Literature in English
HKDSE
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LOGO
Public exam
component
Weighting Duration
Paper 1
Appreciation
30%
2½ hours
Paper 2
Essay
Writing
Portfolio /
SBA
50%
3 hours
Paper 3
20%
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Assessment Objectives
Be familiar with the background and content
of stories, novels, plays and films, and the
techniques used in their works
Express your personal response
Write your arguments that can demonstrate
your creativity and critical thinking skills
Write freely, informally and imaginatively in
your portfolio
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Syllabus in THREE years
Form 4:
 10 short stories
 Around 12 poems
 Unseen poems
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Things to cover in short stories
 writer’s background
 understand the text first
 narrative techniques
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First / third person narration
Characterization
Plot
Irony
Symbolism
Suspense
 compare the writer’s styles in different stories
 learn how to write an analytical essay and
imaginative essay
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Things to cover in poems
 poets’ background
 main ideas of the poems
 poetic techniques
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Themes
Alliteration
Symbolism
Run-on-lines
Rhyming scheme
Repetition
 compare the poems
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Syllabus in THREE years
Form 5:
 1 novel: Lord of the Flies
 Around 6 poems
 Unseen poems
 Portfolio (Part 1): a film or performance
or play review OR a piece of creative
work
 8% of the subject mark
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Things to cover in the novel
 writer’s background
 understand the text first
 narrative techniques
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First / third person narration
Characterization
Plot
Irony
Symbolism
Suspense
 compare the novel with the short stories and the film
 learn how to write an analytical essay and imaginative
essay
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Things to cover in the film
 director’s background
 understand the film first
 cinematic techniques
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Shot sizes: e.g. extreme close-up, long shot
Lighting
Flashback
Split screen
Sound effects
 compare the film with short stories and novel
 learn how to write an analytical essay and
imaginative essay
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Syllabus in THREE years
Form 6:
 1 Shakespearean play: Othello
 Portfolio (Part 2: an extended essay of 1500 – 2000 words on a
theme/work/writer connected to learners’ study)
  12% of the subject mark
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Paper 1 Appreciation (30%)
You need to answer ONE question from each of the
following sections. (THREE questions in total)
 Section A: 10%
• Compare or analyze 1 or 2 passages from the
novel / play
 Section B: 12%
• Compare and analyze 2-3 poems (out of 18)
 Section C: 8%
• 1 or 2 unseen poems
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Paper 2 Essay Writing (50%)
You need to answer THREE questions in total.
 Part 1 (answer 2 essay questions from different
sections)
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Section A: Novel
Section B: Film
Section C: Short Stories
Section D: Play
 Part 2 (answer 1 essay question not covered in Part 1)
 Comparisons of 2-3 set texts
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Question samples
 Compare the effectiveness on the use of
symbols in bringing out the themes in
Othello and Lord of the Flies.
The danger of isolation is a common theme
to all the set texts. Choose at least two of the
set texts and describe the similarities and /
or differences in the way the writers express
this theme.
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Am I suitable?
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Do you like reading English books?
Up to how many pages?
Do you usually get a C or C+ in English?
After reading a book or watching a film, do you
usually think about its meaning or the people?
 Do you enjoy writing and express your views
from different angles?
 Do you want to achieve the following goals?
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Advantages of Studying Literature
 further enhance your English
 broaden your views
 Psychology  inner struggle, human thoughts
 Social issues  family, politics, relationships
 Philosophy  life and death, human nature /
weaknesses
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train your critical mind
be more expressive
be more thoughtful and creative
be more romantic … 
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If you think you can meet the above
requirements and want t achieve the
goals mentioned, you
probably choose
should
Literature!
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Useful website for syllabus & exam details
http://www.hkeaa.edu.hk/en/HKDSE/Subject_Information/NSS/lit_eng/index.html
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