Topic Nine (0.9): Successful Essay Writing – Style Tip 6: Using Critical Perspectives (New for AL)

Introduction

At AL, a fifth and new assessment criteria is introduced: AO5 (Evaluation of opinion). AO5 is described in the mark scheme as ‘The ability to discuss and evaluate varying opinions and interpretations of literary works.’ You will therefore need to read a range of critical opinions about each of your AL texts, and then quote from these in your essays (both passage-based and wider questions).

Using critical viewpoints in your essays at A Level shows the examiner that you have read around your set texts, that you are aware of the key interpretations and you understand that there is more than one way to view a text, its characters, themes and message.

At A Level, you need to refer to critical viewpoints in the exam, which means you will need to learn some key critical quotations, in addition to the quotations from the texts themselves, as part of your revision.

  Task

• The following document explains how to select and use a range of critical perspectives and uses some real examples which relate to your AL texts. Print it out and read it very carefully now:

PRINT OUT & READ – Style Tip 6: Using Critical Perspectives

• Please be aware that you will be expected to quote from critical sources from Assignment One onwards on this course.