WSSCE LITERATURE-IN-ENGLISH QUESTIONS.pptx

Structure of Literature-in-English Questions
Types of Questions Asked
How to Choose the Best Question

1. PREPARING FOR WASSCE LITERATURE-IN-ENGLISH: UNDERSTANDING THE QUESTIONS Richmond K. Atiasah 1

2. Outline Structure of Questions Classification of Questions What to Avoid Before Choosing a Question 2

3. STRUCTURE OF QUESTIONS Every question is structurally divided into three components: The Instruction word The Topic or Subject, and 3. The Limitation or Focus The Instruction Word These words instruct the candidate as to exactly what to do. They include: examine; discuss; assess; comment etc. 3

4. STRUCTURE OF QUESTIONS Every question is structurally divided into three components: The Instruction word The Topic or Subject, and 3. The Limitation or Focus 2. The Topic or Subject This has to do with what the instruction is about. Thus, what is to be examined discussed or assessed. That may include themes, literary devices or episodes etc. 4

5. STRUCTURE OF QUESTIONS Every question is structurally divided into three components: The Instruction word The Topic or Subject, and 3. The Limitation or Focus 3. The Limitation or Focus Since no one essay can say all there is to say about any given topic, there should always be a limitation. A question may be limited to a specific text (novel, play or poem; character; or an episode). # knowing this will help the candidate to choose the appropriate words in designing the thesis statement. 5

6. CLASSIFICATION OF LITERATURE-IN-ENGLISH QUESTIONS 6

7. 1. General (Thematic) Questions These questions ask for the candidate’s general understanding of the text. They may include questions on themes. Examples: 1. Comment on Joseph’s attitude to religion in Wuthering Heights 2 Assess the significance of the marriage of Cathy to Linton Heathcliff in the novel. 3 Discuss the role of Adah as a second class citizen. 4. Examine the appropriateness of the title: Second-Class Citizen 7

8. 2. Episodic Questions These questions center on specific episodes, sub-plots or specific events in the text. Examples: 5 comment on the significance of Lockwood’s dreams. 6 Discuss the significance of Cathy’s first visit to Wuthering Heights 7. Examine the significance of Ma ’s encounter with the police at the beginning of the novel. 8. How is religious hypocrisy presented in Mr. Lockwood’s second dream? 8

9. 3.Questions on Style These questions test the candidate’s understanding of the use of literary techniques in the text. Examples: 9. Comment on some Gothic elements in Wuthering Heights 10. Comment on the effective use of dramatic irony in The Lion and The Jewel 11. Examine the use of the dramatic unities in The Lion and The Jewel “Raider of the Treasure Trove” by Lade Wosornu 12. Comment on the poet’s view of rage in the poem. 13.Examine the use of rhetorical questions in the poem. 9

10. 3.Questions on Style 2 These questions test the candidate’s understanding of the use of literary techniques in the text. “The Black Woman” by Leopold Senghor 14. “Black Woman” is a descriptive poem. Discuss. 15. Examine the poet’s effective use of metaphors 16. Comment on the use of play-within-play in The Lion and the Jewel 10

11. 4. Characterization Questions Candidates are to assess the physical and personality traits of the characters Characters are revealed through: a. What the character says and does. b. What other characters say about that character c. What the writer says about the character. Example: 17. Examine the Character of Francis in Second Class Citizen. 18. What IMPRESSIONS do you form about……? 19. Cory is a round character. Discuss. 11

12. 5. The Role of Characters Writers have reasons for creating peculiar characters and assigning specific roles to them. Candidates are to comment on the reasons why the writer created given characters. In other words, what does the writer want the reader to learn from the actions of a particular character? Examples: 20. Assess the role of Cory in the play. 2 1. Assess the role of Mr. and Mrs. Noble in Second-Class Citizen 2 2. Assess the role of Alberta in Fences 12

13. 6. Character and Role The response to this question is a combination of points #4 and #5 Examples: 23. Examine the character and role of Adah 13

14. 7 . The Contributions of a Character to the Development of the Plot Candidates are to identify how the character contributes to development of the plot. How does the character influence the pattern of the story’s plot- conflict, suspense, climax etc ? Examples: 25. Assess the contributions of Sadiku (or Mr. Earnshaw) to the development of the plot. 14

15. Compare and Contrast Questions Candidates are to identify similarities or differences between characters. These questions begin with a concession of some sort. E.g.: even though they are similar in this way, they differ in that way 26. Comment on Jim Bono as a foil to Troy Maxine 27. Compare the characters of Catherine and Young Cathy. 15

16. Relationship Questions They require the candidate to examine how selected characters relate to each other. The relationship can be familial, friendly, intimate, professional and so on. What to do: (a) Give a background to the characters involved (b) Identify the kind of relationship (familial etc ) (C) Trace the origin of the relationship (d) Evaluate the relationship (i.e. how the members of the relationship are influenced or affected by the relationship) 16

17. Relationship Questions 2 Examples: 29-34. Assess the relationship between: Cathy Linton and Hareton Lockwood and Heathcliff Troy and Bono Troy and Cory Adah and Francis 17

18. WHAT TO AVOID In your essays 18

19. What to Avoid Informality Reckless Regurgitation of notes Meer Narration Speculation Arguing without Textual Evidence Unnecessary Repetition (Padding) Mix Tenses 19

20. What to Avoid: Speculation 2 The candidate who does not know the set text may be tempted to use his imagination to guess what the question might possibly be about. In answering a question on ghosts as symbols in Wuthering Heights , (ghosts, weather-winds, dogs, the moors, TC Grange, W Heights) a candidate may speculate about ghosts in general without specific reference to specific ghosts in the novel. 20

21. What to Avoid: Repetition Example: The Lion and the Jewel is a popular play written by the prolific dramatist who goes by the name of Wole Soyinka. Wole Soyinka’s The Lion and the Jewel, which an example of African drama…… 21

22. What to Avoid: Speculation 22

23. Choosing The Question To Answer 23

24. Before Choosing the Question Read all the questions to ascertain the one you can comfortably answer. Prepare an outline. If you are able to outline four or five points for a particular question, then you are ready to answer that question. Example: Discuss the use of symbolism in the novel; Wuthering Heights The two houses Ghosts Dogs Hair (blond= The Lintons black=The Earnshaws ) The Moor 24

25. ABOVE ALL, HAVE COFIDENCE IN YOURSELF THAT WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THE QUESTION IS RIGHT. 25

26. End of presentation 26