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NIL SATIS OPTIMUM

Unit 1 - The Modern Novel

This unit will usually be one of the first you encounter in year 12 - this is primarily a 'foundation' paper: you will encounter some of the concepts learned at G.C.S.E. but will build on these and also discover new ones.

The unit involves the close and detailed study of one modern novel on which you will be examined through answering one question. This examination is 'closed book': you may not take your text into the examination - this means that you must know your novel very well; the examiners suggest a minimum of 3 readings of the chosen text.

Advice from the examiners

  • read the text at least 3 times- this is the only way you will know the plot well enough to respond to any question.  There is no requirement for comparison here or for placing the text in context; this means that there is a much greater focus on knowledge.
  • practise answering exam questions as often as possible - use the practice questions and mark schemes available
  • avoid a tendency to unload all your knowledge in the exam: make sure you respond directly to the question
  • you must be able to construct an argument, so planning is essential (I know exactly who is reading this and saying, "I don't plan" - make an exception!) - your first paragraph needs to be relevant.
  • your writing needs to be legible and though examiners mark positively they will become impatient if your script lacks coherence and logic - AO1 is vital to good marks here
  • AO3 is also extremely important: you must be able to write about the ways in which the writer goes about telling his/her story
  • explore language by looking at the rhythms of sentences and patterns of imagery
  • lose the tendence to use, "perhaps" or, "maybe" - the examiners are looking for confident, independent opinions
  • prepare by considering the writer's use of symbols, themes, motifs, patterns

Types of questions

According to AQA, there are only 3 types of questions set, these  focus on:

  1. The presentation of a particular character or theme within the novel
  2. What do you think is the key message of the novel/writer
  3. An extract based episode (often the beginning or ending) - for these you have to be able to consider the importance/significance to the wider novel

Look closely at AQA past papers and think of ways in which all the questions can relate to your novel - it immediately becomes clear that they are easily adaptable to different texts. Take it one step further and try an essay (there are mark schemes also available)!

The most successful candidates:

  • focus on the question, not a prepared answer
  • show close knowledge of the text
  • understand the assessment objectives and how they relate to their novel
  • practise questions
  • plan an organised and coherent essay
  • communicate an informed, personal viewpoint in a clear, cogent, concise way
  • write concisely
  • choose supporting material carefully
  • balance an examination of the writer's techniques with an exploration of meaning and how it is shaped

Less successful candidates:

  • tell the story
  • describe rather than analyse
  • produce lengthy, repetitive essays with loose structure an unclear expression
  • focus excessively on the short extract at the expense of the specific question

Key words and terms for thinking about the modern novel

Key questions to ask as you read/revise the modern novel

The  novels

Spies

Questions and mark schemes for June 2006.

Questions for Jan 2006  and mark scheme for question 9 and question 10

 

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