Examination Guide - ENGLISH
Leaving Certificate Honours English
Paper I
This paper is divided into two sections, Section I: Comprehending (100 Marks) and Section II: Composing (100 Marks). Students have to answer three questions, A, B and a composition during the allocated time of two hours and 50 minutes. Time management is, therefore, an important consideration. In general it is recommended that you divide the time as follows:
Reading the entire paper 10-15 minutes
Question A 50-55 minutes
Question B 35 minutes
Composition 80 minutes
Remember these are recommendations; there is room for some flexibility. In Question B, for example, writing a memo should not take as long as writing a speech. Whatever slight adjustments you make to the timing guidelines, make sure you attempt all three questions, and in the case of Question A, all parts of the question. The time allotted to reading the paper should be used for that purpose. Do not overlook page 1, it gives you the theme of the three texts.
Some exam guidelines suggest the order in which you answer the questions. Far more important is the order in which you select the questions you are going to answer. Since you cannot answer Question A and Question B on the same text, play to your strengths by choosing first the Question B which best suits you. Then decide on which Question A and which Composition you will attempt.
Your answers will be assessed in relation to the following criteria:
Clarity of Purpose (P) 30%
Coherence of Delivery (C) 30%
Efficiency of Language Use (L) 30%
Accuracy of Mechanics (M) 10%
This means your answers are being judged on their relevance, structure, style, spelling and grammar. You should not begin your answer without some plan. For example, having chosen your Text A, read all the questions and then re-read the text with the questions in mind. Underline key words and phrases. Questions are mainly comprehension but some deal with style so consider the writer"s purpose, theme, tone, genre and use of imagery.
Write in paragraphs, one idea per paragraph. State this idea in the opening sentence and then develop it. Where appropriate support your answer with a quotation from the passage. Re-read what you have written and check its relevance.
Question B requires that you write in a particular format for a specified or implied audience. Here, as elsewhere in the exam, purpose, audience, register (PAR) are key considerations. The range of tasks is wide but on the day of the exam your choice is limited to one of just three options. Think long and hard before making your decision, your answer must prove to the examiner that you know the essential features of your chosen category.
Question B is difficult and you must prepare for it. As part of you revision, test yourself on the layout and headings of specific tasks. Your textbook is not your only resource, you will find useful material in the world around you - magazines, newspapers, TV, radio, travel brochures, property supplements etc.
The groundwork you do for Question B will prove beneficial in Section II. Your Composition is worth 25% of the total marks. At Leaving Cert Higher Level you need to write at least three A4 size pages. You have a choice of seven titles, each of which asks you to write in a particular language mode. The titles link with the texts in Section I so you can use the latter as a springboard for ideas.
Make sure you know the distinguishing features of you chosen mode, for example, both the language of argument and the language of persuasion seek to influence us, but the former does so by appealing to reason, the latter by appealing to emotion.
If you opt for a narrative essay, think SCAN, (setting, character, action, narration). Try to hook you audience with your opening line. Pay attention to how authors do this, for example, Truman Capote gives us no choice in his short story, My side of the Story, when he opens with the words, "I know what is being said about me, and you can take my side or theirs, that"s your own business." Not only has he instantly aroused our curiosity, he has also challenged us. Those of you who read Mildred Taylor"s, The Road to Memphis will remember her opening line, "It was hot. Mississippi hot."
These five simple words immediately transport us to a highly atmospheric world, a world at once exciting, oppressive, mysterious. Could you adapt those lines to portray an Irish setting, "It was grey. Connemara grey!" Try it.
When describing your characters don"t concentrate simply on their external world, give them an interior life, let us know some of their fears, dreams, most treasured possessions or memories. Don"t tell us, show us. Also in descriptive writing use all of the senses.
If you chose a debate or talk, remember to use the appropriate opening address and at the end thank your audience. Use humour, anecdotes, quotations (from songs, poems, speeches etc) where appropriate.
Pay attention to the structure, you must have an introduction, main body and conclusion.
Pay attention also to spelling and grammar.
Finally re-read your essay. Make sure what you have written relates to the title and that if flows smoothly from paragraph to paragraph. Correct any spelling and punctuation mistakes.
Leaving Certificate English
Paper II
Paper II has three sections and students must answer four questions. The time allowed is three hours and 20 minutes. Again students should make out a timetable for each section. The following is a general outline of time management:
Reading and Selecting 15 Minutes
Single Text (60 marks) 55 Minutes
Comparative (70 marks) 65 Minutes
Poetry (70 marks) 65 Minutes
The criteria used for assessment in Paper II is also PCLM. Examine the questions closely, identify all parts and underline key words. Plan your answer, making sure you address all the key points. Apart from the question on unseen poetry, all other questions are based on prescribed texts so there should be few surprises in this paper.
Know your texts thoroughly. As a Higher Level student you are expected to be able to analyse and evaluate your chosen text, you can"t do this if you are not sure of the details. This is particularly important in relation to the Single Text. Here, you need to know the themes, characters, genre, imagery and atmosphere.
In the exam, turn the statement into a question, eg "Essentially the play Macbeth is about power, its use and abuse" (LC 2007) becomes "Is the play Macbeth essentially about power, its use and abuse?" Now you can decide whether you agree/disagree, in part or in full. Give your reasons, supporting your argument with relevant quotations from the text. Keep your focus on the question, do not simply retell the story.
This also applies to your texts in the Comparative section. Unless asked for in the question, do not discuss the texts in separate paragraphs. You need to use the language of comparative analysis. Learn some linking words and phrases eg in contrast to, like/unlike, similarly, on the one/other hand, however, nevertheless, whereas. As a memory aid, when studying cultural context make out a grid with various headings - setting, class, power, wealth, role of men and women, religion etc. Know your key moments.
In poetry, you need to know the work of at least five of the eight poets prescribed. You are asked for a personal response but this has to be supported with evidence. Examiners reward knowledge and engagement. Learn some phrases/images. Your question will be on the work of a poet rather than a specific poem. Build up a short biography of each poet, note his/her interests and outlook, try to find evidence of these in the poems.
Do not paraphrase, your answer should deal more with how something is said rather than simply what is said. Demonstrate to the examiner that you know poetic techniques and understand their contribution to the poem.
Refer back to the question, if not in every paragraph, at frequent intervals and especially in your introduction and conclusion.
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