Best way to answer AQA English Lit questions?

Hi. I'm aiming for an A* in my English Literature GCSE.

I've noticed that a the questions on the modern text paper, have parts A and B, but they seem to be marked collectively out of 30.

Do you think it would be a good idea to write one essay answering both questions at the same time, or separate parts A and B into different sections?

I just feel that I can be more sophisticated if I write it as one essay, and my writing tends to flow better. The one thing that is putting me off is that it says 'Part (a) and then Part (b)', which leads me to believe that they should be answered separately. The different teachers at my school seem to be saying different things, so anyone have any advice?

My exam is in a couple weeks. Thanks.

Can you give me a link to a past paper question so I can see what you mean? Also to see the type of questions they give.

Here you go, this is the one that I completed recently:

http://store.aqa.org.uk/qual/newgcse/pdf/AQA-47101H-W-QP-JUN11.PDF

Just to let you know, I would be completing either question 1 or 2, and then question 21.

PS: I just completed a poetry question. Damn timed conditions. I just read it back and if I had just 10 more minutes to plan my answers would be far better imo.

Hi. I'm aiming for an A* in my English Literature GCSE.

I've noticed that a the questions on the modern text paper, have parts A and B, but they seem to be marked collectively out of 30.

Do you think it would be a good idea to write one essay answering both questions at the same time, or separate parts A and B into different sections?

I just feel that I can be more sophisticated if I write it as one essay, and my writing tends to flow better. The one thing that is putting me off is that it says 'Part (a) and then Part (b)', which leads me to believe that they should be answered separately. The different teachers at my school seem to be saying different things, so anyone have any advice?

My exam is in a couple weeks. Thanks.

You answer them separately.
No need to compare either.

I'm doing that too, on the 22nd I think?

Yes, IMHO you should answer it as a whole question. Don't mind the parts. Like you said, it will make your essay flow nicely, thus more cohesive and coherent.

Another thing as well, you need to get used to writing under timed conditions. Make sure you have 5-10 minutes to plan. When you are revising, it is good to write essay plan for each question and if you have time write them under timed conditions without stopping then ask someone to mark it (your teacher?) or leave it for a day and mark it against a mark scheme.

Make sure you highlight the key words of the question too and focus on it. Don't stray away - every sentence must answer the question

Use varied and complex vocabulary

Hope this helps.

You answer them separately.
No need to compare either.

I'm doing that too, on the 22nd I think?

Correct me if I am wrong since it has been 3 years since I sat my GCSE AQA English Literature exam.

It is a higher level skill to be able to integrate the two questions together and compare them as not only you are talking about one novel but the other as well. You can give your own perspective and analysis and thus gain a higher mark. I can extrapolate from the paper that you don't necessarily have to answer them separately as the question is worth 30 marks not 15 marks separately.

That's what I would do anyway.

Yeah same! Good luck! I know you don't need to compare them (we're talking about the first question here right?). I kinda worked that out when it said in the mark scheme that this exam isn't marking A03.

You should answer them seperately, as they are two different questions. I am sitting the same exam as you are.

Hey, good luck! I feel that I will probably answer them in one though. I feel more comfortable writing that way, and will probably save me time.

The reason I say this is, for example, on the Of Mice and Men question, when I read a passage I come up with ideas to do with both character analysis and the stories cultural background. I think attempting to separate them into two parts would go against how my brain works, and would just make it look a bit clunky and basic imo.

Hey, good luck! I feel that I will probably answer them in one though. I feel more comfortable writing that way, and will probably save me time.

The reason I say this is, for example, on the Of Mice and Men question, when I read a passage I come up with ideas to do with both character analysis and the stories cultural background. I think attempting to separate them into two parts would go against how my brain works, and would just make it look a bit clunky and basic imo.

I'm doing a paper atm, how would you answer the question 'What methods does Steinbeck use in this passage to present Candy?' I'm mainly stuck on methods, because i dont really understand what it means. Thank you

Good luck to you too
Yeah I was talking about the first question too.

Um, you just answer them separately
http://dhsbookbabes.wordpress.com/2012/02/10/sunlight-on-the-grass-revision-essay-1/ << these are some examples I found online.. hope this answers your original question

You answer them separately. You only compare two texts (A03) in the poetry exam (Unit 2), not this Unit 1 exam.

Edit: Ninja'd so many times :/

No definatley answer them seperatley, doing one is too risky, their are two questions so the examiner is expecting to mark two answers. Im doing the same exam, im doing a practice paper now actually! I am doing To Kill A Mockingbird what are you doing?

I think probably the way he speaks, his actions and the way Steinbeck describes him.
Also the way other people talk about him too.

- hope this helped