Death of a Salesman - Essay Questions

You have a choice of three questions in the exam and here are the pros and cons of each.

1. The extract question
Pros: You only really need to analyse that extract, you can look closer at language, you don’t have to find quotes because they are already there.
Cons: You can only focus on the extract, you may not know that bit well, you have to examine language and word choice more closely.

2. The character question.
Pros: You can use a lot of points for that character; you can link it to the play as a whole; you can go into detail on one character.
Cons: If you don’t know the character it’s difficult, limits you to one character focus.

3. In-role writing
Pros: Creative writing, it seems easier to do, don’t have to analyse language too in depth.
Cons: Have to know the plot REALLY well, have to write in character voice, incorporate quotations directly into your writing without copying the play.