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Component 4: Coursework and core skills

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do you apply critical theory and the critical anthology to sharpen an argument for AO5?

Applying critical theory for Edexcel AO5: understanding what AO5 rewards, using the critical anthology and named critical lenses to develop an argument, and testing interpretations against the text rather than name-dropping (AO1, AO2, AO5).
How to apply critical theory and the critical anthology for AO5 in Edexcel A-Level English Literature (9ET0): understanding what AO5 rewards, using named critical lenses to develop an argument, and testing interpretations against the text rather than name-dropping critics.
11 min answer →

How do you build a genuinely comparative argument that weaves texts together rather than treating them in turn?

Building a comparative argument for Edexcel English Literature: framing a comparative thesis, structuring by idea, weaving texts together with comparative connectives, and integrating method, context and criticism to maximise AO4 (AO1, AO2, AO3, AO4, AO5).
How to build a comparative argument in Edexcel A-Level English Literature (9ET0): framing a comparative thesis, structuring by idea, weaving texts together with comparative connectives, and integrating method, context and criticism to maximise AO4 across the comparative tasks.
11 min answer →

What do the five Edexcel assessment objectives reward, and how do they shape every answer you write?

The assessment objectives for Edexcel English Literature: what AO1 to AO5 each reward, how they are weighted and combined across the components, and how to target them in any answer (AO1, AO2, AO3, AO4, AO5).
What the five Edexcel A-Level English Literature assessment objectives reward (9ET0): AO1 argument, AO2 method, AO3 context, AO4 connections and AO5 interpretations, how they are weighted and combined across the components, and how to target them in any answer.
11 min answer →

How do you plan and write the Edexcel comparative coursework essay so it rewards independent, well-evidenced comparison?

The comparative coursework essay for Edexcel Component 4: choosing comparable texts and a focused question, building an independent comparative argument within the word count, and meeting all assessment objectives in the non-exam assessment (AO1, AO2, AO3, AO4, AO5).
How to plan and write the Edexcel A-Level English Literature comparative coursework essay (9ET0 Component 4): choosing comparable texts and a focused question, building an independent comparative argument within the word count, and meeting all five assessment objectives.
12 min answer →