Updated: Wednesday, 6th May, 2009 11:41am

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Examination Guide - English

There are two papers in the Leaving Certificate Ordinary Level English exam. Both provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate the ability to the range variety and power of the English language.

The Leaving Certificate English course focuses on the student"s ability to recognise and write based on the following categories and to identify the different ways the varying forms of language work.

• The language of information

• The language of persuasion

• The language of argument

• The language of narration

• The aesthetic use of language

Paper 1

This paper focuses on Language. It is divided into two sections with a total of 200 marks:

Section 1: Comprehending (100 marks)

Section 2: Composing (100 marks)

Students must answer both sections of the paper.

The allocated time for Paper One is 2 hours and 50 minutes; the following is a guideline to efficiently allocate your time:

Section 1 (A): Reading, comprehending (40 mins)

Section 1 (B): Writing in different genres (40 mins)

Section 2: Composing (90 mins)

Included in this time is your reading and selection of questions.

First and foremost, take note of the theme of the paper, it will be written on the front of your script. This theme will be reflected in both sections and can be a useful aid as an idea for your composition.

Section 1: Comprehending

This section of the paper is split into Question A: Reading and Comprehending and Question B: Writing in Different Genres. You are given three texts to choose from. You cannot answer Question A and Question B from the same text. It is important to read through all the A and B options, choose the Question B which suits you best and then choose which text you will answer Question A on.

Question A: Reading and Comprehending, in this section of the paper, you are assessed on your ability to understand, analyse, evaluate the passage. Bear in mind, the theme, tone, style and audience of the extract.

When you are reading the extract, you must identify the style of writing, whether it is persuasion, argument, narration or autobiographical. Once you have established the primary purpose of the passage, look at its style and presentation. Is there a lot of imagery used? Are images included to create an atmosphere, invoke a response or to illustrate a point? If the passage is persuasive or argumentative, is it supported with evidence? If so is this factual, statistical or anecdotal?

Once you have a clear understanding of the passage, look again at the questions which follow. Highlight and underline the main elements of the question which you will focus your answer on. Before you start your answer, jot down your main ideas and points that you will use in your answer, mark the passage for extracts you will include to support your points, it is vital that you plan every answer in advance.

The total marks for Question A is 50, this is split between the three questions, it is important to allocate the time you spend answering these questions in accordance with the marks allocated.

Question B: Writing in Different Genres. This section of the paper requires students to demonstrate an ability to write for a specific purpose e.g. constructing an advertisement, writing a letter or a diary entry. In preparation for this section, familiarise yourself with the varying writing styles and the layout and structures relevant to them.

Once you have established the chosen category that you wish to write on, you must then plan the points you are going to make, your layout and the language you must employ. When you are determining the language you must use, bear in mind your audience/readership.

You will gain marks in this section not on length but on your ability to write for an intended purpose, and that you demonstrate an awareness of the layout and structure required.

Section 2: Composition

This section of the paper carries the most marks and therefore requires the most attention (25% of total marks). As mentioned above, you should dedicate a full 90 minutes to this part of the paper. Included in this time is your essay plan, which is vital as a foundation for a well structured essay. You should aim 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 (see above). The titles are linked to the texts in section 1 of the paper; you can use these as inspiration for your composition. Carefully look at the list of composition titles and select wisely the title that suits you best.

First and foremost use a full page to brainstorm your ideas and to plan the structure of your essay. Once you have jotted down as many ideas that you can associate with the title, try to link these ideas and phrases. Once you have an array of phrases and ideas, you must then decide the order they will follow in the overall structure of the essay. A clear, logical structure is required by all students.

You should always begin with a strong introduction, your aim is to capture the attention of the reader, try to have a good opening line, e.g. a humorous quotation or an interesting statistic.

The introduction is followed by the body of the composition, which should contain at least five paragraphs, with each paragraph developing one point. Remember to continue a methodical structure with each point relevant to the next. Use linking devices to assist with a logical continuity e.g. "nevertheless", "conversely", "yet" and "accordingly" "thus" and "as a result". Finally your closing paragraph is the last impression you give to the reader so you should draw all your points together, and also briefly remind the reader about what you have said in a clear and non - repetitive manner.

Lastly, always reread your work, making sure to correct any spelling mistakes or grammatical errors.

Paper 2

This paper is divided into three sections with a total of 200 marks:

Section 1: Single Text (60 marks)

Section 2: The Comparative Study (60 marks)

Section 3: Poetry (60 marks)

Students must answer all three sections of the paper.

The allocated time for paper two is three hours and 20 minutes; the following is a guideline to efficiently allocate your time:

Section 1: Single Text (60 mins)

Section 2: The Comparative Study (70 mins)

Section 3: Poetry (70 mins)

Included in this time is your reading and selection of questions.

Section 1: The Single Text

In preparation for this section of the paper, make sure you know your single text thoroughly. Focus your revision on theme and technique - characterisation, imagery, key moments, tone, mood and structure. Prepare and learn key quotes, the use of language and imagery, characters, the writer"s representation of them, their motivation and their actions.

You must answer all the questions on the text you have studied. Read through all of the questions, choosing wisely from the options the ones that suit you best. Highlight and underline the main areas you will focus your answer on. If you are asked for "your opinion" or "your point of view", make sure that your answer expresses these both clearly and logically. Remember not to give a "narrative" style answer, unless specifically asked, it is not necessary to give a summary of the text, instead simply keep your answer focused on what"s being asked of you in the question.

Section 2: The Comparative Study

This section of the paper provides you with the opportunity to demonstrate your ability to discuss similarities and differences between a variety of texts. For each of your three texts, you must revise these comparisons under the following headings: Theme, Relationships and Social Setting. Choose key moments and quotations which best illustrate these headings. As with the single text, avoid repeating the story of the text in your answer, instead remain focused throughout on the question.

Spend a few minutes preparing your answer, focusing on your paragraph structure. Make use of linking words and phrases to "compare and contrast" your texts, e.g. "similarly", "again in X we see…", "likewise in…", "In contrast to..", "unlike what happens in…". When you make a point about one text, compare this with another text using these linking words or phrases.

When making comparisons between the texts, keep your points, short clear and concise. After each paragraph re-read it and make sure that you have not simply focused on one text but that you have mentioned at least one of the other two also. Remember, know your key moments and your modes of comparison for all three texts.

Section 3: Poetry

This section is split into Unseen Poetry (20 marks) and Prescribed Poetry (50 marks).

The Unseen section gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your ability to give a personal response to a poem, whilst being able to discuss the poetic techniques, language and imagery used in the poem.

Before you begin your answer, read the poem a couple of times, asking yourself, what is the poet trying to say?

What is the main theme or idea being expressed? Look at the language, has the poet made use of alliteration, rhyme, onomatopoeia or imagery? Take note of the title of the poem, what relation does it have to the poem itself? You must also develop a personal opinion or feeling towards the poem, this is your reaction which you may be asked to express.

For the Prescribed Poetry section of this paper, you will have prepared in class a variety of poems, you will answer one of the four poems on the paper. There are both compulsory and optional questions for the prescribed poem.

You will have three 10 mark question and one 20 mark question, you must allocate your time accordingly. It is essential that you use references from the poem in your answers, that you remain focused on what is being asked whilst maintaining a personal response.