Guide to Leaving Cert English 2023 Exam: Skills, Genres, and Reading Comprehension
In preparation for the Leaving Cert English 2023 Exam, emphasis is placed on the skills of writing, including purpose, coherence of delivery, and language mechanics. The exam comprises sections on Language Genres, Reading Comprehension, and Creative Writing. Candidates must familiarize themselves with different writing styles such as Argument, Narration, Persuasion, Information, and Aesthetic Use of Language. Expect challenging questions that test analytical and creative writing abilities, exploring various literary works and themes. This guide provides insights into the exam format, time management, and essential strategies for success.
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Leaving Cert English 2023 Exam
If you want to be a good writer, you need to concentrate not just on What you say This is a SKILLS exam But also on How you say what you say
PURPOSE (30%) COHERENCE OF DELIVERY (30%) Marking Marking PCLM Scheme Scheme - - PCLM LANGUAGE (30%) MECHANICS (10%)
10 minutes wriggle- room Timing 2hrs 50mins = 170 mins Paper 1 Paper 1 Language Language - -200 marks marks 200 Composition 70 minutes QA 60 minutes QB 30minutes
The curriculum states that you should be familiar with 5 Language Genres (types of writing). These are: Language of Argument Language of Narration Language of Persuasion Language of Information The Aesthetic Use of Language
Reading Comprehension Questions (100m) The exam contains 3 reading comprehension passages. Each text is accompanied by A QA task which tests your analytical skills (50 m) A QB task which tests your creative writing skills (50 m) You will have to select and answer 1 QA and 1 QB
Expect Q(iii) to be a style question vital to prepare and be able to identify the key qualities of different styles of writing: Argument Discursive Reading Reading Persuasion Speech / talk Comprehension Comprehension Questions Questions Story / narrative Description / Aesthetic Personal writing
Reading Comprehension Reading Comprehension Questions Questions Expect Q(ii) to be the most challenging. In recent years, these questions have expected candidates to be imaginative. These questions often do not require direct reference to the attached Reading Comprehension passage. Example: With reference to a Shakespearean play you have studied for your 2019 Leaving Certificate course, identify an image, moment or episode that revealed something to you about ourselves now . Explain the insight(s) you gained about ourselves now from engaging with this image, moment or episode.
3 tasks Answer on 1 Comprehension Comprehension QB QB - 50m = 12.5% Pick QB first Imaginative tasks often requires candidate to adopt a persona Task usually involves a framework instruction, i.e. A speech; A talk; An introduction to a collection of essays; A magazine article / A blog post /An article for school website; A formal letter; A Diary entry
The key here is to be Questions will also usually contain a list of tasks tasks that must be addressed across the response. Accurate Consistent Imaginative a list of Concise Example: In TEXT 1, Jeanette Winterson extols the virtues of the arts, arguing that artistic activities are beneficial both for individuals and for society in general. She also gives her views on the relationship between art and money. Write an opinion piece, suitable for publication in a broadsheet newspaper, in which you extol the varied virtues of sport, put forward a reasoned argument to persuade readers that sport benefits both individuals and society, and give your views on the appropriate relationship between sport and money
The most important section of the exam 7 choices select one Composition Composition 100m = 25% Questions always genre-specific Expect: A speech A personal essay A short story A discursive essay There will also likely be an option to write: A descriptive essay A persuasive essay A magazine / newspaper article
Tasks are genre- specific, so: The The style of style of writing writing is the most most important important criteria for criteria for assessment assessment. is the A speech should display an understanding of persuasive and argumentative techniques A short story should contain obvious elements of narrative / aesthetic language A discursive essay should display a balanced, informed, considered approach A personal essay should be reflective and contain individual observation
Assessment of the Composition The marking schemes very clearly lay out the expectations related to each style of essay and should be studied closely. The quality of language and expression will be closely examined in this task above all others. The expectation is that the candidate will display a strong understanding of the particulars of the selected genre and will write in an articulate and clear style. Imagination and Originality are key factors in a successful composition.
Paper 2 Paper 2 - - Literature Literature 200marks 200 minutes Time management: One hour per essay and 20 minutes on Unseen Poetry Answer tasks in any order...
The Single Text Five Texts are prescribed for study: All the Light We Cannot See Macbeth A Doll s House There will be 2 questions on each text and candidates must answer one question. The question will contain multiple elements The Picture of Dorian Gray Frankenstein
Answers will not narrate the studied text. Answers will be question-facing. Expectations Expectations Answers will be thoughtful, and points and evidence will be contextualised in the light of the question. Between 4-6 relevant points will be presented in a logical and structured essay.
Three modes are prescribed for study: General Vision and Viewpoint The Comparative Comparative Theme and Issue Literary Genre CANDIDATES MUST ANSWER ON ONE MODE.
37 Texts are prescribed for study The texts include novels, memoirs, plays and films General Overview You may only study one film, but there is no compulsion to study film You are expected to study three texts One of the three texts must be by Shakespeare IF not studying Shakespeare for Single Text.
Expectations Expectations Answers will 1. Be written in the comparative spirit 2. Display a detailed knowledge of the selected texts 3. Avoid paraphrasing / narrating the selected texts. When writing a Comparative answer, ensure you clearly identify your selected texts before you begin to write. The list technique is a very effective way to do this. Try to develop 3-4 points in a thoughtful and analytical style.
Irish Women Dead Old Greats Studied Studied Poetry: Poetry: Poets Poets Prescribed Prescribed for Higher for Higher Level 2023 Level 2023 Patrick Kavanagh Derek Mahon Paula Meehan W.B. Yeats Elizabeth Bishop Adrienne Rich Emily Dickinson John Donne
Candidates should refer to between 4-6 poems in an answer. Candidates will focus in on 3-4 core poems and then refer to another 1-2 other poems in context. Candidates will not summarise the poems. Expectations Expectations Candidates will be selective in choice of evidence. You do not have to tell the examiner the story of the poem. The questions will vary in difficulty. Decision-making is a key skill here.
A good example if this comes from the 2020 Paper 2 Emily Dickinson Discuss how Dickinson s unique approach to language, and the balance between beauty and horror in her imagery, help to relieve some of the darker aspects of her poetry. Develop your response with reference to the poems by Emily Dickinson on your course. Adrienne Rich Discuss how Rich makes effective use of a variety of characters, often in dramatic settings, to probe both personal issues and wider social concerns in her poems. Develop your response with reference to the poetry by Adrienne Rich on your course.
Aims for 5thYear Establish a strong understanding of 1) Essay-writing skills 2) The characteristics of narrative, persuasive, argumentative and personal writing 3) The ingredients of an effective personal essay, speech and discursive essay 4) Macbeth s plot, characters and key quotes 5) The three comparative modes 6) 4 poems by each of Patrick Kavanagh, Derek Mahon and John Donne
