AQA A-Level English Literature B Prose NEA

2

I've been told that I need to start writing the first draft of my prose NEA for English, but my teacher hasn't really given us guidance on how to do it. She just said to write it and none of us have any idea on what we're supposed to do.

I've chosen 'American Psycho' and my question is "TO WHAT EXTENT IS PATRICK BATEMAN A REFLECTION OF THE ALIENATION AND MORAL DECAY PRESENT IN A 1980s CAPITALIST SOCIETY, PARTICULARLY ITS OBJECTIFICATION OF WOMEN?"
I want to analyse it from both a marxist and feminist perspective.

Any tips on how to get started/how to write the essay would be really appreciated :smile:

Reply 1

perusingbat

12

Original post

by dmsh07

I've been told that I need to start writing the first draft of my prose NEA for English, but my teacher hasn't really given us guidance on how to do it. She just said to write it and none of us have any idea on what we're supposed to do.
I've chosen 'American Psycho' and my question is "TO WHAT EXTENT IS PATRICK BATEMAN A REFLECTION OF THE ALIENATION AND MORAL DECAY PRESENT IN A 1980s CAPITALIST SOCIETY, PARTICULARLY ITS OBJECTIFICATION OF WOMEN?"
I want to analyse it from both a marxist and feminist perspective.
Any tips on how to get started/how to write the essay would be really appreciated :smile:

If I'm being perfectly honest, your essay question is incredibly complex. I'm not particularly sure who allowed you to continue with this essay question, as you would have to define so much. Whilst it's entirely possible to write a top band answer to this question, it will be a very difficult. If you think about past paper questions, none of those questions are that complicated. I'd recommend altering the question to help you get a top grade.

If you choose to continue with this question (which I do not recommend), here is how I would go about it:

1.

define the key words e.g. who is alientated?, why are they alienated? how are they alienated?, what are the moral decays?, how are the moral decays shown?, why is there moral decay?, what are the features of an 80s capitalist society?, how are women being objectified?, why are they being objectified? etc (this is why im saying your question is too complicated)

2.

analyse through ONE LENS. Pick between feminist or marxist lens (i'd suggest marxist). You do NOT getting higher marks from analysing through 2 lens. Stick to one lens.

3.

have a thesis statement

4.

draw out a for and against grid

5.

research marxism

6.

you do NOT need that many references. I used 4 and got an A*.

7.

write and plan the essay as how you would plan and write any normal A-level essay (for example, in the Aspects of Comedy paper, you analyse through a comedic lense)

8.

find key moments which is rich in literary techniques (be mindful of macro and micro techniques)

Reply 2

m4nqhil

Original post

by dmsh07

I've been told that I need to start writing the first draft of my prose NEA for English, but my teacher hasn't really given us guidance on how to do it. She just said to write it and none of us have any idea on what we're supposed to do.
I've chosen 'American Psycho' and my question is "TO WHAT EXTENT IS PATRICK BATEMAN A REFLECTION OF THE ALIENATION AND MORAL DECAY PRESENT IN A 1980s CAPITALIST SOCIETY, PARTICULARLY ITS OBJECTIFICATION OF WOMEN?"
I want to analyse it from both a marxist and feminist perspective.
Any tips on how to get started/how to write the essay would be really appreciated :smile:

hi i’ve finished my nea and I would say do lots of research on different critics and their opinions on the text, and include them in ur nea. Provide different views of the text but also ur own view, and make sure that you are very thorough with ur references to the text and always link back the question! try to look for feminist/ marxist ideas like alienation and link them to the text. my teacher told us to do either feminist or a marxist reading and not both, as this can seem like ur jumping between topics and not as detailed and specific, but I would say if you can link feminism to marxism like the role of women in a capitalist society it would be great.

Reply 3

Tash079

7

Just a quick post to signpost the general guidance on the AQA website:

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/a-level/english-7717/specification/subject-content/theory-and-independence#Theory_and_independence

Reply 4

Bobbbbbbbbbbbbb3

1

I would say spend much longer developing your own understanding of the text than looking at critics. Sure you can incorporate a few, but you're not gonna get top marks for sticking different opinions together. They want to see that you've developed your own understanding of the text.

