The Official AQA Shakespeare Coursework Mark Scheme
Grade D (25-30 marks)
Candidates give a personal response to literary texts. They show understanding of meaning and some of the ways in which it is conveyed. They comment on aspects of structure, language and theme as well as expressing their views.
Candidates show understanding when discussing
♦ The nature and implications of the play and its structure
♦ The appeal of the play to an audience
♦ Shakespeare’s language
Candidates show understanding when discussing
♦ The writer’s attitudes and meaning
♦ Narrative sequence and structure
♦ The writer’s language
Grade C (31-36 marks)
Candidates give a personal and critical response to literary texts which show understanding of the ways in which meaning is conveyed. They refer to aspects of language, structure and themes to support their views.
Candidates show insight when discussing
♦ The nature of the play, its implications and relevance
♦ Characters, structure and stagecraft
♦ Shakespeare’s use of language
Candidates show insight when discussing
♦ The implications and relevance of a text
♦ Style, structure and characters
♦ The writer.s use of language
Grade B (37-42 marks)
Candidates develop a perceptive personal response. There is understanding of the techniques by which meaning is conveyed and of ways in which readers may respond. They support their responses with detailed references to language, theme, structure and context.
Candidates show analytical skill when exploring
♦ The play’s implications, contemporary relevance and historical context
♦ Characterisation, structure and theatricality
♦ Shakespeare’s use of linguistic devices
Candidates show analytical skill when exploring
♦ Implications, contemporary relevance and historical context of a text
♦ Style, structure and characterisation
♦ Language as characteristic of writer and period
Grade A (43-48 marks)
Candidates appreciate and analyse alternative interpretations, making cross references where appropriate. They develop their ideas and refer in detail to aspects of language, structure and presentation, making apt and careful comparison within and between texts.
Candidates show analytical and interpretative skills when evaluating
♦ The play.s moral and philosophical context
♦ Significant achievements within the dramatic genre
♦ Shakespeare’s exploitation of language for dramatic, poetic and figurative effect
Candidates show analytical and interpretative skills when evaluating
♦ The moral and philosophical context of a text
♦ Significant achievements within prose fiction genre
♦ The writer.s inventiveness with language for emotive, ironic or figurative effect
Grade A* (49-54 marks)
Candidates make cogent and critical responses to texts in which they explore and evaluate alternative and original interpretations. They show flair and precision in developing ideas with reference to structure and presentation. Candidates make subtle and discriminating comparisons within and between texts.
Candidates show originality of analysis and interpretation when evaluating
♦ The play.s moral, philosophical or social significance
♦ Shakespeare’s stagecraft and/or appeal to audience
♦ Patterns and details of words and images
Candidates show originality of analysis and interpretation when evaluating
♦ Moral, philosophical and social significance of a text
♦ The writer’s narrative craft and appeal to the reader
♦ Patterns and details of language exploited for implication or suggestion
