EN-124 Introduction to English

Exam Advice

2010-11: Semester One

Structure

• The exam lasts for TWO hours. • The paper is divided into two parts: • Part 1 is Drama, • Part 2 is Poetry. • You must answer questions on both

parts. • You must use separate answer books for

each part. These will be provided to you in the exam.

Marks Available

• Poetry – 50% of the total – one hour MAX • Drama – 50% of the total – one hour MAX• Marks for each section are added together

and divided by two to give you your overall total.

• Hence – 60% in poetry and 10% in drama: 60+10 = 70. Divided by 2 = 35% overall

• BUT – 40% in poetry and 50% in drama = 90. Divided by 2 = 45% overall.

Managing your Time

• Drama: 1 hour total = 30 minutes per section.

• Classical Drama: Use 5 minutes to choose question and 25 minutes to write it.

• Irish Drama: Use 5 minutes to choose question and 25 minutes to write it.

• STOP after 25 minutes, even if you have more to say.

Drama • Two sub-sections.

• Part 1: Classical Drama (Oedipus; Everyman; Malfi; Faustus.

• Part 2: Irish Drama (Riders to the Sea; Juno & Paycock; Weir; By the Bog of Cats )

• In each sub-section, there will be a short excerpt from all of the plays on the course.

• You pick ONE excerpt and write about it.

• YOU MUST NOT ANSWER on any play on which you have already written an Essay.

Poetry Examination

• There are two sections on poetry.

• Answer ALL of section A, and ONE question from Section B.

• Section A presents you with a number of short quotations from poems on the course. Use these quotations to find ONE example of EACH of the poetic features listed.

• Spend no more than 15 minutes on this section. This section is worth 20 marks.

Poetry Examination …cont…

• Section 2: write an essay responding to ONE of three questions.

• Answer in reference to AT LEAST THREE poems on the course. Each poem must be by a different poet.

• Spend no more than 40 minutes on this section.

• YOU CHOOSE THE POEMS but do not answer on poems on which you have already written an essay.

Examples…

• Student has already written about Doctor Faustus and The Weir.

• Part A – chooses to write on Oedipus.

• Part B – chooses to write on Juno and the Paycock.

Sample Question.

Choose one of the passages below. Explain in some detail how the passage would affect the audience’s understanding of the play in its entirety.

Sample Question (cont.)

By the Bog of Cats

Mrs Kilbride: If Carthage will be as good a son to Caroline as he’s been a husband to me, she’ll have no complaints.

Possible answers

1. What is happening in this part of the play?

2. To whom is Mrs Kilbride speaking?

3. What is the significance of her statement for our understanding of the character herself?

4. What is the significance of her statement for our understanding of the play in its entirety?

Tips and Instructions: DRAMA

• Do not write introductions and conclusions: just get straight to the point.

• STOP writing after 25 minutes, EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT FINISHED.

• Avoid irrelevant information (biographical data, background of the author, etc).

• Grammar, punctuation and spelling must be correct.

Preparation for the exam

• Read back over lecture notes.

• Make sure that you know (at least) one classical and (at least) one Irish play VERY well.

• Do not share your ideas, or essays, or notes with your friends, or study together.

• Do not use notes from websites, as they are often wrong.