SPM Literature In English (SPM 2008-2010)

Due to popular request, I have decided to dedicate a post to Literature in English (SPM 2008-2010). Please note that the previous Literature posts were only applicable for 2005, 2006 and 2007 candidates. You may of course, view them for comparison purposes and such.

FORMAT PENTAKSIRAN KESUSASTERAAN DALAM BAHASA INGGERIS SPM 2008/2009/2010
Snow
Literature in English
Marking Scheme/ Guideline
2008-2010

KESUSASTERAAN DALAM BAHASA INGGERIS
SENARAI KARYA BAGI PEPERIKSAAN SPM TAHUN 2008, 2009, DAN 2010

Novel
Fahrenheit 451 (Ray Bradbury)
Fasting, Feasting (Anita Desai)
Holes (Louis Sachar)

Drama
Julius Caesar (William Shakespeare)
The Lion and the Jewel (Wole Soyinka)
An Inspector Calls (J.B. Priestly)

Short Story
Naukar (Anya Sitaram)
Cinderella Girl (Vivien Alcoc)
The Landlady (Roald Dahl)
A Common Story (Kassim Ahmad)
Neighbours (Robert Raymer)
Harrison Bergeren (Kurt Vonnegut Jr. )

Poetry
Theme: Relationships
Tonight I Can Write (Pablo Neruda)
Ways of Love (Chung Yee Chong)
A Prayer for My Daughter (Yeats)
The Way Things Are (Roger McGough)
For My Old Amah (Wong Phui Nam)
How Do I Love Thee? (Elizabeth Barret Browning)

Theme: Perceptions of Self
Birches (Robert Frost)
I Am (John Clare)
This Is A Photograph of Me (Margaret Atwood)
Waiting to Go On (Hugo Williams)
Daring Tears (Craig Romkema)
The Traveller (Muhammad hj Salleh)

Theme: Conflicts
Dulce et Decorum Est (Wilfred Owe)
The Man He Killed (Thomas Hardy)
Death of A Rainforest (Cecil Rajendra)
The War Against Trees (Stanley Kunitz)
A Quarrel Between Day and Night (Omar Mohd Noor)
"Crabbed age and youth cannot live together "(Shakespeare)


Examination Format
The candidate is asked to choose one question from each component.

Section A:
There are 6 texts to be studied. Only 4 short stories will be selected for testing each year. Each short story will be tested individually. The candidate is required to answer ONE out of the four questions.

Section B:
There are 3 texts to be studied. All 3 novels will be selected for testing each year. Each novel will be tested individually. The candidate is required to answer ONE out of the three questions.

Section C:
There are 3 texts to be studied. All 3 plays will be selected for testing each year. Each play will be tested individually. The candidate is required to answer ONE out of the three questions.

Section D:
There are 3 themes to be studied. All 3 themes will be selected for testing each year. Each theme will be tested individually. The candidate is required to answer ONE out of the three questions.

Extra Answers

• Candidates are allowed to answer two or more questions from each component.
• The examiner will chose the highest marks that the candidate has attained for ONE question.
• A single question comprises of three sub-questions. They are to be considered as a whole and not to be counted as separated questions.
• No extra marks will be given for any additional answers.
• No extra marks will be awarded beyond the maximum marks cited.Illogical/irrelevant information may be ignored by the examiner.
  

Section A: Short Stories [25 marks]

I. Text Comprehension. (Maximum of 5 marks)

1. First point given.
2. Appropriate supporting information given.
3. Second point given.
4. Appropriate supporting information given.
5. Third point given.
6. Appropriate supporting information given.
7. Overall understanding.
8. Language. (None of the common mistakes as stated.)
   

II. Plot Expansion. (Maximum of 8 marks)

1. Basic description correctly given based on the short story.
2. First point given.
3. Appropriate supporting information given.
4. Second point given.
5. Appropriate supporting information given.
6. Third point given.
7. Appropriate supporting information given.
8. Fourth point given.
9. Appropriate supporting information given.
10. Overall contribution of stated event/incident/occurrence/etc to the plot.
11. Writing techniques used by author given.
12. Language. (None of the common mistakes as stated.)
    

III. Evaluation and Understanding with Reference to the Text. (Maximum of 12 marks)

1. First point given based on story.
2. Appropriate supporting information given.
3. Second point given based on story.
4. Appropriate supporting information given.
5. Third point given based on story.
6. Appropriate supporting information given.
7. Fourth point given based on personal ideas.
8. Appropriate supporting information with reference to the text.
9. Fifth point given based on personal ideas.
10. Appropriate supporting information with reference to the text.
11. Sixth point given based on personal ideas.
12. Appropriate supporting information with reference to the text.
13. Overall understanding.
14. Language. (None of the common mistakes as stated.)
    

Section B: Novel, Section C: Drama, and Section D: Poetry are all worth 25 marks each. The guidelines for answering is the more or less the same as Section A.

All the best.

P/S: Literature in English actually has quite easy texts, contrary to popular belief. It's easier and more interesting than that dry novel some of you have to do for normal English, The Return. Give it a try. = )