AMDG R. O'Donohoe Belvedere College SJ Leaving Certificate English A TWO year course

AMDG R. O'Donohoe Belvedere College SJAMDG R. O'Donohoe Belvedere College SJ

Leaving CertificateLeaving CertificateEnglishEnglish

A A TWOTWO year course year course


The ExamThe Exam

The Leaving Certificate H.L. English The Leaving Certificate H.L. English exam consists of two papers – both exam consists of two papers – both worth equal marks (200 each).worth equal marks (200 each).

Paper 1 is primarily concerned with Paper 1 is primarily concerned with the study of the study of Language.Language.

Paper 2 is primarily concerned with Paper 2 is primarily concerned with the study of the study of Literature.Literature.


Paper 1 – 200 marksPaper 1 – 200 marks

For Paper 1, you will have to For Paper 1, you will have to answer 2 questions.answer 2 questions.

Comprehension Comprehension ((Part A & Part B Part A & Part B ) )

100 marks (50 marks each)100 marks (50 marks each)

Composition Composition (essay)(essay) 100 marks100 marks


Paper 1 skillsPaper 1 skills Language is integral to our everyday lives. We use Language is integral to our everyday lives. We use

it to express ourselves – our feelings, thoughts, it to express ourselves – our feelings, thoughts, beliefs. It is a hugely important form of beliefs. It is a hugely important form of communication with others. communication with others.

To do well in Paper 1, you will need to become To do well in Paper 1, you will need to become familiar with various types of language. You must familiar with various types of language. You must be able to identify features of different types of be able to identify features of different types of language when reading a text. You must also be language when reading a text. You must also be able to write in different types of language and able to write in different types of language and understand the effect it has on your audience. understand the effect it has on your audience.


What are the types of language What are the types of language you will need to know?you will need to know?

The language of The language of NarrationNarration – – Fiction & Non-FictionFiction & Non-Fiction

The language of The language of AestheticsAesthetics The language of The language of Argument Argument The language of The language of PersuasionPersuasion The language of The language of InformationInformation


Paper 1 – A sample planPaper 1 – A sample plan

Year 1 Year 1 Sept – Mid-termSept – Mid-term Language of NarrationLanguage of NarrationOct – ChristmasOct – Christmas Language of AestheticsLanguage of AestheticsJan – Mid-termJan – Mid-term Language of InformationLanguage of InformationFeb – EasterFeb – Easter Language of Argument/ Language of Argument/

PersuasionPersuasionEaster – ExamsEaster – Exams RevisionRevision

Year Year 22 Revision, practice Revision, practice to to master skills and master skills and

timing.timing.


Paper 2 skillsPaper 2 skills

English Paper 2 asks students to English Paper 2 asks students to undertake meaningful study of undertake meaningful study of literature and poetry.literature and poetry.

There are There are 3 questions3 questions on paper 2. on paper 2.1.1. The Single Text The Single Text (60 marks)(60 marks)

2.2. Comparative study Comparative study (70 marks)(70 marks)

3.3. Poetry - Studied Poetry - Studied (50 marks)(50 marks)

- Unseen - Unseen (20 marks)(20 marks)


Single TextSingle Text

Hamlet (2011 & 2012)Hamlet (2011 & 2012)You will be expected to answer an essay You will be expected to answer an essay on Hamlet. Your essay must consist of a on Hamlet. Your essay must consist of a well formed argument, each point fully well formed argument, each point fully supported with supported with appropriate quotesappropriate quotes as as evidence. Evidence of extra reading is evidence. Evidence of extra reading is rewarded. rewarded.

Topics to be studied includeTopics to be studied include : :Character, themes, imagery, atmosphere, keyCharacter, themes, imagery, atmosphere, keyscenes etc.scenes etc.


Comparative studyComparative study

For this question, you must compare and For this question, you must compare and contrast contrast threethree texts. (One of which can texts. (One of which can be a film) Different texts are prescribed be a film) Different texts are prescribed each year.each year.

Texts are compared under Texts are compared under 3 3 out of 4 out of 4 headings. headings.

1.1. Theme or issueTheme or issue2.2. Cultural contextCultural context3.3. General vision and ViewpointGeneral vision and Viewpoint4.4. Literary genreLiterary genre


PoetryPoetry

You are required to study the work of at You are required to study the work of at least six prescribed poets. (Usually 6 least six prescribed poets. (Usually 6 poems by each poet) Again, your analysis poems by each poet) Again, your analysis of each poet’s work must be well structured of each poet’s work must be well structured and include relevant quotes to support and include relevant quotes to support points. Evidence of extra reading is points. Evidence of extra reading is rewarded. rewarded.

You are also expected to write an analysis You are also expected to write an analysis of an unseen poem, based on the skills you of an unseen poem, based on the skills you have learned through your study of have learned through your study of prescribed poets.prescribed poets.


Sample study plan Sample study plan September – October (mid-term)September – October (mid-term)

Language of NarrationLanguage of Narration(Fiction and Non-fiction)(Fiction and Non-fiction)

Hamlet – Up to end of Act 2Hamlet – Up to end of Act 2(Character of Hamlet, emerging themes)(Character of Hamlet, emerging themes)

Patrick KavanaghPatrick Kavanagh(Complete study of six poems)(Complete study of six poems)

The Unseen poemThe Unseen poem(Development of analysis skills)(Development of analysis skills)


Best foot forward …Best foot forward …

It is impossible to emphasise enough It is impossible to emphasise enough how important it is to start 5how important it is to start 5 thth year year with the right attitude. with the right attitude.

Do the work … put in the effort from Do the work … put in the effort from the start …ask for help if you feel the start …ask for help if you feel you are falling behind! This will help you are falling behind! This will help avoid any stressful melt-downs in 6avoid any stressful melt-downs in 6 thth year.year.

Best of luck on your commencement Best of luck on your commencement of the LEAVING CERTIFICATE 2012 of the LEAVING CERTIFICATE 2012 course!course!

Documents

AMDG R. O'Donohoe Belvedere College SJ Leaving Certificate English A TWO year course