Literature Syllabus

OUTLINE OF ASSESSMENT: ENGLISH B

English B is assessed under three profile dimensions: Drama, Poetry and Prose Fiction. 

1. Profile Dimension 1 – Drama 

This profile dimension will emphasise the study, teaching, and understanding of drama as a discrete literary genre.  Although, it shares literary elements with the other literary genres, it possesses elements that are unique to drama, for example: 

(a) performance as its main vehicle; 

(b) stage directions; 

(c) character; 

(d) spectacle; 

(e) the development of character, theme, and atmosphere through elements such as lighting costuming, stage prop.  

Such dramatic elements ought to be the primary focus of teaching and study. 

2. Profile Dimension 2 – Poetry 

This profile dimension will emphasise the study, teaching, and understanding of poetry as a discrete literary genre.  Although, it shares literary elements with the two other literary genres, there are elements specific to poetry, such as: 

(a) fixed forms, metre, rhythm and rhyme; 

(b) the economy of language; 

(c) the organic relationship between sound and sense; 

(d) the figurative language employed to give the poem levels of meaning.  

Such elements ought to be the primary focus of the teaching and study of poetry. 

3. Profile Dimension 3 – Prose Fiction 

Prose Fiction is more often than not the most expansive and experimental of the literary genres and it is for many the most accessible.  Following are some of the elements of prose fiction that must be studied, taught, and understood:  

(a) narrative technique and the use of first-person and third-person narrators; 

(b) structure, that is, the way in which a work of prose fiction is put together, for example, whether it is an unbroken narrative, or a narrative divided into chapters, or into larger sections or more than one narrative put together to form a longer narrative; 

(c) the difference between narration and description; 

(d) the presentation of humankind in a social setting; 

(e) characterisation; 

(f) themes.   

Such elements ought to be the primary focus of the teaching and study of the novel and the short story.

In each of the three literary genres the following skills will be tested:

1. Understanding

Knowledge of Text and Insight

 

(a) Relevance and adequacy of content 

(b) Relevance and accuracy of examples 

2. Expression

(a) Organisation of Response 

(i) Structure and development of responses

(ii) Clear and logical argument 

(b) Quality of Language 

(i) Clarity and appropriateness of expression used 

(ii) Mechanics of writing (sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, and spelling)  

ASSESSMENT DETAILS  

Paper 01 (1 hour 30 minutes -  36 % of Total Assessment) 

1. Composition of Paper  

  All questions are compulsory. This paper will consist of three questions, one question from each genre – drama, poetry and prose fiction. In each question candidates will be required to give approximately 5-7 short answers.     

2. Mark Allocation 

(a) Twenty marks will be allocated for each question in this paper. 

(b) The total number of marks available for this paper is 60. 

(c) This paper contributes 36% to the whole examination. 

3. Award of Marks 

Marks will be awarded in each profile dimension for relevance and accuracy of content, relevance and accuracy of illustration, and quality and clarity of argument.  

Paper 02 (2 hours – 64% of Total Assessment) – ( r e a d i n g t i m e – 1 0 m i n u t e s ) 

1. Composition of Paper  

This paper is divided into the three sections:

(a) Section ONE – Drama (Shakespeare and Modern Drama).  This section consists of four Type A questions, two from each text.  Thirty five marks are allocated for each question.  Candidates must answer one question from this section. 

(b) Section TWO – Poetry (a selection of poems – two questions).  This section consists of two Type B questions, one generic question allowing candidates to use two appropriate choices from the prescribed poems and one question based on two named poems from the prescribed list.  Thirty-five marks are allocated for each question.  Candidates must answer one question from this section. 

(c) Section THREE – Prose Fiction (EITHER West Indian novel OR other novels in English OR West Indian short story and other short stories in English).  This section consists of six questions:  four Type A questions, two on each prescribed novel and two Type B questions, one generic question allowing candidates to use two appropriate choices from the prescribed short stories and one question based on two named short stories from the prescribed list.  Thirty five marks are allocated for each question.  Candidates must answer one question from this section. 

2. Number of Questions 

This paper consists of 12 optional extended-essay questions arranged under the three sections outlined above. There are two types of questions in this paper: 

Type A - Questions that require knowledge and study of one text; Type B – Questions of comparison that require knowledge and study of two poems or short stories. 

Candidates will be required to answer a total of THREE questions, one from EACH section.   

3. Mark Allocation 

Each question will be worth 35 marks.  This paper is worth 105 marks. 

4. Award of Marks 

Candidates are expected to show knowledge, insight, quality of argument, and organisation of response.  

Marks will be awarded for relevance and accuracy of content, relevance and accuracy of illustration and quality and clarity of argument. Marks will also be awarded for the structure and development of relevant ideas or points into coherent paragraphs, and for competence in the mechanics of writing.