How to Answer the ‘Power and Conflict’ Question

How to Answer the ‘Power and Conflict’ Question

It’s important to remember that the Power and Conflict question for AQA GCSE Literature is a comparative essay, so it needs a comparative structure that perfectly balances across both poems. Here, we’ll go through the best way to structure this essay so that it has a good balance of paragraphs and covers all of the assessment objectives. 

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How to Analyse Poetic Structure
Poetic Structure, Poetry, English Literature Natasha Tabani Poetic Structure, Poetry, English Literature Natasha Tabani

How to Analyse Poetic Structure

Technically, the ‘structure’ of the poem can include anything that the writer has deliberately done to organise or shape the poem in any way. But it’s also the intention or reason behind the choice that matters most - if you identify a technique without understanding the reason, you won’t be able to analyse it properly. 

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25 Poetic Devices for IGCSE
Poetic Devices, Poetry, English Literature Natasha Tabani Poetic Devices, Poetry, English Literature Natasha Tabani

25 Poetic Devices for IGCSE

When it comes to poetic devices, there’s almost an infinite amount that you could learn - but realistically, for iGCSE poetry, you probably only need to learn a list of the most common 20-25 features. Here’s a good manageable list for you to get used to - bear in mind that it’s better to know 20 devices well, instead of 50 devices in not much depth, because at theend of the day your analysis of HOW and WHY the technique is used counts for a lot more than being able to pick it out. 

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Othello: Is he to blame for his own downfall?
William Shakespeare, Othello, English Literature Natasha Tabani William Shakespeare, Othello, English Literature Natasha Tabani

Othello: Is he to blame for his own downfall?

When we think of Shakespeare’s Othello, we often picture a powerful general brought to ruin by jealousy. But was Othello simply a victim of his own emotions, or was there more going on? The truth lies in the tension between personal responsibility and the insidious forces of the society around him.

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10 Key Quotes from Act Two in ‘Othello’
English Literature, William Shakespeare, Othello Natasha Tabani English Literature, William Shakespeare, Othello Natasha Tabani

10 Key Quotes from Act Two in ‘Othello’

Here are 10 key quotations of the main events in Act Two in Shakespeare’s Othello. When writing essays, be sure to think about the structure of the plot, and whether specific passages or events occur at the play's beginning, middle or end. Use this to make deeper points about the characters and themes in your analysis.

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Othello AQA Tragedy: How to do the Extract  Question
Othello, English Literature, Essay Writing Natasha Tabani Othello, English Literature, Essay Writing Natasha Tabani

Othello AQA Tragedy: How to do the Extract  Question

For ‘Aspects of Tragedy’ A Level (AQA, 7717 English Literature B), you have to write two separate questions on Othello: An extract or passage-based question that focuses on close reading and linguistic analysis, and a wider reading general essay question that focuses more on themes and context. This post takes you through how to do the extract question. 

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Othello AQA Tragedy Grade Boundaries Explained
Othello, William Shakespeare, English Literature Natasha Tabani Othello, William Shakespeare, English Literature Natasha Tabani

Othello AQA Tragedy Grade Boundaries Explained

Firstly, it’s important to note that grade boundaries change a bit each year - so if you want to secure a specific grade, for example, an ‘A’, then I would recommend getting to a point where your writing is consistently at least 3-4 marks into an A standard, just in case the boundaries shift a bit on the year of your specific exam. 

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