The document provides guidance on answering passage-based and whole-text questions for the English Literature Heritage Prose exam. It outlines a 6-step process for passage-based questions and a 5-step process for whole-text questions. Key aspects of the response include focusing on the key adjective in the question, using evidence from the text, and discussing the author's purpose and techniques with reference to language, structure, themes and a provided "HOW LIST".

1. English Literature: Heritage Prose – PASSAGE-BASED QUESTION
PROCESS:
1. Choose question.
2. Highlight key words from question, including the KEY ADJECTIVE. Mindmap the key adjective to
interpret it – cover it as fully as you can.
3. Depending on question, try to base your answer on 4-6 key points from the extract.
4. Highlight within the passage any words or phrases which support the requirements of the
question (referring to the KEY ADJECTIVE).
5. Write an essay plan:
4(1) Look to group related points – these may be based on the HOW LIST. Give each group a title.
4(2) Organise groups into a logical structure by numbering them – each will form a paragraph or
section of your response.
4 (3) Try to make links between the points you make with another aspect(s) of the story outside
of the exam-based passage.
6. Aim to write at least 5-7 paragraphs – a purposeful opening which sets the passage in context and
summarises the author’s overall purpose; 5 developed sections; and a conclusion.
CHECKLIST:
MENTION A KEY WORD (PARTICULARLY THE KEY ADJECTIVE) FROM THE QUESTION IN EVERY
PARAGRAPH.
PROVIDE EVIDENCE FROM THE TEXT FOR EVERYTHING YOU SAY – A QUOTE (...)
FOCUS ON THE AUTHOR’S PURPOSE AND THE WAYS THIS IS ACHIEVED.
Focus on the KEY ADJECTIVE
Refer to the HOW LIST HANDOUT.
MAKE SURE 4/5 OF YOUR ANSWER FOCUSES ON THE EXTRACT, WITH 1/5 COMING FROM THE REST OF
THE NOVEL TO SUPPORT THE POINTS YOU MAKE .
WHAT TO REVISE:
• The process (above)
•The HOW LIST HANDOUT
• Your notes
• Use the Past Paper Questions to practice planning your ideas.

2. English Literature: Heritage Prose –WHOLE-TEXT QUESTION
PROCESS:
1. Choose question.
2. Highlight key words from question. Mindmap the key adjective to interpret it – cover it as fully as
you can.
3. Depending on question, use the HOW LIST to identify 4-6 key pieces of evidence that support the
requirements of the question. Alongside each, summarise the author’s purpose and how it is
achieved (referring to the question and the HOW LIST).
4. Write an essay plan. Organise your 4-6 points into a logical structure by numbering them – each
will form a paragraph or section of your response.
6. Aim to write at least 5-7 paragraphs – a purposeful opening which refers to the question and
summarises the author’s overall purpose; 4-5 developed sections; and a conclusion.
CHECKLIST:
MENTION A KEY WORD FROM THE QUESTION IN EVERY PARAGRAPH.
PROVIDE EVIDENCE FROM THE TEXT FOR EVERYTHING YOU SAY – A QUOTE (...)
FOCUS ON THE AUTHOR’S PURPOSE AND THE WAYS THIS IS ACHIEVED.
Focus on the key words from
the question Refer to the HOW LIST HANDOUT.
WHAT TO REVISE:
• The process (above)
•The HOW LIST HANDOUT
• Your notes
• Use the Past Paper Questions to practice planning your ideas.

3. THE HOW LIST
The Higher Tier asks ‘HOW’ questions. ‘HOW’ questions ask about the WRITER’S TECHNIQUE to achieve a
PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
HOW a writer achieves a PARTICULAR PURPOSE can be analysed by commenting on LANGUAGE and STRUCTURE.
LANGUAGE TECHNIQUES WHICH YOU CAN COMMENT ON:
1. Words and phrases used to describe:
• Movement/body language
• Physical appearance
• Facial expressions
• What is said
• How it is said
• How the character influences other characters
• Other characters’ perceptions of them – what they think or say about them
• The setting in which the character is seen
• Their views/opinions/values/thoughts
• How they relate and react to other characters
• How they react to a particular event
LINK TO WRITER’S PURPOSE
2. Linguistic features:
• Short sentences
• Punctuation
• Metaphor
• Simile
• Emotive language
• Words with positive/negative associations (connotations)
3. Speech - how rhetoric is used by a character to influence/persuade others:
• Rhetorical questions
• Personal pronouns – ‘We’, ‘Our’, ‘You’ etc
• Direct address
• Emotive language
STRUCTURE FEATURES WHICH YOU CAN COMMENT ON:
1. How a character’s role/personality changes throughout the novel.
2. How the setting changes.
3. Plot development.
4. How a particular atmosphere is built up within a scene/across the novel e.g. Tension.
5. How a theme is developed within a scene/across the text.
6. How dramatic irony is used within the novel to position the audience.
7. How symbolism is used within the novel to present character/themes.
8. The importance of a particular scene in relation to the rest of the story – what it reveals/implies.
9. The use of contrast throughout the novel/scene to highlight character traits/conflict.

4. KEY ADJECTIVES
You need to make sure that your response addresses the key adjective contained in
the question.
These are the most common ones:
• important
• significant
• revealing
• powerful
• moving
• vivid
• disturbing
• shocking
• horrifying
In answering the question, make sure that you know what the KEY ADJECTIVE
means and how it can be interpreted.
Mind map possible interpretations of the KEY ADJECTIVE before you start planning
your response.