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Essay Guidance (AQA A2 Examination)
4. Writing a main body paragraph.
There are four steps for structuring an essay paragraph in a timed exam.
- DESCRIBE as an actor or director
- QUOTE
- CREATE
- JUSTIFY FOR AUDIENCE
What will the examiners look for?
You should be aware that the examiners will be marking the essay in alignment with descriptors from AQA. You’ll get two marks added together AO2+AO3. You’ll see that AO3 is worth more. You should try to cover these descriptors throughout your essay including some in every paragraph.
‘Consistent inventiveness’ using performance or production elements (AO2)
Confident, accurate use of specialist terms. Very clear expression (AO2)
Very sound theoretical understanding of the play (AO2)
Purposeful use of text in action (AO2)
17 marks
Purposeful reference is made to the Commedia genre (AO3)
Choices of quote are appropriate to the question (AO3)
Your creative overview of the play is consistent with your interpretation of character (AO3)
Focussed attention on effecting effects for the audience (AO3)
33 marks
50 marks total
In the exam example below you can see how a student has used these descriptors to ensure her ideas are fully communicated within the mark scheme.
How would you want your audience to respond to Beatrice? Discuss how you would perform the role, in two sections of the play, in order to achieve your aims.
Student’s second paragraph...
The costume that Beatrice wears is of utmost importance to her character and also the farcical nature of the play.
Purposeful reference is made to the Commedia genre (AO3)
When pretending to be Federigo Rasponi, I would wear a ruffled shirt with padding underneath so as to keep the façade of having a 'manly' figure. I would also have my hair tied up and wear a fake moustache my face, so that when her character is discovered, I could dramatically let my hair down and rip off the moustache to shock the other characters and provide comedy for the audience.
Very sound theoretical understanding of the play (AO2)
Your creative overview of the play is consistent with your interpretation of character (AO3)
As she says that she ‘borrowed my brother's clothing’,
Choices of quote are appropriate to the question (AO3)
I could possibly wear a necklace with the Rasponi family emblem on it so as to give credibility to my disguise.
Very sound theoretical understanding of the play (AO2)
‘Consistent inventiveness’ using performance or production elements (AO2)
I would also carry Federigo's sword with me at all times, not only to keep up the pretence of being a man, but also to show her grief at losing her brother, so she wants to keep his memory alive.
Your creative overview of the play is consistent with your interpretation of character (AO3)
