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Northern IrelandEnglish Literature

Unit 1: The Study of Prose

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do you build an argument about character and theme in a studied prose text, proving every point from the writer's choices?

Analysing character and theme in a studied prose text on Unit 1 (AO1), responding critically and selecting precise textual evidence to support a sustained interpretation.
How to analyse character and theme in a studied prose text for CCEA GCSE English Literature Unit 1: building a critical interpretation, tracking a character across the novel, and proving every point from precise textual evidence rather than retelling the plot.
11 min answer →

How do you analyse a prose writer's language, structure and form, and explain the effects they create?

Analysing language, structure and form in prose on Unit 1 (AO2), explaining how a writer's word choice, narrative method and organisation present ideas, themes and settings and create effects.
How to analyse language, structure and form in prose for CCEA GCSE English Literature Unit 1 (AO2): reading word choice and imagery for effect, analysing narrative viewpoint and structure, and linking every method to the writer's presentation of ideas and themes.
11 min answer →

How does a prose writer create setting and atmosphere, and how do you analyse those effects?

Analysing setting and atmosphere in prose on Unit 1 (AO2), explaining how a writer uses description, language and structure to build a sense of place and mood and to serve the novel's ideas.
How to analyse setting and atmosphere in prose for CCEA GCSE English Literature Unit 1 (AO2): reading how description, imagery, sensory detail and structure build a sense of place and mood, and linking setting to the novel's characters and themes.
10 min answer →

How do you plan and structure a literature essay so it argues a clear line and reaches a supported judgement?

Structuring the prose essay on Unit 1 (AO1), planning an analytical response with a clear line, evidenced paragraphs and a judgement, and managing time across the two sections.
How to plan and structure the prose essay for CCEA GCSE English Literature Unit 1: opening with a clear interpretation, building analytical paragraphs that argue rather than retell, reaching a supported judgement, and managing time across the studied and unseen sections.
11 min answer →

How do you analyse and evaluate an unseen nineteenth-century prose extract you have never read before?

Reading the unseen nineteenth-century prose extract on Unit 1 Section B (AO1 and AO2), analysing and evaluating how the writer uses language and structure on a text you have not studied.
How to tackle the unseen nineteenth-century prose extract on CCEA GCSE English Literature Unit 1 Section B: reading an unfamiliar Victorian text quickly, coping with older language, and analysing and evaluating the writer's methods under time pressure.
11 min answer →