Apart from that, treat it as any essay. Make sure you pick a book you love- not just one you think you can get a good grade on. Shorter ones are easier to analyse. Make sure you know the Marxist section of the AQA critical anthology inside out- that's going to be the framework for your essay. All the 'critics' you need are within those few pages of the Marxist chapter. Or feminist equally- but only pick one. You need to develop ideas fully within 1500 words, why complicate your life?

Once you know the book and critical anthology well, writing an essay on it should be enjoyable, and not very difficult. Write an essay you're happy with first, then cut back on superfluous words later. Good luck!

Reply 5

ovidianoctober

4

Original post

by dmsh07

I've been told that I need to start writing the first draft of my prose NEA for English, but my teacher hasn't really given us guidance on how to do it. She just said to write it and none of us have any idea on what we're supposed to do.
I've chosen 'American Psycho' and my question is "TO WHAT EXTENT IS PATRICK BATEMAN A REFLECTION OF THE ALIENATION AND MORAL DECAY PRESENT IN A 1980s CAPITALIST SOCIETY, PARTICULARLY ITS OBJECTIFICATION OF WOMEN?"
I want to analyse it from both a marxist and feminist perspective.
Any tips on how to get started/how to write the essay would be really appreciated :smile:

I'm sorry but I think you should change your title - it's a good question, but better for a degree level essay, and too much to deal with in the word limit. Also, if you choose to do both Marxism and Feminism, you're losing an option for the poetry essay - stick to one or the other.

If I were you, I'd do something like, "Bret Easton Ellis' presentation of Patrick Bateman is an apt criticism of 1980s Yuppie Culture. To what extent do you agree?" (Marxist perspective.) Then your line of argument could be the depiction of moral decay, with a viewpoint focussed on female characters in the novel. (Maybe confront your teacher over this as well though, she should know what essays do better.)

(edited 9 months ago)

Reply 6

Bobbbbbbbbbbbbb3

1

If you're struggling with the essay structure itself, I'm happy to help you out- but doesn't sound like you're that deep in yet

Reply 7

dmsh07

OP

2

Original post

by perusingbat

If I'm being perfectly honest, your essay question is incredibly complex. I'm not particularly sure who allowed you to continue with this essay question, as you would have to define so much. Whilst it's entirely possible to write a top band answer to this question, it will be a very difficult. If you think about past paper questions, none of those questions are that complicated. I'd recommend altering the question to help you get a top grade.
If you choose to continue with this question (which I do not recommend), here is how I would go about it:

1.

define the key words e.g. who is alientated?, why are they alienated? how are they alienated?, what are the moral decays?, how are the moral decays shown?, why is there moral decay?, what are the features of an 80s capitalist society?, how are women being objectified?, why are they being objectified? etc (this is why im saying your question is too complicated)

2.

analyse through ONE LENS. Pick between feminist or marxist lens (i'd suggest marxist). You do NOT getting higher marks from analysing through 2 lens. Stick to one lens.

3.

have a thesis statement

4.

draw out a for and against grid

5.

research marxism

6.

you do NOT need that many references. I used 4 and got an A*.

7.

write and plan the essay as how you would plan and write any normal A-level essay (for example, in the Aspects of Comedy paper, you analyse through a comedic lense)

8.

find key moments which is rich in literary techniques (be mindful of macro and micro techniques)

thank you - this is very helpful :smile:

Reply 8

dmsh07

OP

2

Original post

by m4nqhil

hi i’ve finished my nea and I would say do lots of research on different critics and their opinions on the text, and include them in ur nea. Provide different views of the text but also ur own view, and make sure that you are very thorough with ur references to the text and always link back the question! try to look for feminist/ marxist ideas like alienation and link them to the text. my teacher told us to do either feminist or a marxist reading and not both, as this can seem like ur jumping between topics and not as detailed and specific, but I would say if you can link feminism to marxism like the role of women in a capitalist society it would be great.

