specification overview
OCR GCSE English Literature (J352) is a single-tier linear qualification with two closed-book written papers. Component 01 (Exploring Modern and Literary Heritage Texts) is 2h and 80 marks (50%); Component 02 (Exploring Poetry and Shakespeare) is 2h and 80 marks (50%).
subject content
1. Modern Prose or Drama
Component 01- Choose one modern text: Anita and Me, Never Let Me Go, Animal Farm, An Inspector Calls, DNA, Leave Taking
- One question in two parts: (a) compare an extract from your studied text with an unseen extract from a modern text of the same genre; (b) a related question on your studied text
2. 19th Century Prose
Component 01- Choose one 19th-century novel: Great Expectations, Pride and Prejudice, The War of the Worlds, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Jane Eyre, A Christmas Carol
- One question from a choice of two: an extract-based question linking to the whole text OR a discursive question
3. Poetry across Time
Component 02- Studied poetry from one OCR anthology (Love and Relationships OR Conflict OR Youth and Age)
- One question in two parts: (a) compare a named anthology poem with an unseen poem on a linked theme; (b) a related question on a different poem of your own choice from the same cluster
4. Shakespeare
Component 02- Choose one from: Romeo and Juliet, The Merchant of Venice, Macbeth, Much Ado About Nothing
- One question from a choice of two: an extract-based question linking to the whole text OR a discursive question
assessment structure
| Paper | What's assessed | Length | Marks | Weight | Question types |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Component 01 (Exploring Modern and Literary Heritage Texts) | Modern prose or drama + 19th-century novel | 2h | 80 | 50% | Section A: modern prose or drama (40 marks) - one question in two parts: (a) compare an extract from the studied text with an unseen extract from a modern text of the same genre, and (b) a related question on the studied text. Section B: 19th-century prose (40 marks) - one question from a choice of two: an extract-based question linking to the whole text OR a discursive question. Closed-book |
| Component 02 (Exploring Poetry and Shakespeare) | Poetry across time (studied + unseen) + Shakespeare play | 2h | 80 | 50% | Section A: Poetry across time (40 marks) - one question in two parts: (a) compare a named poem from your OCR anthology cluster with an unseen thematically linked poem, and (b) a related question on a different poem of your own choice from the same cluster. Section B: Shakespeare (40 marks) - one question from a choice of two: an extract-based question linking to the whole text OR a discursive question. Closed-book |
OCR's distinctive feature is unseen material in both components: Component 01 Section A pairs an extract from your modern text with an unseen extract from a same-genre modern text, and Component 02 Section A pairs a named anthology poem with an unseen poem on a linked theme. Each of these 40-mark questions is split into two parts. Both papers are closed-book. The OCR anthology has 3 collections; students study one.
assessment objectives
| AO | What it means | Overall |
|---|---|---|
| AO1 | Read, understand and respond to texts with an informed personal response. | 40% |
| AO2 | Analyse the language, form and structure used by a writer to create meanings and effects. | 40% |
| AO3 | Show understanding of the relationships between texts and the contexts in which they were written. | 15% |
| AO4 | Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuation. | 5% |
key tips for success
Learn quotes cold for all 4 texts
Both papers are closed-book. Learn 20-30 short quotes per text (character, theme, key moments) across the four studied texts.
Master anthology + unseen comparison
Component 02 Section A pairs an anthology poem with an unseen poem on a linked theme (40 marks). Practise a comparison structure that works even when you've never seen one of the poems.
Practise extract-to-whole-text technique
Every text has an extract question that launches a wider theme essay. Practise linking extract detail to broader themes across the whole text.
Learn 3-4 context points per text
AO3 is 15% and rewards contextual understanding: Shakespeare (Elizabethan), 19th century (Victorian), modern (post-war Britain, class, gender). Learn 3-4 key context points per text.
Structure essays with PEEL
Every literature essay needs: Point (interpretation), Evidence (embedded quotation), Explanation (analysis of technique + meaning), Link (to question). Drill until automatic.
Time-box carefully
Both papers are 2 hours split evenly between 2 sections (40 marks each). Roughly 55-60 minutes per section, including planning + writing + check.
Where to next
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