Gillian Chute Leaving Certificate English

English Paper 1 Analysis

✍️How much should I write for each section of Paper 1?

✍️For Comprehension Question A, aim to write between 3 and 3.5 pages of your exam booklet.

✍️For Question B, aim to write approximately 2.5 pages.

✍️For your Paper 1 Composition/Essay, aim to write between 4.5 and 5 pages.

✍️These are useful guidelines, but remember that quality is always more important than quantity. Focus on developing your ideas clearly, answering the question fully, and demonstrating strong language skills.

Best of luck with your exam! 🍀

✍️At what point should I do my unseen poem in the exam?
✍️ I advise my students to complete the unseen poem after they have finished their studied poetry essay. At that stage, they are already in “poetry mode”- they are thinking about poetic techniques, themes, imagery, and language. In other words, they are in the zone, so to speak, and are therefore more likely to produce a stronger response to the unseen poem.

✍️Remember, the unseen poem is worth 20 marks, which amounts to 5% of the overall examination. Put another way, it is worth approximately one-third of your Macbeth essay, so it deserves careful attention.

General Tip for English Paper 2

✍️When you walk into the exam and see the questions, don’t hit the panic button. Instead, take a moment and apply some logic to the situation.

✍️Remember, the exam questions can never be too specific. Take poetry, for example. Each poet on the syllabus may have 11, 12, or even 13 poems available for study. You might have focused on four poems in your class, while a student in another school may have studied a different four. Because of this, the question must be broad enough to apply across the poet’s work and be relevant to students from all schools.

✍️The same principle applies to the Comparative Study. There are many different text combinations being studied throughout the country, so the questions cannot be overly narrow or restrictive.

✍️Even with your single text, such as Macbeth, where the question may initially seem challenging or specific, it almost always comes back to character. You cannot effectively discuss themes, relationships, conflicts, or ideas without referring to the characters who drive them.

✍️So, bring a little logic and reasoning to your approach. Trust your preparation, think carefully about what the question is really asking, and don’t let first impressions overwhelm you.

✍️Most importantly, don’t hit the panic button.

How Much Should I Write for Each Section in English Paper 2?

As a general guide:

✍️Single Text (for most students, this is Macbeth): write approximately 4½ to 5 pages of your exam booklet.

✍️Comparative Study: write approximately 6 to 7 pages of your exam booklet.

✍️Studied Poetry: write approximately 4½ to 5 pages.

✍️Unseen Poetry: write approximately 1 to 1½ pages.

✍️Remember, these are only recommendations. The quality of your writing is far more important than the number of pages you produce. What matters most is answering the question effectively, supporting your points with relevant evidence, and developing your ideas clearly.

✍️Also keep in mind that average handwriting typically contains 8 to 10 words per line, so the number of words you fit onto a page can vary from student to student.

✍️How should you approach English Paper 2?

✍️Always begin with your strongest question. Starting with the question you know best gives you confidence and creates a positive start to the exam. It also ensures that you secure the highest possible marks in the area where you are strongest.

✍️If you leave your best question until the end, you risk rushing it or not giving it the attention it deserves.

✍️After completing your strongest question, move on to your second-best question, and then finish with your third. This approach helps you maximise your performance across the paper while managing your time effectively.

✍️How should you approach English Paper 1?

✍️First, begin with your comprehension. English Paper 1 is the very first exam of your Leaving Certificate English, so nerves are natural. The comprehension section gives you the advantage of working from someone else’s writing, which can help you settle into the exam calmly and confidently.

✍️After completing the comprehension, move straight on to your Paper 1 essay. This section is worth 25% of the overall marks, so you simply cannot afford to leave it unfinished. Your priority should be making sure that your essay is fully completed and developed.

✍️That leaves Question B for last. This is not because it is unimportant — it still carries 12.5% of the marks — but because the comprehension and the composition are the two most substantial sections of the paper.

So, the ideal order is:

Comprehension

Essay

Question B