OCR a level english literature paper 2

How do I hit 28-30 for the comparison and critical appreciation sections?I am told by teachers to include more ao2 for critical appreciations however I'm not sure whether this is more techniques, or more development of the techniques i already choose( and for how examiners recommend considering narrative methods over devices,I find it hard to spot vague stuff about the novelists 'style' and the perspective)For comparison,I'm not sure about the amount of interpetations you need to do and whether or not they need to be super thoughtful, i usually base my paragraphs on thematic ideas. Can anyone help it's fine if you are year 12.

Reply 1

Uehevdi

Hi, I’d recommend researching the genre of texts you are writing critical appreciations for as one way to help develop ao2. For example, I studied the gothic, so if I were to write about exclamations in a text I could say it shows heightened emotions typical of the gothic and compare it to specific moments in other gothic texts. I don’t think you need to be memorising really specific kind of punctuation (I depended on my gcse ao2 knowledge) but it’s good if you can pick up on unique techniques in texts. It wouldn't make sense to be given a text that is mostly dialogue or short sentences and then not comment on that. It’s also valuable to be able to link the way the author uses diff techniques to create an overall effect in a section of the text. The best way to revise for critical appreciations tho is to practice them, you can read previous exam papers and annotate techniques if you’re worried about that or make up your own sections. For comparative essays I tried to include ao5 in each comparative point; they don’t need to take up your entire essay. I embedded mine, but they should defo fit in with your theme or character. If you’re writing about gender you can include a general feminist perspective if you don’t have a specific critic.