Revision Guide

GCSE DRAMA

REVISION GUIDE

Revision Guide

Drama Revision Booklet

Section A

Question 1:

Make sure you have LEARNED your answer to question 1.

Use the following check list and starter sentences

Theme: One piece of practical work I completed was a piece of devised work called

……. This was about ……..

Genre: The genre of the piece was ……………

Style: The style of this piece was a mix of naturalistic and non-naturalistic.

Period: The piece was set in the …………….

Target Audience: Our target audience for this piece was our peers.

Performance space – Remember Drama Studio – end on stage We performed in the

drama studio on an end on stage

Your contribution: My own contribution to this piece was as an actor.

Technical elements: For our piece we used a simple lighting setup such as a general

wash and we used music at…………………………..

Three sentences to describe with dramatic objective

Now write your answer and learn it!

Revision Guide

Preparing for Question 2 and 3

Fill in this diagram to show how you DEVELOPED your ideas and then improved

them.

Initial ideas

Development

Development

Development

Improvement

Improvement

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0uestion 2: Explain

Explain the nature of the activity done.

What did you do?

What character did you play and what dramatic skills did you bring to the character?

Mention the different aspects of the character. Voice, movement, facial expressions.

E.g. I was unsure of the character I was playing so I used role on the wall, hot seating, I prepared a monologue so that I could develop my character further.

Read the question if it says ‘how did you?’ it means YOU! so use the term I! If it says ‘how did your group?’ it means WE/OUR.

You need to give a specific example in this question so relate it to your piece/ back to your character.

Ideas to use

Monologues/ Duologues: voice: Pace, pitch, power, pressure, and pause.

Interaction with other characters: levels/ status

Space on the stage: getting from on scene to the next

Multi rolling: changing characters on the stage.

Creating of mood/ atmosphere. How did you explore this?

Remember: HOW AND WHY ARE VERY IMPORTANT

Q2: Explain ~ Revision Activity

What character did you play and what dramatic skills did you bring to the character?

What techniques did you use and why?

How have you used movement?

How have you used facial expressions?

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Question 3: Analyse

This is commenting on the later stages of your work.

You need to be specific to the piece that you are doing. So there needs to be a connection between the question answered and your piece.

This question maybe about team work, but it may be about your own work. READ THE QUESTION.

Make sure you are supporting your answer fully with how and why.

Do not comment on line learning, people being absent, cancelled rehearsals and personality clashes as this is irrelevant. Be productive. So refer to moments such as…

o Characterisation/demands of the role. o Vocal skills. o The creation of specific effects for an audience o Sharing decision making o Shaping, refining, discarding or polishing the work in the final stages of

preparation. o The team approach to the resolution of problems or the creation and

resolution of ideas.

How and why? Relate it back to your final piece…. Why are you doing it… what are you trying to achieve?

Q3: Analyse Revision activity

How have you changed your piece?

How has your group resolved problems?

How have you created specific effects for your audience?

How have you shared your decision making?

How have you overcome a problem?

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Specific examples

You must have at least three specific examples you can refer to in your answers.

These need to be specific, so the examiner can imagine the performance even

though they haven’t seen it.

You also need to justify all the decisions you have made.

Use the charts below to prepare your specific examples.

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The moment: Explain the moment clearly, putting in context to plot and theme – don’t just say “the mining scene

Objective of the scene: How does it support the objective of the whole piece?

Physical detail – detailed enough so I can see it

Where on stage/other characters

Body Face Voice

Justification – what were you trying to show?

Audience response

Your response

Revision Guide

The moment: Explain the moment clearly, putting in context to plot and theme – don’t just say “the mining scene

Objective of the scene: How does it support the objective of the whole piece?

Physical detail – detailed enough so I can see it

Where on stage/other characters

Body Face Voice

Justification – what were you trying to show?

Audience response

Your response

Revision Guide

The moment: Explain the moment clearly, putting in context to plot and theme – don’t just say “the mining scene

Objective of the scene: How does it support the objective of the whole piece?

Where on stage/other characters

Body Face Voice

Justification – what were you trying to show?

Audience response

Your response

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Question 4

This will always ask you to evaluate.

