Back to English LiteraturePractice this
Paper 1
Shakespeare Set Text
Both
Use the extract as the start of a whole-play argument.
Key Facts
- Paper 1 includes an extract plus the whole play.
- AO1, AO2, and AO3 are assessed, plus SPaG.
- Use context where it illuminates meaning.
- Write a clear argument in every paragraph.
- Reference key moments beyond the extract.
Topics Covered
Characters and Relationships
What you need to know
- •Track character motivations and conflicts.
- •Use key quotations across the play.
Exam Tips
- Use the extract to springboard to the rest of the play.
Themes
What you need to know
- •Identify core themes and how they develop across acts.
- •Link themes to character decisions and outcomes.
Exam Tips
- Use a theme as the thread of each paragraph.
Language and Structure
What you need to know
- •Analyse dramatic devices like soliloquy and aside.
- •Comment on stage directions and dramatic irony.
Exam Tips
- Link methods to audience reaction.
Context
What you need to know
- •Use historical context to deepen meaning.
- •Avoid bolting on context without analysis.
Exam Tips
- Integrate context into your explanation of quotes.
Key Terms
soliloquy
A speech where a character reveals inner thoughts.
dramatic irony
The audience knows something a character does not.
aside
A short comment to the audience or self.
stage directions
Instructions that shape how the scene is performed.
Loading practice drills...
Common Exam Questions
Starting with this extract, explore how Shakespeare presents ambition.
34 markshardPaper 1
Model Answer
Analyse the extract, then connect to key moments elsewhere.
What examiners want to see
- ✓Extract analysis
- ✓Whole-text references
- ✓Context
Related Topics
Other topics you might find useful