Level 3 Essay Questions: NOVEL
Plan each of the following essay questions.
Write the introduction for each.
Develop at least 2 of these before exams.
Hand into your teacher and take note of the feedback so you can aim to get to the next
level of achievement.
Choose ONE topic.
Read the whole topic and make sure you understand it before you begin your answer.
Write an essay of AT LEAST 400 words.
Your essay should develop a critical response based on close analysis of appropriate text(s).
You should support your ideas with relevant evidence.
You will be rewarded for demonstrating perceptive understanding and sustained insight.
Your essay should include:
• an introduction, clearly stating the focus and scope of the argument
• a range of appropriate points, supported by accurate and relevant evidence
• a reasoned conclusion.
Your essay should show accurate use and control of writing conventions.
1. “Characters and how they interrelate is the main focus of a novel.”
To what extent do you agree with this view? Respond to this question with close reference to one
or more novels you have studied.
2. “What matters most? In a novel, it is always the ideas.”
To what extent do you agree with this view? Respond to this question with close reference to one
or more novels you have studied.
3. “The imaginary world of a novel helps the reader to understand the author’s intentions.”
To what extent do you agree with this view? Respond to this question with close reference to one
or more novels you have studied.
4. Setting enhances the reader’s appreciation of important ideas in novels. To what extent do
you agree with this view? Your response should include close reference to a novel (or novels) you
have studied.
5. The novel is often concerned with human weakness and its consequences. To what extent
do you agree with this view? Your response should include close reference to a novel (or novels)
you have studied.
6. A novel usually depicts the journey of a character or characters. To what extent do you
agree with this view? Your response should include close reference to a novel (or novels) you
have studied.
7. To what extent do you agree that novels use a clash of opposites to present ideas?
Discuss your views with reference to a novel (or novels) you have studied.
8. To what extent do you agree that personal weakness is to blame for what happens to the
central character(s) in novels?
Discuss your views with reference to a novel (or novels) you have studied.
9. To what extent do you agree that novels show us that there is something to be gained from
standing up for what we believe, no matter what it costs? Discuss your views with reference to
a novel (or novels) you have studied.
Level 3 Essay Questions:
OTHELLO
Plan each of the following essay questions.
Write the introduction for each.
Develop at least 2 of these before exams.
Hand into your teacher and take note of the feedback so you can aim to get to the next
level of achievement.
Choose ONE topic.
Read the whole topic and make sure you understand it before you begin your answer.
Write an essay of AT LEAST 400 words.
Your essay should develop a critical response based on close analysis of appropriate text(s).
You should support your ideas with relevant evidence.
You will be rewarded for demonstrating perceptive understanding and sustained insight.
Your essay should include:
• an introduction, clearly stating the focus and scope of the argument
• a range of appropriate points, supported by accurate and relevant evidence
• a reasoned conclusion.
Your essay should show accurate use and control of writing conventions.
1. Use the following extracts as a starting point to discuss the change in Othello and
Desdemona’s relationship in the play.
Your discussion should involve comparison of the passages AND some
consideration of the play as a whole.
ACT ONE, SCENE THREE, lines 263–283 ACT THREE, SCENE FOUR, lines 31–45
2. To what extent is manipulation central to the play as a whole?
3. Shakespearean dramas are often studies of human frailty.
Use Othello to focus a discussion on the extent to which this is true.
4. Using detailed supporting evidence, discuss the extent to which ONE of the
following is a central theme or motif in the play:
Honesty
Jealousy
Vengeance
5. Shakespeare’s tragedies generally conclude with the downfall and death of
the noble protagonist. Discuss with detailed supporting evidence, whether or not
Othello can be considered a ‘noble protagonist’, given his murderous actions at
the end of the play.
6. Discuss with detailed supporting evidence, whether or not Othello can be
considered a ‘noble protagonist’, given his murderous actions at the end of
the play.
7. “In a tragedy, conflict and suffering draw out the true nature of the chief
characters inch by inch.” What do we learn in this way about “the true nature”
of Desdemona?
8. Use the two following passages as the starting point for a discussion of
Othello’s weaknesses. Your discussion should involve comparison of the
passages AND some consideration of the play as a whole.
ACT FOUR, SCENE ONE Lines 34-50
ACT FIVE, SCENE TWO Lines 1-22
Level 3 Essay Questions:
VISUAL TEXT
Plan each of the following essay questions.
Write the introduction for each.
Develop at least 2 of these before exams.
Hand into your teacher and take note of the feedback so you can aim to get to the next
level of achievement.
Choose ONE topic.
Read the whole topic and make sure you understand it before you begin your answer.
Write an essay of AT LEAST 400 words.
Your essay should develop a critical response based on close analysis of appropriate text(s).
You should support your ideas with relevant evidence.
You will be rewarded for demonstrating perceptive understanding and sustained insight.
Your essay should include:
• an introduction, clearly stating the focus and scope of the argument
• a range of appropriate points, supported by accurate and relevant evidence
• a reasoned conclusion.
Your essay should show accurate use and control of writing conventions.
1. Characters in films should be recognisable versions of ourselves. To what extent do you
agree with this view?
Your response should include close reference to one or more films you have studied.
2. The principal job of any film should be to please the audience. To what extent do you
agree with this view?
Your response should include close reference to one or more films you have studied.
3. Symbolism, narrative structure, and special effects are significant features of films.
Focusing on ONE OR MORE of these features, discuss the extent to which you agree with
this view. Your response should include close reference to one or more films you have
studied.
4. “Films are primarily concerned with the issues of everyday people.”
To what extent do you agree with this view? Respond to this question with close reference to
one or more films you have studied.
5. “The use of a range of production techniques can help a director to develop characters.”
To what extent do you agree with this view? Respond to this question with close reference to
one or more films you have studied.
6. “Dramatic conflict lies at the heart of a film.”
To what extent do you agree with this view? Respond to this question with close reference to
one or more films you have studied.
7. To what extent do you agree that the techniques of film are ideally suited to the treatment
of themes? Discuss your views with close reference to the treatment of a key theme in a
film (or films) you have studied, referring in detail to at least TWO techniques.
8. To what extent do you agree that film directors leave a distinctive mark on the films they
create? Discuss your views with close reference to a film (or films) you have studied.
9. To what extent do you agree that it is useful to categorise films by genre (eg
documentaries, action thrillers, ‘chick flicks’). Discuss your views with close reference to a film
(or films) you have studied.