Think about evaluating in terms of what you were hoping to achieve

You are talking as if you are now looking back on it and reflecting on it.

How did you feel you succeeded?

Good or not good. Make it specific. What were your strengths weaknesses? How does your final performance meet your personal aims?

Pick out specific moments and talk about the strengths / weaknesses. In relation to the following aspects:

o Audience reaction o Recognition of the creative journey o Team work o Level of commitment o Improvement of identified skills / performance.

Write clearly and be very specific and READ THE QUESTION!

Q4: Evaluate Revision exercise

What went well in your final performance?

What needed to be improved in your final performance?

What were your aims and did you achieve them?

How have your skills improved since you started?

What would you do next time?

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Make sure you have one moment you are pleased with that you can write about.

The moment: Explain the moment clearly, putting in context to plot and theme – don’t just say “the mining scene

Objective of the scene: How does it support the objective of the whole piece?

Physical detail – detailed enough so I can see it

Where on stage/other characters

Body Face Voice

Justification – what were you trying to show?

Audience response

Your response

Revision Guide

Remember to use the key word from the question to make your answer relevant.

As our dramatic objective was………………………… I was pleased/disappointed with my

performance. I felt I was able to…………………………………………………………..One moment

where I felt I engaed the audience/showed my potential/ entertained the audience (key

word from the question) was……………

Revision Guide

Working thorough an examination question

Use the following exercise to help you prepare for an actual Section A Question,

Choose a piece of practical work of which you were proud. You must answer the questions that follow from your experience as an actor or designer or technician.

1. Describe what the piece was about including the style, performance space,

period and genre. State what theatrical skill you contributed to it. (10 marks)

Answer the following questions:

a. What was the play called?

b. Was it devised or scripted?

c. What style/s did you perform in?

d. Why did you choose to perform in this style?

e. What was it about?

f. When was it set?

g. What genre was it?

h. What made you proud about your performance?

i. What research did you do?

j. What stimulus material did you use?

k. Describe the performance space (Drama Studio)

l. Describe your set (rostra/ chairs/ props)

m. Who did you play?

n. Describe your character

o. What else did you do to get the play together that made you proud?

Now put your answers together to construct your essay – ensuring you are answering the

question (10 mins)

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2. Explain what it was about your contribution that made you proud. Give details

of at least one aspect of the performance in support.

Answer the following questions and explain why you felt proud about the

work you did:

a. Give details of one way in which you helped your group to develop your

piece

b. Explain who your character was

c. Explain what the status of your character was

d. If you played more than one character explain how you made them look

different to the audience

e. Explain how you used your voice during a section of the play

f. Why did you use your voice in this way?

g. Describe your body language during a section – why did you do this?

h. Explain how you showed what your character was feeling by the facial

expressions you were using

i. Explain how you helped to create the right atmosphere for the audience

in this section – was it comedy? Tension? Fear?

j. Explain how you helped to create the location or setting of the play

k. Explain how you wanted the audience to feel during and after you had

performed the play.

l. Give an example of how you performed on stage with the other members

of your cast

m. What was it about all of the above that made you proud?

Now put your answers together to construct your essay – ensuring you are answering the

question (10 mins)

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3. Analyse the work by identifying at least one key section of the piece that

developed in rehearsal and provide details of at least one occasion where

progress and improvements were made.

Answer the following questions about the work you did:

a. Name a part of your play that your group struggled in getting on it’s feet

b. Why do you think this was difficult?

c. When you showed this section to your teacher in the lesson what did he (or

other students) say about it?

d. Why do you think they said this?

e. In the next rehearsal what did you do to improve this?

f. What did you find difficult about playing your character?

g. How did you improve your vocal skills?

h. What improvements did you make to the way you used your body language?

i. What did you do to make the transitions (movements between scenes)

clearer?

j. During one section of your piece how did you want your audience to feel?

k. Give an example of how you worked during rehearsal to achieve this

l. Give an example of a section that you thought improved the most in

rehearsal

m. Why did this section work so well in performance?

