Assessment objectives common mistakes

Common mistakes

• Plot Summary

  Students often summarize the plot instead of analyzing themes or characters.

  Fix itFocus on analysis by discussing how specific events contribute to the overall meaning of the text.

• Over-reliance on plot summary

  Students often summarize the plot instead of analyzing themes and literary techniques.

  Fix itFocus on analyzing how specific literary devices contribute to the overall meaning of the text.

• Plot Summary Over Analysis

  Students often summarize the plot instead of analyzing themes and literary techniques.

  Fix itFocus on interpreting the text through analysis of language, structure, and context rather than retelling the story.

• Confusing theme with subject

  Students often identify the subject of a text (e.g., love, war) as its theme.

  Fix itRemember that a theme is a deeper insight or message about the subject, such as the complexities of love or the futility of war.

• Confusing authorial intent with character perspective

  Students often attribute the author's views to the characters without distinguishing their perspectives.

  Fix itAlways analyze the narrative voice and context to differentiate between the author's intent and the character's viewpoint.

• Ignoring Contextual Influences

  Failing to consider how historical and cultural contexts shape the text.

  Fix itAlways connect textual analysis to relevant contexts to enrich your interpretation.

• Ignoring Context

  Failing to consider how the author's background influences the text.

  Fix itAlways connect the author's life experiences and historical context to their writing.

• Over-reliance on plot summary

  Students often summarize the plot instead of analyzing themes or character development.

  Fix itFocus on how the plot serves to develop themes or character arcs rather than recounting events.

• Plot Summary

  Students often summarize the plot instead of analyzing themes.

  Fix itFocus on thematic analysis and character motivations rather than retelling the story.

• Over-reliance on plot summary

  Students often summarize the plot instead of analyzing themes and characters.

  Fix itFocus on exploring the significance of events and how they contribute to the overall meaning of the text.