12.1.1

AOs

Test yourself on AOs

After reading these notes, test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

Assessment Objectives (AOs)

Assessment Objectives (AOs) are the same across all AS and A Level English Literature specifications.

AOs

AOs

  • Assessment Objectives (AOs) are the same across all AS and A Level English Literature specifications.
  • This means these AOs remain the same for Specification A and Specification B.
  • The exams will measure to what extent students have achieved the following AOs:
AO1 - 2

AO1 - 2

  • AO1: Articulate informed, personal and creative responses to literary texts, using associated concepts and terminology, and coherent, accurate written expression.
  • AO2: Analyse the ways in which meanings are shaped in literary texts.
AO3 - 5

AO3 - 5

  • AO3: Demonstrate understanding of the significance and influence of the contexts in which literary texts are written and received.
  • AO4: Explore connections across literary texts.
  • AO5: Explore literary texts informed by different interpretations.
AO5

AO5

  • In this list of AOs, it is perhaps AO5 that is the most important of these in your overall argument.
  • Be aware of this when you are constructing your responses.
Significance

Significance

  • A key term that comes up in many questions is ‘significance’ or ‘significant’.
  • When you are asked to write about this, you should try and explain what it is that makes the question focus particularly memorable or important, and what it ‘signifies’.
  • Always bear this in mind when you are developing your argument.

Structuring Your Answer

Introductions

Introductions

  • When it comes to your answers, always aim to not have lengthy and often meaningless introductions.
  • It is better to quickly focus upon the task.
Conclusions

Conclusions

  • Do not have lengthy conclusions either.
  • If you have a conclusion, then try to avoid repeating or reiterating what you have already said because you will gain no further marks for this.
  • It is better to either deconstruct the question or to suggest a further area of investigation which (if you had time and space) you would pursue.
Conclusions cont.

Conclusions cont.

  • In this way, the debate over significance and multiple meanings continues into the future, and it will be good to show the examiner that you are aware of this.
Jump to other topics
1

Context

1.1

Introduction

1.1.1Specifications
1.2

Background

1.2.1Shakespeare1.2.2Love1.2.3Tragedy1.2.4Historical Context
1.3

Othello

1.3.1Setting1.3.2Social Issues
2

Act One: Summaries & Themes

2.1

Act and Scene Summaries

2.1.1Structure2.1.2The Exam
2.2

Scene One

2.2.1Key Events2.2.2Key Themes2.2.3Key Ideas
2.3

Scene Two

2.3.1Key Events2.3.2Key Themes2.3.3Key Ideas
2.4

Scene Three

2.4.1Key Events2.4.2Key Events 22.4.3Key Themes2.4.4Key Ideas
3

Act Two: Summaries & Themes

3.1

Scene One & Two

3.1.1Scene One: Events3.1.2Key Events 23.1.3Key Ideas: Love & Tragedy3.1.4Scene Two: Events
3.2

Scene Three

3.2.1Key Events3.2.2Key Ideas
4

Act Three: Summaries & Themes

4.1

Key Events

4.1.1Scene One & Two4.1.2Scene Three4.1.3Scene Three: Key Ideas4.1.4Scene Four
5

Act Four

5.1

Scene One

5.1.1Key Events5.1.2Key Ideas
5.2

Scene Two

5.2.1Key Events5.2.2Key Ideas
5.3

Scene Three

5.3.1Key Events5.3.2Key Ideas
6

Act Five

6.1

Scene One

6.1.1Key Events6.1.2Key Ideas
6.2

Scene Two

6.2.1Key Events6.2.2Key Ideas
7

Character Profiles

7.1

Major Characters

7.1.1Othello7.1.2Iago7.1.3Desdemona7.1.4Emilia7.1.5Cassio
7.2

Minor Characters

7.2.1Roderigo & Brabantio7.2.2Other Characters
8

Key Themes

8.1

Love & Tragedy

8.1.1Love8.1.2Love 28.1.3Tragedy8.1.4Tragedy 2
8.2

Other Key Themes

8.2.1Public versus Private8.2.2Appearance & Reality
9

Writing Techniques

9.1

Writing Techniques

9.1.1Structure9.1.2Genre9.1.3Form & Language9.1.4Language & Imagery
10

Critical Debates

10.1

Criticism & Performance

10.1.1Shakespeare's Legacy10.1.2Traditional10.1.3Modern & Contemporary
10.2

Approaches

10.2.1Feminist Approach10.2.2Psychoanalytic Approach10.2.3Marxist Approach
11

Approaching AQA English Literature

11.1

Specification A

11.1.1Specification A11.1.2Love Through the Ages
11.2

Specification B

11.2.1Specification B11.2.2Aspects of Tragedy
12

Issues of Assessment

12.1

The Exams

12.1.1AOs12.1.2Mark Scheme

Practice questions on AOs

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Which assessment objective (AO) is arguably the most important in your overall answer?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    Which of these is a key term which comes up in many questions?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    Which assessment objectives are being described?Fill in the list
  4. 4
    What should you avoid doing in your conclusion?Multiple choice
Answer all questions on AOs

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium

Aspects of Tragedy

Mark Scheme