2019HSCExtended responseGreat Expectations — Charles Dickens

Q2 (b)

20 marks

Question

Charles Dickens, Great Expectations
Almost anybody can be reformed, but not everybody can be redeemed.
To what extent does this view align with your understanding of Great Expectations? In your response, make close reference to your prescribed text.

Try the question before revealing the answer.

Solution

Section II — Module B: Critical Study of Literature

Criteria	Marks
• Evaluates skilfully the extent to which the statement aligns with an understanding of the prescribed text<br>• Demonstrates a well-informed understanding of context, language, form and ideas using well-selected and detailed analysis of textual references<br>• Composes a thoughtful argument using language appropriate to audience, purpose and form	17–20
• Evaluates effectively the extent to which the statement aligns with an understanding of the prescribed text<br>• Demonstrates an informed understanding of context, language, form and ideas using well-selected analysis of textual references<br>• Composes an effective argument using language appropriate to audience, purpose and form	13–16
• Evaluates the extent to which the statement aligns with an understanding of the prescribed text<br>• Demonstrates an understanding of context, language, form and ideas using textual references<br>• Composes a sound argument using language appropriate to audience, purpose and form	9–12
• Describes some aspects of the prescribed text<br>• Demonstrates some understanding of context, language and form with limited textual references<br>• Composes a limited response to the question	5–8
• Attempts to describe aspects of the prescribed text<br>• Attempts to compose a response to the question	1–4

General NESA Feedback

In better responses, students were able to:

perceptively explore the ideas of reformation and redemption by considering Dickens’s purpose and context
critically evaluate Dickens’s commentary on his political and social concerns (justice, marginalisation, education)
provide a balanced treatment of ‘reformed’ and ‘redeemed’
provide a discerning selection of textual examples to support an integrated thesis.

Areas for students to improve include:

focusing on Dickens as a composer and his context
moving beyond a discussion of narrative and character
providing a detailed analysis of specific techniques
incorporating a strong personal voice.

Supplied marking guidance · human reviewed

Compare this with your working, not only your final sentence.

Syllabus alignment

Module B: Critical Study of Literature

Critical Study of LiteratureDevelop and support an informed personal interpretation through close analysis of a substantial literary text.

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