Component ONE

VOICES IN SPEECH AND WRITING

40% OF TOTAL QUALIFICATION

Overview:

Written exam: 2hours 30 mins

Open Book - clean copy

Two sections - students must answer the question in Section A and ONE question on chosen drama text

Total of 50 marks available (25 marks for A and 25 marks for B)

SECTION A: Voices in 20th&21st century texts: one comparative essay question on one unseen extract selected from 20th/21st century sources adn one text from the anthology (AO1, AO2, AO3, AO4 assessed)

SECTION B: Drama Text: one extract-based essay question on chosen drama text (AO1, AO2, AO3 assessed)

In this component we will explore aspects of voice, and the factors that shape it.. Aspects such as:

● the importance of contextual factors in shaping the content of a text and the voices it contains

● the literary, linguistic and graphological conventions applied in a range of exemplar text types and the effects they produce

● the language choices made by writers or speakers in order to conform to (or manipulate) generic convention

● how writers and speakers use language to meet the expectations of audience and purpose

● the selection of evidence which links to a specific task

● the application of linguistic/literary terminology to the exploration of texts and to the examples drawn from these texts to evidence method and/or effect ● how central themes are established/signalled

● how a text is structured to meet the conventions of genre, the expectations of the audience and the objectives of the writer

● particular aspects of written style and dramatic method as established in the opening scenes of the set drama text

● the way the writer has conveyed a sense of authentic speech through written monologue or dialogue

● the way argument or conflict are conveyed in speech

● the way characters’ distinctive voices are conveyed

● how a playwright uses literary and language techniques to develop voice, character, plot and theme ● the application of linguistic/literary terminology to the exploration of the text and the quotations used to evidence method and/or effect

● the integration of literary/linguistic terms and integrating this effectively into a critical and analytical written response based on their set drama text.

The wording of the question:

Compare the ways in which the writers create a sense of voice as they present the problems faced by....

In your answer, you must consider linguistic and literary features, drawing on your knowledge of genre conventions and context.

What does a comparison question require you to do?
What does a sense of 'voice' entail?
What is meant by lingusitic and literary features?
What are genre conventions?
What context will need to be known for 20th and 21st Century texts?

What does a 'sense of voice' entail?

"sense of voice" refers to the unique and distinctive tone, style, and personality that the author conveys through their writing. It encompasses the way the author's voice comes through in the text, influencing the reader's perception of the author's attitude, emotions, and perspective. Here are some key aspects of a text's "sense of voice":

Tone: The tone of a text reflects the author's attitude toward the subject matter or audience. It can be formal, informal, humorous, serious, optimistic, pessimistic, and so on. The tone sets the emotional and rhetorical context for the text.
Style: The author's writing style includes choices regarding vocabulary, sentence structure, figurative language, and literary devices. A text's style can be descriptive, narrative, persuasive, poetic, or any combination thereof.
Personality: The sense of voice also conveys the author's personality. It may reveal aspects of the author's character, beliefs, biases, or values. This can be subtle or pronounced, depending on the author's intent.
Perspective: An author's voice can reflect their point of view or perspective on a topic. It may be objective and impartial, or it might be subjective and strongly opinionated.
Emotion: The author's emotions can be discerned through their voice. Whether they convey enthusiasm, anger, empathy, or indifference, these emotional cues are part of the sense of voice.
Narrative Voice: In fiction and creative writing, the narrative voice refers to the voice of the narrator or protagonist. It includes their character traits, speech patterns, and worldview, which shape the reader's understanding of the story.

Analyzing the sense of voice in a text involves closely examining these elements to gain insights into the author's intentions, message, and the impact they want to have on the reader. It's a crucial aspect of literary analysis, as it helps readers and scholars understand the text's deeper meaning and the author's artistic choices.

TASK on Voice HERE