English Lit A-level initial grade

2

Hi, I am a year 12 taking english literature, I am taking all essay subjects so I am confident in my essay skills. However I got my first essay back on Othello and got a D. This is far lower then any of my other subjects. Is this normal or should I work harder?

Reply 1

Kuriknowsbest98

17

Original post

by beafoster

Hi, I am a year 12 taking english literature, I am taking all essay subjects so I am confident in my essay skills. However I got my first essay back on Othello and got a D. This is far lower then any of my other subjects. Is this normal or should I work harder?

Getting a D on your first Othello essay isn’t unusual, especially if it’s your first essay of the year or your teacher is marking very strictly. English Lit can be tricky because essays are judged on analysis, understanding of themes, context, and use of textual evidence, not just writing ability. Even if you’re confident in essays generally, Shakespeare can require very precise textual references and argument structure.
It doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not good at English it might just show where to focus. Look carefully at your teacher’s feedback, see where marks were lost (quotes, analysis, structure, language points), and work on those areas in your next essay. Practising paragraph structure, linking points clearly, and deepening your analysis will usually make a big difference.

Reply 2

beafoster

OP

2

Thank you so much for taking the time to give me such lovley advice! I will definitely try to work on the feedback my teacher gave me, my class haven’t finished the whole book yet so maybe thats what is setting me back?

Reply 3

Kuriknowsbest98

17

Original post

by beafoster

Thank you so much for taking the time to give me such lovley advice! I will definitely try to work on the feedback my teacher gave me, my class haven’t finished the whole book yet so maybe thats what is setting me back?

Of course! Also that could be it.

Reply 4

username7727897

9

Original post

by beafoster

Hi, I am a year 12 taking english literature, I am taking all essay subjects so I am confident in my essay skills. However I got my first essay back on Othello and got a D. This is far lower then any of my other subjects. Is this normal or should I work harder?

Yes, as a lit student I experienced this. It’s marked to the standard of what it would be in a real A-level exam. You’re going to still be reliant on methods you used at GCSE right now so you won’t be getting much higher than a D or a C. I remember our class was told there’s no reason to be concerned because a D at A-level is around about a B at GCSE and that’s decent if you’re newer to the content.

English Lit A-level initial grade

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