English literature: grade descriptors for GCSEs graded 9 to 1
Updated 6 September 2017
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1. Grade 8
In relation to a range of texts, to achieve grade 8, candidates will be able to:
- sustain a convincing, informed personal response to explicit and implicit meanings of texts
- sustain a perceptive critical analysis of the ways in which writers use language, form and structure
- use judicious and well-integrated textual references to develop personal responses
- show perceptive understanding of how contexts shape texts and responses to texts
- make illuminating comparisons between texts
2. Grade 5
In relation to a range of texts, to achieve grade 5, candidates will be able to:
- develop a generally coherent and engaged response to explicit and implicit meanings of texts
- develop a clear understanding of the ways in which writers use language, form and structure
- use apt textual references to support responses
- use understanding of contexts to inform responses to texts
- make credible comparisons between texts
3. Grade 2
In relation to a range of texts, to achieve grade 2, candidates will be able to:
- make straightforward comments about explicit meanings of texts
- describe straightforward aspects of language, form or structure
- make general references to obvious details of texts
- show awareness that texts are related to contexts
- make basic links between texts