Now put your answers together to construct your essay – ensuring you are answering the

question (10 mins)

Revision Guide

4. Evaluate what you learnt from the experience of working from this piece. Give

details of your own strengths and/or weaknesses in this piece

Answer the following questions about the work you did:

a. What character did you play in the piece?

b. Name something that you did to develop your character that you had not

done before

c. Name one way that you worked with another actor on stage to show your

characters

d. When did your group rehearse the play

e. What did you do in these rehearsals?

f. How could you have worked better together to get the piece to performance

standard?

g. How did you support each other in rehearsal?

h. What effect were you trying to create for your audience?

i. Do you think you achieved this?

j. What else could you have done in performance to help you and your group

achieve this (give clear examples)

k. What do you think was the best part of your performance?

l. How could you have used your voice better to create the atmosphere/mood

you were trying to achieve – volume, pace, clarity, articulation)

m. How could you have used your movement/ body language better to achieve

your intentions for the audience?

n. What have you learnt from this experience?

Now put your answers together to construct your essay – ensuring you are

answering the question (10 mins)

If you can answer all these questions for the four sections you should be

able to complete a good answer for whatever question comes up in the

exam (for Section A)

Revision Guide

Section B:” Teechers” or “ The Exam”

Remember you answer Question 5 and 6 OR Question 7 and 8

Think about 5 being like one and two in Section A

05: Research

Rehearsal

Other preparation

Application to the role

Think about 6 being like question 3 and 4 in Section A06: Analysis

Ability to analyse and evaluate the effectiveness of the skills required.

Ability to analyse and evaluate the effectiveness of the production

Talk about your role

You need to know the background of the play and the characters so make sure you revise the context sheet.

You are NOT ALLOWED to take the play into the exam so you must revise specific scenes from the play. Also try to memorise some of the key lines within the extracts this will help you achieve higher marks when talking about how you would perform a line if you can refer to it.

What you did – Quote ------why you did it-----------how you did it.

Think about Audience intentions. What are you trying to create for your audience? What

The actual moments from the script/ the words spoken/ the stage directions/ the themes/ the story. This is what you did.

Why

Creating tension/ atmosphere/ showing the relationship between characters/creating a climax/ showing the characters emotions. This is why you did it

How

All to do with your acting skills, so talk about your acting skills. Voice, movements, levels, facial expressions/ space. This is how you did it.

Revision Guide

Background Context for “Teechers” John Godber

Remember context is only useful if it helps you make meaning. Don’t mention facts and figures unless you can explain how they influenced your performance. ‘Teechers’ is a play within a play. Three year 11 students put on a performance for their teachers. School leavers, Salty, Hobby and Gail Saunders perform an account of their time in High School (given the name ‘Whitewall’ for their performance). They were particularly inspired by their time with Mr. Jeff Nixon, the new drama teacher who ignited their passion for the stage with his idealism and belief that all children should be treated equally. At the end of the play ‘Mr Nixon’ leaves Whitewall High School to teach at St George’s, another school with a much better reputation. John Godber wrote social commentary’s and this play sought to comment on the education system. Although Teechers was written in the 1980s it retains its political and social relevance. Many of the issues raised within the play are still current in contemporary schooling. Characters Ian “Salty” Salt: A school-leaver, bright and fresh-faced, rather dirty in appearance (also plays Teecher B, Jeff Nixon, Pete Saxon, Oggy Moxon, Derek Basford, Mr Hatton and Deanie) Lilian “Hobby” Hobson (also plays Mrs Cordelia Parry, Ms Jones, Mr Basford, Ron, Simon “Piggy” Patterson, Oggy Moxon and Mrs Clifton) Gail Saunders: Loud mouthed, bossy and full of enthusiasm (also plays Teacher A, Ms Maureen Whitham, Oggy Moxon, Mr Basford, Miss Jackie Prime, Barry Wobschall, Dennis, Doug and Mrs Coates) You would need to write your interpretation of the characters you play for example Mr Nixon.

Background context for “The Exam” Andy Hamilton

‘The Exam’ is a comedy about three teenagers who have to muddle their way through the

ordeal of a high pressure exam. The Exam is a funny but serious look at the pressures faced

by pupils today, both at school and at home. Andrew, Chas and Bea are three candidates of

mixed ability who find themselves holed up in the same exam hall waiting for their papers to

arrive. As the wait lengthens, each has to survive a powerful barrage of self-doubt, parental

pressure and adult incompetence. They must come to terms with themselves, their peers

and parents provoked and helped by ’Ex’, the mysterious, disembodied voice of the exam.

