English Hub School Networks AS and A-level English Literature - Autumn 2017 - This meeting will be recorded - Exam board audio recording requirement

Oct 20, 2026

Autumn 2017 English Hub School network briefing for AS and A-level English Literature focuses on lessons from the first series and the GCSE to A-level transition. It covers the day’s structure, agenda items for English Literature A and Literature B, and detailed guidance for answering A-level exam questions, including the meaning of “answer the question,” significance, and using extracts effectively. It also explains Ofqual recording requirements, storage and non-sharing of audio for one year.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPPTX

Pages78

Reading Time3 h 17 min

AccessFree to download

Structure of the day

English Literature A: lessons from the first series

The GCSE to A-level transition

English Literature B: lessons from the first series

A-level English Literature A

Agenda: English Literature A

Talking points and NEA reflections

Introductions

Reflections on NEA

What ‘answer the question’ means

Six steps to ‘answering the question’

A note on ‘significance’

Using extracts effectively

Questions based on extracts: AS

English Hub School networksAS and A-level English Literature 1 Autumn 2017 Lessons from the first series and the GCSE to A-level transition This meeting will be recorded Exam boards have an Ofqual requirement to record event audio. Recordings are kept for one year and not shared as an accompaniment to session resources. The recording will begin now. 2 Structure of the day English Literature A: lessons from the first series The GCSE to A-level transition English Literature B: lessons from the first series 3 A-level English Literature A Lessons from the first series (June 2017) 4 Autumn 2017 Agenda: English Literature A Introductions and NEA reflections Answering the question Using extracts effectively Focus on AO4 and AO5 5 Talking points and NEA reflections 6 Introductions Are you teaching AS? Why have you chosen to teach Literature A? What is the philosophy for choosing this specification? Which option have you chosen for Paper 2? How did you decide? Which texts have you chosen for study? How and why did you select those texts for teaching? Would you change any of your approaches over the next year? 7 Reflections on NEA How did you approach NEA? How are you ensuring that the NEA element is independent? How do your students choose the texts they will study? What are your top tips? Would you approach the NEA differently based on your experience of the last year? 8 Reflections on NEA See the NEA: prohibited texts appendix. Share with students so that they can check their text choices. Our advisers are on hand to support you with any NEA issues or questions you may have. They can: explain the new NEA requirements share teaching ideas demonstrate approaches to the tasks assist with text choices and task setting. If you've not received your NEA adviser details by email, email us at English-GCE@aqa.org.uk 9 What ‘answer the question’ means 10 What ‘answer the question’ means This is our mantra throughout, but what does it mean? Respond directly to the main command word/s. Identify the required constituent tasks and carry them out. Credit the shared context. 11 What ‘answer the question’ means So, take a question such as A-level Paper 1 Section A Question 1 from this summer: ‘As lovers, Othello and Desdemona either worship or despise one another. There is no middle ground.’ In the light of this view , discuss how Shakespeare presents Othello’s and Desdemona’s attitudes towards one another in this extract and elsewhere in the play. 12 Six steps to ‘answering the question’ The main task is to discuss Othello’s and Desdemona’s attitudes towards one another. The main source is the extract… …but the question asks for relevant cross reference to elsewhere in the play. 13 Six steps to ‘answering the question’ 4. The discussion must be in the light of the critical view. 5. The key words of the view need attention: ‘worship’, ‘despise’, ‘middle ground’. 6. The shared context of love through the ages also needs attention. It’s signalled by ‘As lovers…’ 14 A note on ‘significance’ This is the invitation to debate: ‘significance’ is a key word in some of our A-level questions. ‘Significance’ is not the same as importance; it is about what is signified, what meanings arise in terms of values and ideas and how these meanings are produced by what writers do and the methods they use. ‘Significance’ invites students to think about what messages are given out by the text. Are particular characters and ideas given preferential treatment? Are other characters and ideas neglected or sidelined? ‘Significance’ involves the kind of ideology that is embedded or endorsed by the text. ‘Significance’ can also be addressed in terms of the narrative of the text or of its dramatic direction and construction. ‘Significance’ incorporates cultural, social and moral contexts that emerge from the text. One way meanings arise is the way the text works within generic conventions – or against them. Genres evolve and mutate and texts can be significant in the way they co

FAQs

Why are event audio recordings made, and how long are they kept?

Exam boards must record event audio to meet an Ofqual requirement. Recordings are kept for one year and are not shared alongside session resources.

What does “answer the question” require in A-level responses?

Responses should address the main command word(s) directly, identify and complete the required constituent tasks, and credit the shared context referenced by the question.

How should extracts be used effectively for answering critical views?

At AS and A-level, extract-based questions require close reference to the extract because it supports responding to the critical view. Students should also set time to read for narrative/structural overview and understand key details.

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by anakgang17