Component 1 — Shakespeare and Poetry

Overview

Component 1 is a 2-hour written examination worth 40% of the total GCSE mark. It is divided into two sections.

Total: 80 marks. No access to texts — you must know key quotations by heart.

Section A — Shakespeare (40 marks)

Structure

You answer ONE question on ONE Shakespeare play. The question is always in two parts:

Part (i) — Extract question (typically 20 marks):

• You are given a short printed extract from the play
• You must analyse how Shakespeare creates specific effects in the extract
• Focus: AO1 (understanding), AO2 (language analysis), AO3 (theatrical and historical context)
• You may be asked about: how a character is presented, how a theme is explored, how tension or drama is created
• Do not write about the whole play in Part (i) — focus on the extract

Part (ii) — Whole-play essay (typically 20 marks):

• A thematic or character question about the whole play
• Requires AO1, AO2, AO3 and AO4 (SPaG — up to 4 marks)
• Draw on multiple moments/scenes from the play
• Must show range: opening, middle, and end of the play

Time management for Section A

• Allow 5 minutes to read the extract carefully (Part i)
• 20–25 minutes writing Part (i)
• 30 minutes writing Part (ii) including planning
• Keep AO4 in mind throughout Part (ii) — vary vocabulary and sentence structure

What examiners want in Section A

High-band responses:

• In Part (i): close language analysis of the extract with theatrical awareness (how would this be staged? what is the effect on an audience?)
• In Part (ii): a sustained argument using evidence from across the play; integrated AO3 — not "the Jacobean context was..." but linking context to specific choices
• In both parts: AO2 analysis that goes beyond naming techniques to explaining effects

Common mistakes:

• Part (i): writing about the whole play instead of the extract
• Part (ii): writing only about the beginning of the play (running out of time or ideas)
• Both parts: retelling the plot instead of analysing language
• Forgetting AO4 in Part (ii)

Section B — Poetry (40 marks)

Structure

Section B has two poetry questions:

Question 1 — Named poet (typically 20 marks):

• A question about poems by a specific named poet from the Eduqas anthology
• You choose poems to write about (usually asked to write about two or more)
• Focus: AO1, AO2, AO3 — all equally weighted
• Compare the poems within the poet's work

Question 2 — Unseen comparison (typically 20 marks):

• A previously unstudied poem is provided, plus you choose an appropriate anthology poem
• Or: two unseen poems to compare
• Requires integrated comparison — both poems in every paragraph
• Focus: AO1, AO2, AO3

Time management for Section B

• 5 minutes to read the unseen poem (twice)
• 25 minutes on Question 1 (named poet)
• 30 minutes on Question 2 (unseen comparison), including planning

Key strategies for Section B

Named poet question:

• Have at least THREE poems ready for any named poet
• Know: what each poem is about (AO1), key language and structural features (AO2), context of the poem and poet (AO3)
• Compare within the poet's work — show range across their poetry

Unseen comparison:

• Read the unseen poem TWICE before planning
• Identify theme, tone, form/structure, and key language choices
• Choose the anthology poem strategically — find a poem that has clear similarities AND differences
• Write an integrated comparison — not "Poem A says... / Poem B says..."

Revision Strategy for Component 1

Shakespeare (Section A)

1. Know your play: five or six key quotations for each major theme and character
2. Know theatrical techniques: soliloquy, dramatic irony, aside, stagecraft
3. Know AO3 context: historical, social, theatrical context of the play
4. Practice: write two timed essays per week under exam conditions

Poetry (Section B)

1. For each named poet in the anthology: at least three poems with close annotations
2. For unseen poetry: practice SMILE on unseen poems weekly
3. Practice integrated comparisons: write one comparison per week
4. Build vocabulary for AO2: a list of precise analytical verbs and terminology

What to bring into the exam room

• Confident knowledge of key quotations (you cannot take the text in)
• A plan for each possible question type
• Knowledge of AO weighting — don't write three AO1 paragraphs; balance all three AOs