Bea is an academic high flier who is feeling imprisoned by other people’s expectations.

Chas – a chaotic underachiever who is haunted by the unhelpful ghost of his absent minded

father.

Revision Guide

Question 5

State the title and the playwright

Give a brief explanation to what the play is about.

What character did you play?

Tell us about the character.

What extract did you do?

What did you do? (The actual moments from the script/ the words spoken/ the stage

directions/ the themes/ the story. )

Useful Quotes

How did you say them? What did you do? (Voice, movements, levels, facial expressions/

space.)

Why did you do it? (Creating tension/ atmosphere/ showing the relationship between

characters/creating a climax/ showing the characters emotions )

Revision Guide

Question 6

What were your strengths in the final performance?

What did you need to improve on?

If you did it again what would you do better?

What did you do? (The actual moments from the script/ the words spoken/ the stage

directions/ the themes/ the story. )

Useful Quotes

How did you say them? What did you do? (Voice, movements, levels, facial expressions/

space.)

Why did you do it? (Creating tension/ atmosphere/ showing the relationship between

characters/creating a climax/ showing the characters emotions )

Revision Guide

Final reminders

Answer ALL questions in section A. (4 questions).

Section A should be on a devised piece of work.

Answer TWO questions in section B. Both 05 and 06 OR both 07 and 08.

Section B should be about A script you have studied

You are not allowed to take your books in so make sure you learn at least two of the extracts and learn some of the lines.

Do NOT answer section C.

Make sure you are specific to the work that you are doing.

Be precise and get straight to the point. Don’t waffle!!

Remember to always say WHAT you did, WHY you did it and HOW you did it.

Write down notes on the question paper before you start, then tick them off as you use them. It will make you think about what you are writing and whether the question asks for that information.

READ THE QUESTION

Other Useful Revision

YouTube has some really useful clips with a teacher working through the exam. Make sure

you look at AQA Drama and Section A and B.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aDey_x7Zs0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slE-eUB0w8M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kv0e1wtPHac

The AQA Website has all the past papers. There are also students answers and examiner’s

reports which are really useful.

http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/drama-and-performing-arts/gcse/drama-4240

Revision Guide

AQA GCSE Section A – The question in this section of the examination is compulsory and it

is split into four parts – Each question begins with a KEY word – But what is the difference?

Sometimes people find it hard to differentiate between these words and work out what

they are being asked….

Explain:To examine in detail in order to discover

meaning, essential features, etc

This question will normally ask you to EXPLAIN some

aspect of the rehearsal or development process – such

as: The challenges you encountered, how you worked

with others, how your character, plot, performance,

scenes developed, skills required at different points in

the process. So say what you were doing, what you

were trying to achieve and Why?. Tell the examiner

What? you did and Why?

QUESTION 1

Describe: To say or write what someone or

something is like.

Typically the first question will ask you to DESCRIBE:

Style, genre, narrative, what the play is about,

themes issues, plot, setting, staging, technical

elements, and intensions of the writer or yourselves.

Try to give comments in support of your description

– eg – we used thrust staging the audience was on

three sides and close to the action.

Evaluate: 2. To judge or determine the significance,

worth, or quality of; assess: to evaluate the results of an

experiment. So this is easy right? You evaluate your work all

the time… remember to focus on specific moments – what

you were trying to show: age status, relationship, period,

place… and how you were implementing your skills – physical,

vocal, interaction to do this! Give detailed examples and say

why successful, worked, was effective, did….really well,

communicated, conveyed …. What would you do differently?

Big you and your group up! Don’t be shy! Careful check focus

of question does it say YOU or YOUR GROUP ???? remember

to mention how your acting was supported by the addition

Of tech elements too!

Analyse: To examine in detail in order to

discover meaning, to break down into

components or essential features. This question

might also ask you to Analyse one aspects of the

rehearsal or development process – how you

worked together, problems encountered and

overcome, character, relationships, interaction,

creation of mood and atmosphere and so on….

Key to this is breaking it down and looking at it

critically. Why did some rehearsals go better than

others? Why did one technique work better?

Revision Guide