Study Tips/Inspirational: The Literature Examination

The Literature Examination

If you have properly prepared you need not fear the actual examintion. The evening before it is to take place read over all the notes you have made during the year, paying special atention to your summaries. You will find, because you have made these summaries, that you will be able to read through all your set books (in outline). Do not stay up too late, and get enough sleep.

On the day of the examination get to the examination room on time. Remember the following points.

Read through the paper carefully. Make sure you read every question. Mark those you think you can do.
Make sure you read the rubrics. In most literature papers there is a compulsory question. This is usually of the context type. It is wisest to do this first, for if you leave it until the end you might find you do not have the time to complete it.
You should plan your time carefully. Normally, the paper lasts for 2½ hours and you are to answer five questions. Do not take longer than 25 minutes over each question, and leave the last 25 minutes to read over your work.
After the context for compulsory question has been answered (if any), answer what you consider to be the easiest question. You should then proceed to the more difficult ones.
Write in clear, straightforward English. Do not use abbreviations except in actual words spoken, and avoid slang clichés and colloquial writing.
Make sure that you understand what the examiner wants before you answer. If you are not sure, try another question. One of the main causes of failure at examinations is irrelevancy - students do NOT answer the question set.
Quotations are essential in English Literature. However, they must be accurate and to the point. If your quotations do not illustrate the point you are trying to make, then they are useless. If you are given a poem to criticize and it is written out for you on the question paper, do not waste the examiner's time by quoting from it. A good idea is to number the lines if you want to refer to it. When personal reactions are called for, there is not need to quote.
There is not need to write at length. Two to two and a half sides are normally adequate for and essay-type questioin. When answering context questions keep your answers short and to the point. Re-read what has been said about these earlier in this book.
There is no need to write out the questions. However, make sure you number your answers correctly.
Write legibly and avoid crossing out. If you must cross out work because you feel that you can do better on another question, one straight line through the work you do not want marked us enough.
There is no need to write a lengthy introductory paragraph.
If a question is divided into two or more parts or sections, you should pay equal attention to each part. Often candidates write at length on one part or section and dismiss the other/s in a few lines.
Do not write descriptions unless requested. Do not recount the story unless asked. Some candidates give 'an account of', 'describe', or 'outline' when a critical approach is required.
The names of the main characters in your set books should be spelt correctly. Similarly, the names of the authors, titles of essays and poems, should be remembered if you are to use them in the examination. Words like 'playwright' and 'Shakespeare' are often misspelt.
If you have consulted any authorities on the set books and you want to refer to them, do not be afraid to do so. However, it is important to report what they have said accurately.
If you have your own ideas on the literature you are studying and these ideas are sensible and can be supported by quotation and reasoning, by all means express them. Remember that revolutionary ideas and strange interpretations may be frowned on.
Do not be too critical of the writer or dramatist for being 'out of date' or having misconceptions that you know to be wrong. Avoid making hasty twentieth century judgments on literature of other times.
If there are a number of views or interpretations on a particular scene or poem, you should be aware of these. However, you should not be afraid to give your own judgement, wherever possible giving reasons for your opinion.
Do not waste time or your examiner's by making pedestrian statements, e.g. "'Hamlet' was a great tragedy" or "Wordsworth is a famous poet". It should not be necessary to use the same material for more than one answer.
Remember what is required throughout the examination is to show :-
that you know the book,

that you understand the text,

that you can use the knowledge correctly and apply it in answering the questions set,

that you can select material wisely,

that you can keep to the point,

and that you can express you views on the book in question.