4 responses to the AQA Lnaguage Paper 1 Question 5 in the May 2024 exam. Exemplars A and B are responses to the describe question. Exemplars C and D are responses to the narrative question. All 4 responses follow the familiar drop, shift, zoom, leave method. I have not included the exact wording questions themselves but these can be downloaded from the AQA website.

6 theme revision cards for 6 key themes in Jekyll and Hyde.

A 12 page model answer booklet for the AQA Language Paper 2 November 2022 exam where the topic of the non-fiction texts was sleep and sleeplessness. For each question 2-5 there are two model answers side by side so students can compare and contrast the merits of each answer.

A 13 page model answer booklet for the AQA Language Paper 2 Exam where the theme for the non-fiction texts was camping. There are two high level responses for each question so students can compare the merits of each response and decide which is better. I have not included question 1 because, of course, it is just multiple choice.

2 model narratives about a disagreement and 2 model descriptions about a very hot place. They have all been written deliberately to try and meet the AQA assessment objectives. Both the descriptions and the narratives employ the drop, shift, method, leave structure and include an object as a motif while also including a single sentence paragraph after every long paragraph to further demonstrate how the responses have been deliberately crafted and structured for effect. Ambitious vocabulary is sustained and advanced punctuation is used for effect.

A high level response on the character of Mrs Birling. Also includes various support sheets and worksheets for analysing the character of Mrs Birling in depth.

A Paper 2 Question 5 focused lesson that asks students to give their views on the idea of teenagers completing compulsory national service. Students read two sample responses - one primarily agrees with the statement and one primarily agrees. Then students complete their own response using the structure provided. Extra time is spent looking at how to start off the article in a way that garners an emotional connection with the reader.

A high level response exploring the significance of the island in Lord of the Flies.

A revision sheet revising 5 key quotations for the 6 main characters in Jekyll and Hyde. Also includes a blank version without the analysis of the quotations so that students can have a go at analysing the quotations themselves. Alternatively, the blank template can be used to check how much they can recall. Also includes a context revision sheet.

3 different A Christmas Carol model responses exploring how Scrooge learns important life lessons across the novella. A similar type of question came up in the AQA May 2024 examination. I included 3 different responses so it can be used to show different ways of approaching the question. One response for example, analyses how each ghost imparts important life lessons to Scrooge. Another response explores how Fred, Fezziwig, Tiny Tim and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come all act as mentors in facilitating Scrooge’s transformation. They have been written to meet the requirements for Band 5 and 6 on the mark scheme because they are consistently thoughtful with moments that could one could argue are perceptive in the way they meet the AOs… They may be useful for departmental moderation or for students considering about different ways of structuring their examination responses.

A revision activity that asks students to consider deeply the impact of the key 1 or 2 quotations in each poem. With so many poems to remember, I look to ensure all students have a high level of confidence with 1 or 2 key quotations from each poem that they can use to both zoom in to authorial methods for A02 then zoom out to explore authorial message for A03. There are two versions to the activity - a) one quotation per poem or b) two quotations per poem. The version you use will depend on your group and how much they can complete in a typical session. My most comprehensive resource on Power and Conflict poetry is available here with revision posters on every poem: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/power-and-conflict-revision-sheets-12884928

A knowledge organiser looking at how every poem in the Power and Conflict anthology can be compared to Exposure. Exposure is a key poem to revise because it links to many themes: power of nature, human power(lessness), loss of identity, conflict with identity, power of a place. Contains 14 high level comparative paragraphs comparing a key quotation from Exposure and another poem to provide an example of how to make a thoughtful and perceptive conceptual comparison. Also contains a revision sheet looking solely at the key quotations in Exposure with detailed analysis linked to the AOs.

A timeline charting Shakespeare’s use of the motif of blood across the play.

Ideal as a final lesson in the run up to the exam, this lesson is aimed at teaching students to explore multiple interpretations of each of the 12 main characters in A Christmas Carol. Students are given the blank template and are encouraged to think of 3 things each character symbolises or represents. Then go through the PowerPoint asking students to consider which is the most valid interpretation for each character. Students are also encouraged to think about and select the most analysable quotation for each character to allow opportunities for thoughtful and perceptive comment. Finish by giving the students to A3 revision guide as a revision takeaway.

A grade 9 model answer focusing on the character of Juliet. The model answer starts with a thesis statement. It moves on to analyse the youthful, idealistic nature of Romeo’s feelings for Romeo early in the play. The second half of the essay moves on to explore the growing maturity of Juliet’s feelings later in the play. The word count for the response is 1014 words. Also includes revision cards for critical perspectives into Romeo’s character to really help push for that grade 9 in A03.

Romeo critical perspectives to help students show a more thoughtful and perceptive understanding of Romeo’s character in Romeo and Juliet.

A timeline revision activity for A Christmas Carol that asks students to offer 3 layers of analysis for 13 key Scrooge quotations to help track his transformation in the novel from a solitary miser to a redeemed philanthropist. A01: What is the meaning of the quotation? A02: What is the impact of words/methods? A03: What is Dickens’ message in this quotation? Comprehensive answer sheet is included. I give this out at the end of the lesson so students can compare their answers to it. Ideal revision activity in the run up to the May examinations. Also contains a similar timeline focused on the life lessons Scrooge learns across the novel to support the AQA May 2024 style question.

A lesson that encourages students to explore multiple interpretations of the thems and characters in Lord of the Flies to help reach bands 5 and 6 for A03. Students come up with their own 3 theories then compare them to mine before discussing which is the most valid perspective on the text.

A worksheet looking at the moral lessons/big ideas in Macbeth. Students complete the blank grid and then compare their ideas to the model answers.

For students looking to impress the examiner for A03, here is a summary of critical perspectives into Lady Macbeth’s character.