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Topic 1 of 6 · Form 5

Assessment objectives and critical writing

Knowledge and understanding of texts; analysis of language, form and structure; understanding of contexts; consideration of different interpretations; personal, informed response; clear, accurate expression.

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  1. PDFAssessment objectives and critical writing – Literature in English notes (Cambridge A Level)45.2 KB

What is assessed

Knowledge and understanding of texts; analysis of language, form and structure; understanding of contexts; consideration of different interpretations; personal, informed response; clear, accurate expression.

Building an argument

Answer the question directly in the introduction; organise paragraphs by idea, not by plot order; integrate brief quotations; analyse precise effects; weigh alternative readings; conclude with a clear judgement.

Critical vocabulary

Narrative voice, focalisation, free indirect discourse, characterisation, symbolism, motif, irony, tone, register, imagery, juxtaposition, structure, form, genre conventions.

Worked example: Turn a narrative sentence into an analytical one.

Narrative: "She leaves the village at night." Analytical: "The writer's choice to stage her departure at night suggests both secrecy and fear, foreshadowing the danger she will face."

Exam tip: Quote briefly and analyse at word level – long quotations rarely earn extra credit.

Check yourself

  1. What is free indirect discourse?
  2. Why organise essays by ideas rather than by plot?
  3. What makes a judgement "informed"?
Show answers
  1. Third-person narration that takes on a character's thoughts and voice.
  2. It keeps the focus on analysis and argument rather than retelling the story.
  3. It is supported by textual evidence, context and awareness of other interpretations.
Next topicPoetry: close critical analysis

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