Answering Short Stories Question

Opening Worlds
Answering the question

Planning and preparation
 Make sure that you have ACTUALLY RE-READ the short stories
 Know your stuff:
 Plot
 Characters
 Themes
 Cultures
 Links

Read the question
 Read the questions carefully
 Choose the question you can answer best
 Now underline or highlight key words in the question
 You must refer to all the stories mentioned in the question or if given choice refer to the number of stories mentioned


Make a Plan: Think about these questions
 How many points must I make?
 What stories should I refer to?
 If I refer to other stories not named will I get any marks?
 How much time should I spend planning?

Introduction: Hints & tips
 What is your answer – state it clearly
 Refer to the stories telling the examiner exactly how the stories show the theme.

Development & Building Argument
 Follow your plan
 Start each paragraph with a point that refers clearly to the question
 You must compare and contrast stories
 Do not re-tell the stories – keep the question in mind always

 Three-part argument
 Point
 Quote
 Comment

There are three parts to building an argument:
 Make your point clearly using Standard English
 Refer clearly to the play using quotation
 Explain your quotation linking it directly to the point that you have made

Aims
 Write clearly
 State your views
 Don’t waffle – answer the question


What they mark for

Positives

 Answer clearly the question covering all the points
 Shows a clear understanding of the stories
 Focus on other people’s views
 5 or 6 well developed ideas
 Quotation used – it was used most effectively when it supports ideas. The best answers probably use no more than 5 or 6 quotations
 Clear introduction focused on people’s views with well argued points and a brief, but strong conclusion

Negatives
 Describes the stories
 Not focused on the question
 Irrelevant information
 Only refer to one of the stories
 Answers too brief – less than 350 words
 No reference or quotation
 Write down lots of quotations with no comments

Conclusion
 Sum up your answer quickly and strongly
 And now check your work for any errors