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Topic vs line of inquiry?
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All Flashcards in Topic 5.2
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5.2.110 cards
Topic vs line of inquiry?
A topic names what you'll discuss; a line of inquiry is your argument about it.
What must the line of inquiry cover?
Both works — the literary and the non-literary.
Why do you need one?
It keeps the oral focused (Criterion C) — otherwise it's a list.
A line of inquiry argues…
HOW each work explores the global issue.
Must it be developable?
Yes — rich enough to sustain ten minutes of analysis.
What does every point in the oral do?
Develops the line of inquiry.
Which criterion does it serve most?
Criterion C — focus and organisation.
The commonest weak IO?
One built on a topic, not an argument — it becomes a list.
How specific should it be?
Specific enough to argue, broad enough to develop for ten minutes.
Line of inquiry in one line?
One developable argument about how both works explore the issue.
5.2.210 cards
What connects the two works?
The global issue — the bridge you cross on every point.
Weave or stack?
Weave — move between the works point by point.
Why avoid ‘five minutes each’?
It produces two separate talks, not one connected argument.
What language connects the works?
‘Similarly’, ‘by contrast’, ‘where the novel…, the campaign…’.
Which criterion does connecting serve?
Criterion C — focus and organisation.
How should you organise the oral?
By points about the issue, each crossing both works.
The IO version of ‘two mini-essays’?
Doing all the literary work, then all the non-literary work.
What often differs between the works?
The literary and non-literary work treat the issue differently — say why.
What should each point cross?
Both works.
Connecting the works in one line?
Issue as bridge; weave the works point by point.
5.2.310 cards
The five parts of the IO structure?
Open, extract 1, extract 2, widen to whole works, conclude.
How long is the opening?
About one minute — issue + line of inquiry.
How long per extract?
About 2.5 minutes of close analysis each.
What is the ‘widen’ section?
Stepping out to how each WHOLE work treats the issue.
Why signpost?
So the examiner can follow — it shows control (Criterion C).
The commonest structural failure?
Running out of time by overspending on the first extract.
Which criterion is structure?
Criterion C — focus and organisation.
What does the conclusion do?
Says what the two works together reveal about the issue.
How do you avoid running out of time?
Time each section and rehearse the whole to length.
Structure in one line?
Open → extract 1 → extract 2 → whole works → conclude, signposted and timed.
Topic 5.2 study notes
Full notes & explanations for Building your oral
English A Lang & Lit exam skills
Paper structures, command terms & tips
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