Exam Tips

AQA Paper 1 Section A — Shakespeare. Use these tips to maximise your marks on the day.

⏱️ Time & Structure
  • You have approximately 50–55 minutes for the Shakespeare question — including reading time.
  • Spend 5 minutes reading the extract carefully and planning your response before you write anything.
  • Aim for 5–6 paragraphs: a brief intro, 2–3 paragraphs on the extract, 2 paragraphs on the wider play, a short conclusion.
  • Don't write a long introduction — get to your analysis as quickly as possible. Examiners want to see AO2 early.
  • Leave 2–3 minutes at the end to check spelling, punctuation and sentence structures (AO4 is worth 4 marks).
📝 How to Structure a Paragraph (PETER)
P
Point — Make a clear, focused point that directly answers the question. Avoid vague openings like "Shakespeare shows that…" — be specific from the first word.
E
Evidence — Embed a short, precise quotation. Avoid long quotes — one or two key words or a short phrase is more impressive than a full sentence.
T
Technique — Name the language technique (metaphor, personification, etc.) and explain precisely how it creates meaning. Don't just name it — explain the effect.
E
Effect — Explore the effect on the audience. Think about a Jacobean audience vs a modern one. Use phrases like "Shakespeare invites the audience to…" or "a Jacobean audience would have understood this as…"
R
Relate — Link back to the wider play or context. This is where you move from AO2 to AO3 and show the examiner you understand the bigger picture.
✅ What Examiners Want to See
  • AO1: A clear personal response that answers the question directly. Use phrases like "Shakespeare presents…", "this suggests…", "it could be argued that…"
  • AO2: This is worth the most — analyse language, structure and form. Don't just identify a technique; explain why Shakespeare chose it and what effect it has.
  • AO3: Weave context in naturally — don't dump it in a separate paragraph. Link it to the quote you are analysing. Jacobean attitudes, the Divine Right of Kings, gender expectations and witchcraft are the most useful contexts for Macbeth.
  • AO4: Write in clear, accurate English. Vary your sentence structures. Spell characters' names correctly (Macbeth, Banquo, Macduff — not Macbeth, Banqo, Macduf).
  • Explore alternative interpretations — phrases like "however, it could also be argued…" push you into Level 5/6.
🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid
  • Retelling the plot — never summarise what happens. The examiner knows the play. Every sentence must be analytical.
  • Quoting too much — a long quote followed by "this shows that Macbeth is guilty" is Level 1. Pick one or two words and analyse them closely.
  • Vague language techniques — avoid saying "Shakespeare uses language to show…" with no technique named. Be specific: "Shakespeare uses the metaphor of…"
  • Ignoring the question — re-read the question before every paragraph. Every point must link back to it.
  • Forgetting the wider play — the question always asks about the extract AND the whole play. At least two paragraphs must go beyond the extract.
  • Only writing about one character or moment — show range. Use at least 3–4 different moments from the play in your wider analysis.
💬 Useful Phrases for High Marks
Introducing analysis "Shakespeare deliberately uses…"
"The use of [technique] here is significant because…"
"This choice of language suggests…"
Exploring effect "A Jacobean audience would have…"
"This invites the audience to consider…"
"Shakespeare creates a sense of… through…"
Alternative readings "However, it could also be argued that…"
"A modern reader might interpret this as…"
"On the other hand, Shakespeare may be suggesting…"
Linking to context "In the context of Jacobean England…"
"Shakespeare's contemporary audience would have understood…"
"This reflects the Jacobean belief that…"
Wider play links "This is significant in the context of the wider play because…"
"Shakespeare revisits this idea in Act [X] when…"
"This moment foreshadows…"
Structural comments "Shakespeare uses the soliloquy form here to…"
"The shift from verse to prose signals…"
"Structurally, this scene marks a turning point because…"
🏆 What a Level 6 Answer Looks Like

A top-band answer is conceptualised — it has a clear argument running through it from the first line, not just a list of points. It uses quotations judiciously (choosing the most precise words, not the longest quotes). It analyses methods in fine-grained detail and links them convincingly to meaning, context and the play as a whole. It also considers alternative readings and shows awareness of Shakespeare as a writer making deliberate choices for a specific audience.

The difference between Level 4 and Level 6 is not how much you write — it is the depth and precision of your analysis.