Literature Paper 1 — Section B: A Christmas Carol essay

What you need to know (A Christmas Carol)

• Quote revision is essential (AO1): revise in pairs/groups so you can reference flexibly.
• For each quote: plan 3 critical comments on effects (AO2).
• Authorial intent (AO3) should be woven through your argument: message → method → audience impact.

Common mistakes

• Turning it into a plot summary (AO1).
• Only describing Dickens’ ideas without analysing methods (AO2).
• Dropping context facts (workhouses/poverty) without linking them to Dickens’ purpose (AO3).
• Using vague language: “makes the reader think…” without what they think and why.
• Ignoring the question focus (e.g., writing about Scrooge when the question is on the Cratchits).

Self-check

• I have a clear argument about Dickens’ message.
• I’ve selected quotes that are short enough to analyse properly.
• Each paragraph includes at least one method (contrast, symbolism, narrative voice, structure).
• I link AO3 to Dickens’ intent (what he’s criticising / persuading the reader to do).
• My conclusion links back to the question and Dickens’ overall purpose.

Support videos

• Mr Bruff (A Christmas Carol) search: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=a+christmas+carol+gcse+mr+bruff
• Mr Salles (A Christmas Carol grade 9) search: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=a+christmas+carol+gcse+mr+salles

Practice

• Past paper practice + mark scheme: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse