Leaving Certificate Higher Level. 2013
Paper 1.
2hours 50 minutes.
Identify the theme of the paper.
Read the instructions carefully before beginning all questions.
Allow 10 minutes at the end of the exam to read over your work.
Always keep the marking scheme in mind when answering all questions, Purpose, Coherence, Language, Mechanics.
Always underline exactly what you are being asked in every question.
Do Not Answer Question A and Question B from the same Text!!!!
Section 1: Comprehending. 50 Marks. Question A.
- Allow 50 minutes for this section.
- Read through all the texts and decide which Question A and Question B you will answer. Remember you cannot answer a question A and question B from the same text.
- Underline exactly what you are being asked in every question.
- When you have chosen your text, read it again, read the questions and re-read the text.
- Identify the genre(s) of language the text is written in.
- Re-phrase the question in your answer.
- Make sure you look at the marks awarded for each question and write your answer accordingly.
- Give at least 3 or 4 points per answer and divide your answers in paragraphs.
- For each point you make, you should use a quotation/line from the text to back up your answer.
- Your total answers should be at least 3 pages in length.
Section 1: Question B. 50 Marks.
- Allow 50 minutes for this section.
- Identify who you are writing for (your audience). Who is the target audience?
- Identify the genre(s) of language you are to write in and ensure you use the language of that genre accordingly e.g. persuasion - hyperbole.
- What format do you have to write in, e.g. Letter, diary entry, review, debate, etc?
- Your answer should be at least 2 pages in length.
- Underline exactly what you are being asked in the question.
- Make sure you brainstorm and plan your answer before you begin.
- Make sure you refer back to the question in your answer.
Section 2: Composing. 100 marks.
- Allow an hour for this section.
- Read through all the titles and pick the one you can write the most about.
- Identify the genre of language you are to write in ensure you write in the correct language.
- Underline exactly what you are being asked to do in the question.
- Brainstorm and plan your essay. Allow at least 8 Paragraphs.
- Refer to the title in your easy as much as possible.
- Write in the correct format, e.g. short-story, debate etc.
- Allow at least 4 pages of your answer book for this section.
- Try to be original.
Paper 2.
3 Hours and 20 minutes.
Section 1. Single Text: “Macbeth”, by William Shakespeare.
60 Marks.
-Spend 55 minutes on this section.
-You must answer on the play “Macbeth”.
- Read the questions carefully and always refer to the questions in your answers.
- Underline exactly what you are being asked in the question.
- Make sure you plan the essay question.
- Make sure you use quotes from the play to back up your answer.
- Your answers here should be about 4 pages in length.
Section 2: Comparative Study. 70 Marks. 55mins.
Film: “Casablanca
Play : “Sive”
Novel: “How Many Miles to Babylon
-You have a choice here; Cultural Context, Literary Genre, Theme or Issue. Do not answer in Literary Genre. Choose the option you understand best.
- Underline exactly what you are being asked in the question.
- Brainstorm and plan your essay very carefully.
- Refer to all 3 texts in your answer,
- One question will probably be divided into 2 questions (A and B), make sure you check how many marks are given to each question. State which part of the question you have now moved on to by putting “A” or “B” in the margin.
- Your answer should be 4 pages in length.
- Write an introduction and conclusion for your essay.
- Quote from your texts where applicable.
- Refer to key moments from texts to support the points you make in relation to the question.
- Read over your essay when finished and correct any mistakes you may have made.
Section 3: Poetry. Unseen Poetry. 20 Mins. 20 Marks.
- Read the poem, then read the questions, then read the poem.
-Your answers should be at least 2 pages in length.
- Underline exactly what you are being asked in the question.
- Make sure you use your poetic vocabulary e.g. image, metaphor, etc.
- Have 3 supporting points per answer and divide each answer into paragraphs.
- Use lines from the poem to back up each point you make.
- Re-phrase the question in each answer.
- Make sure you check how many marks each question is worth.
- The personal response should have at least 6 supporting points in your answer.
Prescribed Poetry. 50 Marks. 55 minutes.
- There will be four questions on the exam paper.
- Answer on the poet you know best.
- Underline exactly what you are being asked in the question.
- Brainstorm and plan your answer.
- Use your poetic language in you answer, e.g. personification, Simile, etc.
- Quote from all six poems in your answer.
- Give plenty of supporting points in your answers and re-phrase the question throughout your answer.
-Your answers should average 4 pages.
If you follow my time allocation you should have 15 minutes left. Plenty of time to read over your exam script and make corrections or add extra to your answers.
Pre-Exam Check List.
1. Have I practised answering comprehensions?£
2. Am I familiar with the five genres of language on the course:
. Information £
. Persuasion £
. Argument £
. Narrative £
. Aesthetic £
3. Can I write in all 5 genres? £
4. Do I know how to write…?
-Short-stories? £
-Reviews? £
-Magazine Articles? £
-Newspaper articles? £
-Web page articles? £
-Formal and informal letters? £
-Reports? £
-Dialogue? £
-Interviews? £
-Debates? £
-Speeches? £
-Guidelines/instructions? £
- Advertisements? £
-Brochure/Leaflet? £
- Text for radio talk? £
- Diary Entries? £
5. Can I plan an essay? £
6. Do I know how to write an introduction and conclusion? £
7. Can I write a Theme and Cultural contex comparative essay? £
8. Do I know my Comparative texts well? £
9. Do I know key moments from my Texts? £
10. Do I know comparative words to use in my essay? £
11. Can I quote 20 lines from “Macbeth”? £
12. Do I know a scene very well from “Macbeth”? £
13. Do I know the beginning and ending of “Macbeth”? £
14. Do I know the themes and characters well from “Macbeth”? £
12. Do I know all my poetry vocabulary, e.g. Simile, Metaphor? £
13. Do I know how to analyse an unseen poem? £
14. Do I know ALL my poets?
- Elizabeth
- Mahon
- Kinsella £
- Plath £
- Rich £
- Wordsworth £
15. Am I familiar with the layout of the paper? £
16. DO I KNOW THAT I AM NOT TO ANSWER A QUESTION A AND QUESTION B FORM THE SAME TEXT? £
Do Not Leave the Exam early!!!!
Just remember to write as much as you can. Good luck!!
