The English Literature

The English language/ Literature

This subject tests candidates’ capacity to handle the language both at the receptive and productive levels. They test their ability to comprehend the input, mainly the written word, their mastery of the grammar and communicative skills as evidenced in their written work as well as their ability to respond to literary cues and to express their response in an intelligible and effective way.

Three papers are offered as follows; Paper 101/1 Tests creative and functional writing, cloze test and oral skills; Paper 101/2 Tests summary writing, comprehension and grammar and usage; Paper 101/3 Tests literary knowledge and ability to present clearly argued points in response to questions. Let’s expound on Paper 101/3.

At the onset, the student is presented with three main sections, all on essay writing. The first section is based on imaginative writing that comprises: narrative, argumentative, descriptive and expository compositions. Any two questions are tested from these four. A candidate has to pick one.

In the narrative composition, a candidate is to provide a credible and logical account/story based on a particular title, event, proverb and an opening/ ending sentence that must logically flow into the essay. Besides a variety of sentence constructions, suitable level of vocabulary used, proper tense, and accuracy in word spelling, an overall impression of the candidates’ work should stand out.

Argumentative composition entails a set of questions involving an internal debate with self. When planning to write this piece, it is a good idea to use an introduction, have `a for and against’ approach and then, a conclusion. For your work to reach the highest marks, you will need to have considered both sides of the argument. Start your writing with your strongest argument, written in a short, punchy style. This way, your audience should immediately be interested and engaged. Next, you should write all the counter arguments. These should be presented as positively and strongly as you can, so that they sound convincing to the reader, and so that you are seen to be fair. A sophisticated approach is to cast a little doubt on the counter arguments by using phrases such as ‘people say’ or ‘according to…’ as this will make these arguments sound more subjective. You should finish by reinforcing your case with your most compelling argument. Addressing the reader/audience directly, confronting them with the choice between the two sides is a powerful way to finish.

On expository essay, issues we are currently facing are likely to be examined on. Give an introduction that enlightens the topic or casts more light or history of the issue. The body is likely to delve deeper into the details, causes, effects and the resolutions to the issue at hand. A concluding paragraph gives the way forward or a closing remark.

Descriptive composition tests on describing a process and static writing. On former, write a brief introduction, mentioning the process and its importance, giving the main steps or stages in the process; details on the steps; and a short conclusion on the final process of the product. Static description describes people, objects and places. In giving details, it should appeal to the five senses.

Section two deals with an essay on one of the compulsory set texts. For now, there is The River and The Source and The Caucasian chalk circle.

Section three deals with essays from three optional set books: currently, The Whale Rider, The Betrayal in the City, and When the Sun Goes Down and other stories. A candidate picks any one.

Section two and three test on relevance of set titles, thematic concerns, features of language use and characterization. A Candidate must introduce, develop topical sentences that are well illustrated and crowned with a clincher, and finally, supply a related conclusion to the topic in question.

Last but not least, this paper carries sixty marks. Let us have as many writing tasks as we can handle.
Report by Martin Kim F4 2014.