Qualification and assessment structure common mistakes

Common mistakes

• Over-reliance on plot summary

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

  Fix itFocus on analyzing specific passages and how they contribute to the overall meaning of the text.

• Misunderstanding the exam format

  Students often confuse Paper 2 as a closed-book exam.

  Fix itRemember that Paper 2 is an open-book exam, allowing you to use your texts.

• Overgeneralizing Themes

  Students often state broad themes without connecting them to specific texts or evidence.

  Fix itAlways support thematic statements with direct references to the text and specific examples.

• Over-reliance on plot summary

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

  Fix itFocus on how the author uses literary devices to convey meaning rather than just recounting events.

• Over-reliance on plot summary

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

  Fix itFocus on analyzing how the plot elements contribute to the overall themes and character development.

• Neglecting textual evidence

  Failing to support claims with direct quotes or examples from the texts.

  Fix itAlways include specific textual evidence to substantiate your analysis and comparisons.

• Confusing authorial intent with character perspective

  Students often attribute the views of a character to the author, leading to misinterpretations.

  Fix itFocus on distinguishing between the character's voice and the author's perspective to avoid conflating the two.

• Over-reliance on plot summary

  Students often summarize the plot instead of analyzing the text.

  Fix itFocus on analyzing themes, characters, and literary techniques rather than just recounting events.

• Over-reliance on plot summary

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

  Fix itFocus on interpreting the text and discussing how literary techniques convey deeper meanings.