thanks a lot :smile:

Reply 9

dmsh07

OP

2

Original post

by Tash079

Just a quick post to signpost the general guidance on the AQA website:
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/a-level/english-7717/specification/subject-content/theory-and-independence#Theory_and_independence

thanks I'll check it out :smile:

Reply 10

dmsh07

OP

2

Original post

by Bobbbbbbbbbbbbb3

I would say spend much longer developing your own understanding of the text than looking at critics. Sure you can incorporate a few, but you're not gonna get top marks for sticking different opinions together. They want to see that you've developed your own understanding of the text.
Apart from that, treat it as any essay. Make sure you pick a book you love- not just one you think you can get a good grade on. Shorter ones are easier to analyse. Make sure you know the Marxist section of the AQA critical anthology inside out- that's going to be the framework for your essay. All the 'critics' you need are within those few pages of the Marxist chapter. Or feminist equally- but only pick one. You need to develop ideas fully within 1500 words, why complicate your life?
Once you know the book and critical anthology well, writing an essay on it should be enjoyable, and not very difficult. Write an essay you're happy with first, then cut back on superfluous words later. Good luck!

thank you!! :smile:

Reply 11

dmsh07

OP

2

Original post

by ovidianoctober

I'm sorry but I think you should change your title - it's a good question, but better for a degree level essay, and too much to deal with in the word limit. Also, if you choose to do both Marxism and Feminism, you're losing an option for the poetry essay - stick to one or the other.
If I were you, I'd do something like, "Bret Easton Ellis' presentation of Patrick Bateman is an apt criticism of 1980s Yuppie Culture. To what extent do you agree?" (Marxist perspective.) Then your line of argument could be the depiction of moral decay, with a viewpoint focussed on female characters in the novel. (Maybe confront your teacher over this as well though, she should know what essays do better.)

thank you - I forgot about the poetry NEA 😭

Reply 12

19tawade

1

Original post

by perusingbat

If I'm being perfectly honest, your essay question is incredibly complex. I'm not particularly sure who allowed you to continue with this essay question, as you would have to define so much. Whilst it's entirely possible to write a top band answer to this question, it will be a very difficult. If you think about past paper questions, none of those questions are that complicated. I'd recommend altering the question to help you get a top grade.
If you choose to continue with this question (which I do not recommend), here is how I would go about it:

1.

define the key words e.g. who is alientated?, why are they alienated? how are they alienated?, what are the moral decays?, how are the moral decays shown?, why is there moral decay?, what are the features of an 80s capitalist society?, how are women being objectified?, why are they being objectified? etc (this is why im saying your question is too complicated)

2.

analyse through ONE LENS. Pick between feminist or marxist lens (i'd suggest marxist). You do NOT getting higher marks from analysing through 2 lens. Stick to one lens.

3.

have a thesis statement

4.

draw out a for and against grid

5.

research marxism

6.

you do NOT need that many references. I used 4 and got an A*.

7.

write and plan the essay as how you would plan and write any normal A-level essay (for example, in the Aspects of Comedy paper, you analyse through a comedic lense)

8.

find key moments which is rich in literary techniques (be mindful of macro and micro techniques)

hiya! i'm also doing this nea, i was wondering if i could read your prose essay as i'm struggling with basically what it's meant to look like/be lol - totes okay if not !!!

Reply 13

perusingbat

12

Original post

by 19tawade

hiya! i'm also doing this nea, i was wondering if i could read your prose essay as i'm struggling with basically what it's meant to look like/be lol - totes okay if not !!!

Yes. Send me a PM and drop me your email.

Reply 14

19tawade

1

OMGG thank you so much!

Reply 15

ndwphere

2

Original post

by perusingbat

Yes. Send me a PM and drop me your email.

Hi sorry to ask, but is it possible if i can also have a look at your prose essay ?. I'd be super grateful. I'm in the midst of attempting to write my NEA for aqa lit b as well and am sort of stuck.

AQA A-Level English Literature B Prose NEA

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