 02Analysis of writer’smethods with subjectterminology usedjudiciouslyExploration of effects ofwriter’s methods onreaderExploration of ideas!perspectivesl contextualfactors shown byspecific, detailed linksbetween context! text!taskThoughtful, developedresponse to task andwhole textApt referencesintegrated intointerpretation(s)Examination of writer’smethods with subjectterminology usedeffectively to supportconsideration ofmethodsAt the bottom of the level, a candidate will haveLevel 5 and be starting to demonstrate elementsof exploratory thought and/or anaTysis of writer’smethods and /or contexts.At the top of the level, a candidate’s response islikely to be thoughtful, detailed and developed. Ittakes a considered approach to the full task withreferences integrated into interpretation; there willbe a detailed examination of the effects oflanguage and/or structure and/or form supportedby apt use of subject terminology. Examination ofideas/ perspectives! contextual factors, possiblyincluding alternative interpretations/ deepermeanings.At the bottom of the level, a candidate will haveLevel 4 and be starting to demonstrate elementsExamination of effects of of thoughtful consideration and/or examination ofwriter’s methods onwriter’s methods and/or contexts.readerADA Education (ADA) is a registered charity (number 1073336) and a company limited by guarantee registered inEngland and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is ADA, Oevas Street, Manchester MiS 6EX.36 of 66

Level 4A03Thoughtful considerationof ideas/ perspectives/contextual factorsshown by examinationof detailed links betweencontext/text/taskAOlClear, explainedresponse to task andwhole textClear understanding16—20marks:A02:.Level 3Explained,structuredcomments11—15marksEffective use ofreferences to supportexplanationClear explanation ofwriter’s methods withappropriate use ofrelevant subjectterminologyUnderstanding ofeffects of writer’smethods on readerA03 Clear understandingof ideas/perspectives/contextual factorsshown by specificlinks betweencontext/text/taskAOl I Some explained! response to task andwhole textA02A03References used tosupport a range ofrelevant commentsExplained/relevantcomments on writer’smethods with somerelevant use ofsubject terminologyAt the top of the level, a candidates response islikely to be clear, sustained and consistent. Ittakes a focused response to the full task whichdemonstrates clear understanding. It uses arange of references effectively to illustrate andjustify explanation; there will be clear explanationof the effects of a range of writer’s methodssupported by appropriate use of subjectterminology. Clear understanding ofideas/perspectives/contextual factors.At the bottom of the level, a candidate will haveLevel 3 and be starting to demonstrate elementsof understanding and/or explanation of writer’smethods and/or contexts.At the top of the level, a candidate’s response islikely to be explanatory in parts. It focuses on thefull task with a range of points exemplified byrelevant references from the text; there will beidentification of effects of a range of writer’smethods supported by some relevant terminology.Explanation of some relevant contextual factors.At the bottom of the level, a candidate will haveLevel 2 and be starting to explain and/or makerelevant comments on writer’s methods and/orcontexts.Identification of effectsof writer’s methods onreaderSome understandingof implicit ideas/perspectives/contextuaI factors shown bylinks betweencontext/text/taskADA Education (ADA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered inEngLand and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is ADA, Devas Street, Manchester MIS 6EX.37 ci 44

Level 2AOlSupported,relevantcomments6—10 marksSupported response totask and textAt the top of the level, a candidate’s responseis likely to be relevant and supported by someexplanation. It will include some focus on the taskwith relevant comments and some supportingreferences from the text. There will beidentification of effects of deliberate choicesmade by writer with some reference to subjectterminology. Awareness of some contextualfactors.Comments onreferencesA02Identification of writers’methodsSome reference tosubject terminologyLevel 1A03Some awareness ofimplicitideas/contextual factorsAOlSimple commentsrelevant to task andtextSimple,explicitcommentsAt the top of the level, a candidate’s responseis likely to be narrative and/or descriptive inapproach. It may include awareness of the taskand provide appropriate reference to text; therewill be simple identification of method withpossible reference to subject terminology. Simplecomments/responses to context, usually explicit.Reference to relevantdetails1—5 marksA02A030 marksAwareness of writermaking deliberatechoicesAt the bottom of the level, a candidate’sresponse will have Level 1 and be starting tofocus on the task and/or starting to showawareness of the writer making choices and/orawareness of contexts.—At the bottom of the level, a candidate’sresponse will show some familiarity with the text.Possible reference tosubject terminologySimple comment onexplicitideas/contextual factorsNothing worthy of credit/nothing written604 Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered inEngland and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Oevas Street, Manchester MIS 6EX.38 ci 44

NotesAQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered inEngland and Wales (number 3644723). Cur reg]stered address is AQA, Oevas Street, Manchester MiS 6EX.39 ci 44

Text choicesADA Education (ADA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered inEngland and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is ADA, Devas Street, Manchester MiS 6EX.60 ci 44

Text choicesWhy did you choose the texts you did? For many it will simply be what was in the store cupboard.All texts were attempted in the summer 2617 series, but these were the most frequently-chosenones.Paper 1Paper 2MacbethAn Inspector CallsRomeo and JulietLord of the FliesA Christmas CarolAnimal FarmThe Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr HydeTalking point 7Some work in departments where text choices and decisions about content are made hierarchicallywith little discussion. There are strengths and weaknesses of this top-down approach; whichapproach do you believe to be most effective and why?Are you allowed to make individual decisions about these issues?Talking point SQuality or availability of teaching and learning resources can impact text choices. Can yourecommend a go-to source or a particular place for a specific text? Networking communities on theTES, Twitter (#TeamEnglish or #EngChat) or Mumsnet can be just as valuable.Use the notes page overleaf to note down new resources or communities to investigate.ADA Educehon (ADA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered inEngland and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is ADA. Oevas Street, Manchester M15 ÔEX.41 of 44

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Contact usT: 0161 953 7504E: english-gcse aqa.org.ukaqa .org uk/english.ckriG \efth:cxL’These free networking sessions feature extracts of scripts and student responses.Access a greater number of full—Length student responses with depthcommentaries at a Feedback on the examinations course.aqa.org.uk/Iit-feedback.ADA Education (ADA) is a registered charity (number 1073336) and a company limited by guarantee registered inEngland and Wales (number 3664723). Our registered address is ADA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.44 of 44 page

AQA Educaticn (AQA) is a regEstered charity (number 1073336) ara a ccrnpany I,mted by guarantee reg:scered in 23 of 4 England and Wales (number 36/4723). Our registered address i